Today was able to get some time with my former Strad-O-Lin and compare it to my current one. The biggest difference as seen in the photos is width. The 1941 blonde is 10" wide. The sunburst is 9 3/4". It looks more significant in person. Also, the upper bout is shaped differently. Oh, and the headstock sides are tapered different. Both have inlaid purfling on the top. 1941 has a rosewood fretboard. Reading about another one on Jack Wildwood's site, I am leaning towards dyed maple on the sunburst. Bridges also different. Sunburst has a fairly thick base and ends are notched. 1941 has a more typical SOL thin base.
The blonde has a laminate back and possibly sides, sunburst is solid back. That pattern is matched on the inside. Sunburst has changed tuners to old Waverly. Blonde is presumably original.
Looking at these details really makes me believe that they were made by different factories. Against that is the neck heels and shape feel nearly identical. Same style construction with single brace approximately under the bridge.
Sound? Well, pains me to say it, but the blonde has the edge. Maybe more than a little. A bit fuller sound while the same volume. Not that the current one is bad. Just the 1941 has some magic to it.
Enough talk - here are some photos.
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