1920s Oscar Schmidt Stella Flatback Mandolin
While simple in specs (this is solid birch throughout the body and top), this Stella-branded Oscar Schmidt build has the "gold celluloid" purfling and binding style found on their fancier Sovereign-branded guitars that often came with koa bodies. It has a cool "cream celluloid" fretboard as well.
It's got a woody, mellow, relaxed tone that carries decently but it has a shorter scale length so bluegrass or old-time "choppers" will probably want to avoid it. For those playing folksy, old-timey, or bluesy stuff, though, it's pretty slick and fun.
I previously sold this back in 2023 but the owner traded-over to a different instrument through me. Along with that original sale, I had added a K&K pickup so this is gig-ready now, too!
Repairs included: a fret level/dress, side dots, cleaning, restring, bridge compensation, and setup.
Weight: 1 lb 10 oz
Scale length: 13 1/4"
Nut width: 1 3/16"
Neck shape: medium C
Board radius: flat
Body width: 9 1/2"
Body depth: 2 1/2"
Top wood: solid birch
Back & sides wood: solid birch
Bracing type: ladder
Bridge: rosewood/ebonized maple
Fretboard: maple w/pearloid veneer
Neck wood: poplar
Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 36w-10
Neck relief: straight
Fret style: low/small
Condition notes: it's original throughout save a few replaced/missing dot inlays in the fretboard, added side dots, and an original bridge that's been modified to be compensated and raised slightly with a shimmed bottom. It also has a K&K Twin Spot acoustic pickup installed. There's one smaller (2-3") hairline crack that was repaired before it arrived here on the back. The frets are low and small so if you don't like a "vintage feel" to your neck and frets, you may want it refretted. The tuners are also a little fussy, but that's par for the course with old mandolins and they're far better than your average bowlback/flatback tuners from the time.
It comes with: an old hard case, presumably original or at least period.
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