Oscar Schmidt Sovereign Jumbo 12-String c 1930 | HOLD | (c2002) This Sovereign began life as a 6-string, but was converted, quite nicely, to a twelve somewhere along the way. The Sovereign brand was the top of the Schmidt line, and typically made with quality materials and careful craftsmanship. The six-to-twelve conversion was actually quite simple - fill the six tuner holes, and re-drill for a set of 12-string tuners. This method allows for the guitar to be converted back to a six string, and still retain its originality. Both Schmidt six and twelve string jumbo guitars are coveted in the market, and very rare.
This guitar is a replica of the iconic Lead Belly 12-string, built in the Schmidt factory in 1935, at the same time we believe this guitar to have been built. Note that the Lead Belly 12 and this example both have the position dot at the 9th fret instead of the usual 10th. This change happened in the mid-thirties as the Schmidt factory was about to undergo new ownership.
The body is made from a quality grade of mahogany, with a spruce top. Top, back and sound hole are bound in white celluloid and trimmed with the fancy 'Lead Belly' marquetry. The back strip is finished in the same trim. The neck is mahogany with either ebony or 'ebonized' maple fingerboard. The headstock has a Brazilian rosewood overlay, topped with the 'Sovereign' metal plaque. The tuners appear to date from the 1960s. The pick guard is a reproduction of the style used on many Schmidt instruments in the early days of the twentieth century. The bridge is a replacement, likely maple painted black, with a somewhat compensated saddle. The tailpiece is the stud type found on vintage instruments, and may be of the period, but not original to this particular guitar, since it was originally set up with a pin bridge.
The auditorium-size body measures a full 15 3/4" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 26 3/4". The neck has a 'C' carve, and is full in the hand, but not baseball-bat size. Action is set at 7/64".
In addition to the above mentioned changes, there is an old impact repair on the upper treble side which is repaired and stable. There is about a six inch seam separation in the lower back. The guitar appears to have had a neck reset at some point, and there is a thin overlay on the bridge plate which covers the bridge pin holes. There are a few nicks from use and playing, but overall a dapper looking guitar.
The guitar plays easily, and produces the thunderous tone that the jumbo 12s are noted for. This is a solid guitar that plays easily, and provides a chance to get that sound for half the price of what a Stella jumbo 12 commands in the market today.
Comes with a hard case.
Check the sound clip.
This guitar is a replica of the iconic Lead Belly 12-string, built in the Schmidt factory in 1935, at the same time we believe this guitar to have been built. Note that the Lead Belly 12 and this example both have the position dot at the 9th fret instead of the usual 10th. This change happened in the mid-thirties as the Schmidt factory was about to undergo new ownership.
The body is made from a quality grade of mahogany, with a spruce top. Top, back and sound hole are bound in white celluloid and trimmed with the fancy 'Lead Belly' marquetry. The back strip is finished in the same trim. The neck is mahogany with either ebony or 'ebonized' maple fingerboard. The headstock has a Brazilian rosewood overlay, topped with the 'Sovereign' metal plaque. The tuners appear to date from the 1960s. The pick guard is a reproduction of the style used on many Schmidt instruments in the early days of the twentieth century. The bridge is a replacement, likely maple painted black, with a somewhat compensated saddle. The tailpiece is the stud type found on vintage instruments, and may be of the period, but not original to this particular guitar, since it was originally set up with a pin bridge.
The auditorium-size body measures a full 15 3/4" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 26 3/4". The neck has a 'C' carve, and is full in the hand, but not baseball-bat size. Action is set at 7/64".
In addition to the above mentioned changes, there is an old impact repair on the upper treble side which is repaired and stable. There is about a six inch seam separation in the lower back. The guitar appears to have had a neck reset at some point, and there is a thin overlay on the bridge plate which covers the bridge pin holes. There are a few nicks from use and playing, but overall a dapper looking guitar.
The guitar plays easily, and produces the thunderous tone that the jumbo 12s are noted for. This is a solid guitar that plays easily, and provides a chance to get that sound for half the price of what a Stella jumbo 12 commands in the market today.
Comes with a hard case.
Check the sound clip.