1920s Stromberg-Voisinet (Kay) 2-Point Flatback Mandolin

Overview: Years ago, I worked on Kay/SV models like this all the time. This is the best-preserved example of one of these that's come through the shop so far -- it has all of its original tuners extant and working and still has its pickguard, too. These were made in the mid-'20s when Kay was still called Stromberg-Voisinet, though the body shape morphed a bit and became the familiar "Kay Kraft" look of the company's '30s mandolins. This version is like a typical flatback of the time -- with a canted, bowlback-style top and flat back. Tonewise, it will do well for Celtic/old-time/folksy ramblings.


Interesting features: It's got a solid spruce top over solid birch back and sides. The neck is poplar and the fretboard is ebonized maple or pearwood. I like the two-ply binding used throughout and the "pegged-in" pickguard is a neat touch. The bridge on it may be original and if so, it's original throughout.


Repairs included: Jose gave it a level/dress of the frets, filled/repaired a slightly-open center seam, set it up, and added side dots. I think there may have been a couple back braces that got reglued as well. It's now playing spot-on and sounds nice and folksy.

  • Weight: 1 lb 11 oz
  • Scale length: 12 7/8"
  • Nut width: 1 1/8"
  • Neck shape: medium C
  • Board radius: flat
  • Depth at first fret: 7/8"
  • Depth at seventh fret: 1"
  • Body width: 9 3/8"
  • Body depth: 2 1/2"
  • Top wood: solid spruce
  • Back & sides wood: solid birch
  • Bracing type: ladder
  • Bridge: rosewood
  • Fretboard: ebonized maple
  • Neck wood: poplar
  • Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall treble (fast, spot-on)
  • String gauges: 36w-10
  • Neck relief: straight
  • Fret style: low/small

Condition notes: It's in quite good shape for its years. There's obvious wear and tear throughout the finish -- weather checking, light scratches and scuffs, and a dark spot from where the bridge sat (in the wrong place) for years -- but it doesn't have any cracks that I've found aside from the center seam repair. The tuners are a little fussy but hold.


It comes with: I believe it has an old chip case.


Consignor tag: NLJH

















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Comments

Bob said…
Small typo on the scale length there! (missing digit) ;-) On mine, with correct intonation at the octave, the base of the bridge is right at the bend in the top, 12 3/4 in. from the nut, but the top of the bridge measures an even 13 in. from the nut, because it is tipping toward the tailpiece. But it is stable. It's also a simpler bridge than the one on this mandolin, only 4 in wide.
February 25, 2025 at 9:02 PM
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