1930s Slingerland Songster Archtop Guitar

Slingerland Songsters tend to be cool, punchy, choppy, great-looking guitars once they're done-up in the repairs department. This one is no slouch and hangs right in there in a jam -- it's got nice cut and a woody, poppy sound to it.

While some folks insist that Slingerland made most of their instruments, I know that for a fact almost all of their guitars, mandolins, ukes, and whatnot were made by other makers -- Regal, Harmony, Kay, and Oscar Schmidt each had their hands in different models that the company sold and the Slingerland versions are just changed from normal models for the companies in appointments and finish.

Because of the 25" scale length, neck shape, odd body outline, and various details, I am pretty sure that these were made by whatever firm took over the Oscar Schmidt factory once that company went belly-up in the late '30s as these details match some of the output from that time. The f-hole outlines are the same cut as those used on the obviously-Schmidt-made, violin-shaped Sovereign guitars of the '30s, too. This is a cut that I don't see on any other make, though many are similar. The little "curly eye segments" at the end of the f-shape are the giveaway. Compare and you will see what I mean, hopefully.

At any rate -- all of that doesn't matter too much as it's branded Slingerland and is a fairly fancy model for the brand. Ancel did a bunch of work on this one and, as such, it's now playing fast and easy and is ready to serve. It cuts and snaps like a good, upper-mid-range archtop should and it looks good while doing it!

Repairs included: a neck reset, fret level/dress, replacement bridge, seam and neck joint repairs, cleaning, and setup.

• Weight: 4 lbs 9 oz
• Scale length: 25"
• Nut width: 1 3/4"
• Neck shape: med-big V
• Board radius: 20"
• Body width: 15 3/4"
• Body depth: 3 5/8"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: ply flamed maple
• Bracing type: tonebar
• Bridge: rosewood adjustable
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: maple
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 54w-12 lights
• Truss rod: none (or non-adjustable)
• Neck relief: essentially straight (hair of relief at pitch)
• Fret style: wider/lower

Condition notes: it's mostly original, though the nut, endpin, and bridge are replacements. The finish has wear throughout -- small scratches, nicks, dings, weather-checking -- etc. -- it does not look bad but it's there -- check the pics! The veneer on the back of the guitar has some hairline cracking in the middle and you can push it a bit with the finger at the edges of this cracking. It's not going anywhere -- it's just that some of the outer-layer of the ply has come a little unglued and is "wavy" in the middle of the back. The pickguard has some damage near its L-shaped attachment bracket.

It comes with: sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: MM