1920s Stromberg-Voisinet Guitar

Stromberg-Voisinet was one of numerous companies that built fretted instruments in Chicago in the early part of the 20th century. Like Regal, Harmony and most of their other competitors, Stromberg-Voisinet made relatively inexpensive instruments that were designed to be sold through catalogs. 1920s Stromberg-Voisinet instruments were very well made, given their cheap prices, and they generally had a unique approach to design. Today’s Catch was made sometime in the mid-1920s, at the height of America’s infatuation with all things Hawaiian. (You can read how Stromberg-Voisinet became Kay in 1931 here.)

Along with the colorful tropical image on the top, this model sports a matching celluloid fretboard and pickguard as well as some elegant multi-colored purfling. I’ve always liked the look of the Stromberg-Voisinet headstock with its closed back, but I do have to say that even though it has a tidy appearance the design does make restringing a bit of chore. This guitar has ladder bracing, as do many of the catalog guitars made in Chicago in the 1920s, which gives the guitar a bright, dry tone that is well suited to bottleneck blues. Quite a few early blues guitarists played ladder braced guitars and when old photos turn up, like this great shot of Charley Patton, the performer is usually holding a Stromber-Voisenet or a Stella.

This guitar looks to be in excellent condition. The top, back and sides are made of solid mahogany and look to be free of cracks and major scuffing. This particular guitar has recently had its neck reset and a new, intonated bridge made for it, which should help it play in tune with good action, which makes it’s $749.99 price a great deal. If you’d like to add this beauty to your collection I know the good people at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar would be happy to help you out.

Click here for the original listing.