1930s Oscar Schmidt "Tuxedo" Parlor Guitar

This guitar was made in the mid to late 1930s at the Ferry Street Oscar Schmidt factory judging by its build style, though it was likely during the "transitional" period from after the factory was "truly" Oscar Schmidt and the guitar business was being run as Fretted Instruments Manufacturers (FIM). It seems like some of the more "confusing" Schmidt-a-likes were probably made by this entity -- see here and see here -- and I've been getting a bit of schooling on this history (thank you, folks!) recently.

Suffice to say, just like a "normal" Schmidt, it makes a great, woody-sounding, folksy-picking, blues guitar. It's got that "honk" and a midsy, mellow "clunk" that suits old-fashioned styles really well. My guy Ancel did almost all of the work on this one and it turned-out great, as you'd expect. It plays well, has plenty of saddle height for adjustments down the road, and looks snazzy in its black/white trim and faux (painted) brown "binding" at the edges which match the fretboard and bridge.

Repairs included: a neck reset, replacement bridge, fret seating and level/dress, hairline crack repair, seam repair, new bone nut and saddle, setup, etc...

Weight: 3 lbs 4 oz

Scale length: 24 1/4"

Nut width: 1 11/16"

Neck shape: medium V

Board radius: flat

Body width: 13 1/8"

Body depth: 3 5/8"

Top wood: solid bich

Back & sides wood: solid birch

Bracing type: ladder

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: ebonized maple or similar

Neck wood: poplar

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 54w, 40w, 30w, 22w, 16, 12 custom lights

Neck relief: the teensiest upbow tuned to pitch, essentially straight

Fret style: low/small

Condition notes: it's actually in pretty good order for its age with only a thin hairline crack on the lower-bout marring that surface. The finish shows tons of weather-checking, however, throughout and minor wear and tear, too, to the edges and headstock. The bridge is a brand new Madagascar rosewood one which replaces a junker original of the same shape. The frets are low but serviceable and the tuners are slightly-cranky old stuff but they hold just fine.

It comes with: an original, really-beat chip case best used for storage or very light use.