Clean and in pretty Fine condition - while I am not sure I Think this could be a Stella from around 1910 - 1915.
I won't say "mint" because I know just how "Finicky" (I'd like to say something else) some bidders can be - expecting a 90 year old guitar to be in MINT condition....for half of what it's worth .... so I'll just say it's in Fine condition....given its age ...... ( and leave it at that ) ......
It has very nicely figured and HAND-SAWN solid mahagony back and sides - if you look closely into the sound hole picture you can see the saw marks.
Fairly good - reasonably low action - look at the pictures. About 1/8" off the 12th. fret. You could make it lower by sanding down the original (Brazilian) rosewood PYRAMID bridge if you like... but I like it just the way it is.
The mahogany body gives this guitar a fantastic VERY BLUESY and TWANGY vintage tone. I strung it with Martin Marquis Silk & Steel .0115's so that you can play it right out of the box. NO belt rash - the finish is about 80 - 85% perfect - there is age crazing - as is expected on a guitar this old - and there is finish missing (pick wear) below the high E as there never was a pick guard.
THIS GUITAR IS CLEAN and NICE and plays really well and looks great - I just pray that the person who wins it can appreciate just what good shape it's in...... for basically what's a 100 year old guitar.
The tuners have hard rubber knobs, and even some of the original brass luster on the plates - which have never been cleaned.
The (BRAZILIAN) rosewood fretboard is like new - no wear whatsoever. The fretboard is very hard and beautifully grained rosewood. (I say Brazilian rosewood - because of the age of this guitar.) Three MOP position markers on the fifth, seventh & ninth frets.
The mahogany neck has an extremely high median ridge - much like the Gibson guitars from this pre WWI era.
The original turned ebony end pin has a MOP dot inlay - see picture.
The Bridge pins are also Ebony - but I don't think they are original.
There are nicks and scratches in the original finish. There was a center seam crack below the bridge which was professionally cleated several years ago. This guitar rings like a bell, projects very well for its small box size.
Warm rich tone because of the spruce top and mahogany body.
Oh by the way - the kerfing is also mahogany. The guitar is very well made - there is absolutely no separation of the top or back - it is as tight as it was when it was originally assembled (in Jersey City New Jersey - by the Oscar Schmidt Company - if this is indeed a Stella)
My wife is on me to begin getting rid of some of my mandolin and guitar collection - so keep your eyes on me as I will be putting up quite a few vintage archtop guitars and antique mandolins in the next year or so.
This is a nice looking and easy playing 100 year old acoustic parlor or blues guitar (YOUR CHICE).
Bid you won't be disappointed.
Sorry only US bidders - no foreign bidders - so please don't ask - I am begging you - that includes north and south of the border.
I will ship either USPS or UPS ground - depending how close / far you are from me in the continental US.
I ALSO ACCEPT US POSTAL MONEY ORDERS - but for the life of me - I am having trouble indicating this today (definitely getting old - and this darn computer is giving me a hard time).
If you want to pay by US POSTAL MONEY ORDER - just let me know at the end of the auction - and I will provide my address.
THANKS & GOOD LUCK ALWAYS,
Phil
On Nov-15-08 at 09:04:50 PST, seller added the following information:Every day I learn something new....
a very knowledgeable guy out there wanted me to tell you Stella "officianados" that the top's (sound board's) kerfing is in fact rectangular in shape, solid, and made of mahogany .... and is not tapered - nor is it sawed part way through - like the back's kerf (as seen in the one picture).
Just another thing that may tip the scale in favor of a Stella attribution.
Caveat: While rectangular top kerfing was not used exclusively by Oscar Smight during this timeframe - it is another small "check in the box" for a Stella attribution.