Rare 1920s Oscar Schmidt Stella Soprano Banjo Ukulele with Original Handmade Case

Check it out. A real piece of American folk art...

I was in New Bedford, Massachusetts to check out some vintage 1960s Japanese guitars... but I stumbled on this instead. A wicked cool 1920s Oscar Schmidt "Stella" Banjo Uke made in New Jersey. It is really a piece of Americana. 

The banjo head is decorated with the Greek letters "Ο Π Σ"' Omecron Pi Sigma. I can find no information about this fraternal organization.

What's really cool is it is signed on the top and underside of the banjo skin with names like Dick T, Reg, Betty A, "Deck" Wise, Henry Pratt, Scarry Ann and Dick DuckDoodle. Too cool for words! This one really has a story to tell but I am afraid it is probably lost to history... a true piece of musical folk art.

People love these little guys because they have a distinctly woody, warm, old-timey sound that's in direct contrast to a lot of period banjo-ukes which can be brash and to bright. They're very easy on the ears in almost any player's hands and they're also closer to the weight of a regular soprano uke. And this one plays like dream.

This uke has a 13 1/4" soprano scale length and a slightly wider, more Hawaiianish (if that's a word) string spacing at the bridge. The strings are fluorocarbon Martin M600s. I replaced the original friction pegs with a vintage set of NOS Grover Champion No. 85s...

It's a damn cute uke and I'm pretty sure the wood is mostly poplar. It still has the original tailpiece, too... this part is usually in banjo heaven.

You will not find one much more rare and exceptional than this one... Sweet!

Check out the pics... I took 'em myself... they tell the rest of the story!

Shipping quoted is to you in the CONUS, as always... The case is the original handmade wood case that is very cool but needs restoration.

Hey make me an offer... I just might take it. Ya never know!