Vintage 1920's Era Stromberg Parlor Acoustic Guitar

Stromberg-Voisinet and Kay Musical Instruments

The Groeshel Mandolin Company was established in Chicago in 1890. In 1921, the company was renamed to Stromberg-Voisinet. In 1923, Henry Kay Kuhrmeyer joined the company. He later became president. In 1928, with help of an investor, bought the company. The new company, "Kay Musical Instruments" was formally established in 1931 from the assets of Stromberg-Voisinet.

Stromberg-Voisinet primarily manufactured mandolins, tenor guitars, tenor banjos and 6-string guitars under its own brand as well as a large number of other brands, as Stromberg-Voisinet was an OEM supplier to many other manufacturers.

Stromberg-Voisinet has a special place in guitar history. Stromberg-Voisinet produced the first commercial electric guitar, the Stromberg Electro, in 1928. Stromberg-Voisinet only produced approximately 640 guitars.

Stromberg-Voisinet is particularly well-known among serious students of stringed instrument design for its unique “Venetian” body shape, which was used for its mandolins, tenor guitars and 6-string guitars.

This is an antique 1920's Stromberg-Voisinet era Parlor Guitar w/original chipboard case. This one particularly has a few notable features versus other similar Stromberg guitars of this era which were produced with the Hawaiian motif:
- This one only has a partial motif painted on the top. The rest did not wear off, as there is no evidence of excessive wear on that part of the guitar.

- The Hawaiian Parlor guitars usually came with a pickguard. This one does not have one, nor are there any signs or indications that there ever was a pickguard installed.
- This one has what appears to be an ebony fretboard, which the Hawaiian Parlors produced by Stromberg generally came with a maple fretboard.
- On the back of the headstock, there is a stamped design which is not consistent with other production Stromberg guitars of this era. The only instruments that were found to have had this stamp were Stromberg's Mandolins that were manufactured in the 1910's.

- This also comes with the original chipboard case that also has some unique case candy; hand-written lyrics or notes of the original owner that appear to be at least 70-80 years old.

- Pictures denote wear and blemishes associated with an instrument that is nearly 100 years old. If you would like more detailed pictures of specific areas, please ask.

Don't miss your chance to own (and play!) a unique piece of music history!!!