Flat Top Acoustic Guitar, made by Stromberg-Voisinet, c. 1929, made in Chicago, natural lacquer with decal applique finish, mahogany body, poplar neck with pearloid fingerboard, original black chipboard case.
The Stromberg-Voisinet company of Chicago are better remembered for what they became (the company was renamed Kay around 1930) than what they produced, particularly as most of their instruments are unbranded. This fancifully decorated Hawaiian scene guitar is typical of their later 1920s product, easily identified by the distinctive scooped half-slotted headstock. These were likely intended as good student grade Hawaiian guitars, but by now most (including this one) have been adapted for standard play.
This is certainly a striking instrument visually with a full-length pearloid fretboard and matching pickguard, fancy three-point pyramid bridge and superb colorful Hawaiian scene decal covering much of the top. The all-solid mahogany body is trimmed with colored wood marquetry on the top and soundhole edges, bound in white celluloid. The poplar neck has a medium "V" profile with white binding around the celluloid fingerboard. . These guitars are reasonably well built, to a price of course but solider than some! They are fairly nicely finished externally while more roughly made internally, comparable in bracing layout to period Oscar Schmidt guitars if a bit sturdier all around. This is a lovely looking instrument, a great conversation piece but playable as well, a neat piece of colorful 3-D guitar history that's not adverse to honking out some old blues, Hillbilly or Hawaiian tunes on demand.
Overall length is 37 1/4 in. (94.6 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 1/4 in. (616 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This is a more playable example of this style guitar than most, with a recent neck set and fret crowning. That said, it won't replace anyone's Martin! The neck is not perfectly straight but is functional, and the guitar is playable over the full length of the neck without undue effort. There are no cracks apparent; the all-original finish has dings, dents and scrapes as well as some small paint spots on the top but overall is still quite attractive.
The original carved bridge has been off and on again and there are small screw marks above the endpin from an ancient tailpiece once added and then removed. Overall we'd rate this as a fun "display-and-play" piece, a fun and better-than-many example of a cool and colorful decorated guitar. It sounds better than one might expect and still rests in its original chipboard case. Overall Excellent - Condition.
