The Oscar Schmidt produced Stella line of guitars from the 1920's are quite exceptional instruments, known amongst collectors and players fortunate to find them. We are pleased to have this mid 20's Stella concert guitar, featuring the rare and ornate Tree (or Vine) of Life inlay pattern in the fingerboard. Sometimes these would be branded under Galiano, this example with an internal Stella label.

Ladder braced construction with a well aged Spruce sound board and very straight grained Mahogany back and sides, it has a robust, slightly more lively tone than one would necessarily expect. The basses speak well with good balance and volume, the trebles sing with a nice punchy tone, and overall this guitar is an exceptional fingerpicker.

The top is fully bound with a combination of in tact celluloid and marquetry (see photos), multi band rosette, and ornate rosewood bridge. The top has a well repaired center seam crack. Some typical surface wear is present on the top, sides and back, but overall it is in a fairly clean example.The lower bout measures 13.5" across at the lower bout, 7.75" at the waist, and 9.75" at the upper bout. It measures 3.5" in depth at the butt end, and 3.25" deep at the heel.

The neck set is strong and yields good playability. It is currently strung with silk and steel strings, with very action that measures a comfortable 4/64" in height at the twelfth fret, the saddle lowered, but with a decent break angle. The saddle itself is not making great contact with the bottom of the slot, but yields great playability and low action. The bound fingerboard is clean overall with very clean inlay, and original frets, which are pretty leveled in an expected, comfortable and very playable fashion. It has a bit of buzz in the upper registers due to the fingerboard extension having some higher frets - something best left addressed by the next owner. It is constructed with a 24.75" scale length and a 1.75" nut width. The binding has been touched up throughout, but is hardly noticeable, maybe most at the nut. Original open gear tuners present and functional.

Includes era correct chipboard case.