Can anyone please help to identify this? Thanks

[hsimon46]

Hi. I have an older instrument -- possibly 1920's to 1930's American -- that I'm hoping someone can help me identify. The label is mostly gone, but what's left may provide some clues. Thanks!

-H

[Mark Gunter]

Looks as though the neck may be twisted a bit to the treble side, but may just be the photo perspective.

I have very little knowledge, and the label is illegible, but there are some folk here who may be able to help you by looking at the label + the shape of the scratch guard + the tuners. Take a photo of the back of the instrument, as well as a close up of the tuners on the back of headstock, and maybe someone will chime in with info.

[hsimon46]

Thanks, Mark. Here are some additional photos.

[allenhopkins]

I'm guessing Supertone, like this one Jake Wildwood shows. Supertone was a label used by Sears Roebuck for catalog sales of instruments, often made by the major Chicago makers like Regal.

Just a guess; others with more knowledge are free to contradict me.

[hsimon46]

That looks right -- thanks, Allen! The one Jake Wildwood shows looks like a pricier instrument, with nicer purfling, etc., but the headstock, body shape and some other aspects of the two instruments are pretty close to identical. A knowledgeable friend thought mine would have been sold as a starter instrument, which fits with all I've seen.

Thanks again -- I love a mystery solved!

-Howard