Oscar Schmidt Stella Banjolele

What I have invited this time is an original Oscar Schmidt Stella Banjolele that was made in New Jersey in the 1930's, (or maybe even the 1920's?) and it arrived on a next day post before I could write anything in anticipation of it coming! So it's here and is very nice and very light for a Banjolele. It's largely original though it does have some interesting new amber tuners on, (but a good job has been done of fitting them and the look very nice). It doesn't say Oscar Schmidt on the pole but there is no doubt in my mind. its clearly vintage and definitely not a Harmony from when they brought the Stella brand name. It's quite small as well as light, with a 336mm, (13¼ in), scale. It has a couple of metal bands around the drum to strengthen it which is how the drum wood is so thin and the Banjolele weighs so little. Also it is, and always was, open backed so no resonator to add to the weight. The one problem, and its not really a problem, is the previous custodian was left handed so I'm going to have to re string it the right (handed) way round before I can play it. Really not a problem though as they never did anything with the nut to make it left handed. I did put new string on though as it came with a cheap feeling nylon set and I prefer Fluorocarbons.

Now I can play it, I find that it is not overly loud for a Banjolele and has a good balanced manageable tone; I am very happy with it.