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Hello all,
I found an S. S. Stewart A-style mandolin from 1920 on Facebook Marketplace. It's listed for $200 marked down from $1500. Caught my eye. Anyone know anything about these? Particularly if this is a good deal or not and what the sound may be like.
--Sam
Stewart branded mandolins were built by several manufacturers over a considerable period of time, and vary quite a bit in appointments and build quality.
Without pictures, it is not possible to say anything further.
If the one you're referring to is the oval hole instrument in NY state, it appears to be a Chicago built instrument. My guess is that it was built by Regal. The Stewart name was owned by Buegeleisen and Jacobson [B & J] at the time this instrument was built.
These Chicago built flatbacks, when in good repair, typically have what I describe as a clear sound, with good sustain. Some of them are more powerful than one might think. The sound is very different from that of a typical modern f-hole mandolin-- less percussive, considerably more sustain, and a tone that might be described as more lyrical.
At any rate, if this one is in playable condition and doesn't need a lot of work, I would call $200 a friendly price.
I am playing a B & J vended Regal made mandolin right now- and its tone and volume are great. It was branded as a Serenader and has a red spruce top. B & J sold its guitar "big brother" version as well and those sell for high prices when retailed- they appear under both the Serenader and S S Stewart brand and were made in the very early 1930s. It has seen some life and has a crack on the top but it is a good instrument. Post some photos of your mandolin.
Attachment 201768
The S.S. Stewart name was put on instruments built by several builders. Post a picture.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mandolinian
<img src="https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t45.5328-4/283345577_4693167244121060_4680871022540152375_n.p ng?stp=dst-png_s960x960&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c48759&_nc_ohc=c4sPPbtFFaoAX-NYZID&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AT97hq2QEJIbtYSQbsdU1cyq-qLWBpQNd5we7zB0Jf8M6A&oe=62C03523" alt="No photo description available."/>
Here's a picture.
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Attachment 201769
Here's a picture.
The mandolin is listed in Rock Tavern, NY but the seller lives in Fort Worth, Texas? Curious.
There is another item that's listed in Rock Tavern, NY so it may just be that he moved, but wasn't able to take all of his stuff so he's selling it, and his relatives or friends will take care of the hand-off.
I cannot discern the wood used from that photo but this model was sold by a fair few third parties as well as Regal branded through music shops for about 15 years from circa 1920 to about 1935. As we can't see the back of the headstock we don't know if it has recessed tuners behind a plate or exposed strips .Here is one: https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/20...-flatback.html
While you are at his site click on Museum and then Regal and scroll down to flat back mandolins- he has one sold under the Washburn 2424 brand and a fancy Bruno but I have a feeling those two are a bit Ritzier than yours but that is typical of this mandolin type- it was sold at a number of price points depending on the wood used and the appointments added to them.
Sounds like you got a great deal. Enjoy!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mandolinian