Authentic 1930s “Lead Belly Model” Stella Jumbo 12-String

This is the only true Lead Belly 12-string guitar I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been studying and buying pre-war 12’s for over four decades. It’s 99% exactly like Huddie Ledbetter’s iconic 12-string. Same everything... marquetry, tailpiece, neck, body shape, woods, mid-30’s nitro finish, fret markers etc. The one difference is that it has a brass “Sovereign” headstock nameplate rather than a “Stella” embossment.

Made during the same time period as Lead Belly’s, 1935-36, and like his, it’s one of the last 12-strings produced by the famous factory.

This is a BIG guitar! The lower bout spans 15 13/16”, the upper bout is 12”. The body is 21” long, and is 4 1/8” deep at the tailpin and a hair under 4” deep near the neck joint. It has the long 26 5/8” scale so it’s meant to be tuned-down 4-5 steps, and boy does it rattle and roar when you do! Total length is 41”.

Action is superb. The fat mahogany neck is beautifully straight and very comfortable; 1 7/8” wide at the nut. Gorgeous mahogany back and sides, and a solid spruce top. Multi-colored wood marquetry around the top edge and center strip on the back - same pattern as Lead Belly’s. Brazilian Rosewood headstock veneer. This was a high-end Stella! Ladder-braced. Tuned down 4 or 5 steps as it should be, it’s got that deep Lead Belly piano “rumble”.

The pickguard is an accurate cellulose nitrate repro add-on (which could be cleanly removed if desired). I’ve been told the bridge is original but the drop-in saddle makes me think it could be a replacement. The tuners are period-correct but not original. There’s a skilled repair of impact damage on the upper side bout. There are “amateur” fret markers on the side of the fretboard at the 5th, 7th, and 9th frets. There is a slight separation along the marquetry on the back. There is a tight and stable hairline crack on the fretboard. There’s very slight wave on the top, typical of antique ladder-braced guitars, which doesn’t affect anything. It has the weather-checking, scratches and dings you’d expect after 85 years.

Comes in a good-fitting modern hardshell case.