1900s Oscar Schmidt Bowlback Mandolin




If the "OS" monogram in the pickguard didn't convince you that this is an Oscar Schmidt built, this instrument's narrow profile, hefty neck, and extra-hefty bracing and kerfing on the inside might. A local customer brought this in for work and it has some odd features that deviate from "normal" Schmidt profiling -- the headstock has a curious "volute" on its rear and an odd shape and the detailing on the edges and binding is a little more upscale than normal.

Said binding was missing a lot of its white celluloid inlay, so I replaced a bunch of that and then blended it in during repair. Other work included side dots install, a fret level/dress, regluing of seams and braces along the treble side top edge, compensation and recutting of the bridge, general cleaning, and a good setup. It has a straight neck and plays bang-on at 1/16" at the 12th fret, strung with the GHS A240 32w-9 set of strings.

Scale length: 13 1/4"
Nut width: 1 1/4"
String spacing at nut: 1 1/16"
String spacing at bridge: 1 5/8"
Body length: 12 3/4"
Lower bout width: 7 1/4"
Side depth at endpin: ~5 1/4"
Top wood: solid spruce, canted
Back/sides wood: solid Brazilian rosewood
Neck wood: mahogany
Bracing type: ladder
Fretboard: rosewood, very plain
Bridge: replacement maple/plastic (1960s Harmony bridge)
Neck feel: medium C/D shape, flat board








The tuners are non-original but 1920s/30s in era. They work pretty well, though.

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