S.S. Stewart Model Tiple, most likely made by Regal, c. 1927, made in Chicago, natural finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, black tolex original hard shell case.
A relatively deluxe Chicago-made Tiple, built of mahogany and spruce but with fancier ornamentation than the similar Martin T-18. Top is multibound with white celluloid; rosewood fingerboard has pearl dot inlay.
In this period the S.S. Stewart name was owned by New York jobber B & J, and used by them as a flagship line for their best "House Brand" instruments. Most of these were built by Harmony and/or Regal in Chicago, but some ukuleles were sourced to Martin and banjos to Gibson and Majestic.
This particular tiple is very good sounding and well made, not quite up to Martin standards perhaps, but certainly worthy of the comparison.
Overall length is 27 9/16 in. (70 cm.), 8 7/8 in. (22.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 17 in. (432 mm.).
All original. Some light wear overall, one repaired back crack, and a piece of the overhang on the back of the bridgetop missing.
Excellent playing condition, sounds great. Original deluxe HSC is in extremely good condition. Excellent Condition.
