Paddy Burgin
From:
New Zealand
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Posted 30 Apr 2007 1:28 am |
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I have an eighty year old Hilo guitar for sale. It's thought to have been made by legendary guitar maker Oscar Schmidt in New Jersey in the late 1920s, and brings to life the lutherie and music of another age. The rope bound style 640 Hilo has been lovingly restored by Burgin Guitars in New Zealand (www.burginguitars.co.nz) who make guitars for players such as David Lindley. We are selling it for US $1800, including shippling and insurance anywhere in the world.
The guitar was discovered partly strung in a neglected condition, still in its original leather case along with a handful of vintage packets or strings, and a well worn steel. These items are included in the sale price. We believe the old timer was last played in the 1950’s.
The deco Hilo label inside bears the stylised palm fronds, little surfer dude, and the serial number 3483.
Layers of grime and what may have been wax were removed from the old guitar’s spruce top and Spanish mahogany back and sides, and the original brushed shellac surface restored or replicated. The sitka spruce ladder braced top shows no sign of distortion and has survived very well apart from some scuff marks near the bridge and a crack between bridge and butt block.
The bridge was removed, resurfaced and put back and the crack glued and reinforced with sitka diamonds on the inside. The old guitar also had a cracked and loose butt block which meant removing the back,
regluing any loose parts on the inside, and replacing the butt block with something a little sturdier to see the instrument through another eighty years.
The walnut fretboard has the Oscar Schmidt hallmark large pearl fret markers, including one at the tenth fret. The fret board is slightly off centre, which means the bridge is also a little to one side of the center line. Other owners of old Hilos have also pointed this out on their instruments.
The mahogany slotted peghead has the original machines intact, but one tuner on the bass side has to be wound in reverse because of gear wear. This appears to be how the guitar was played by the previous owner and it works well. Both the nut and saddle have been replaced with unbleached beef bone replicas.
Tonally the aged sitka top and ladder braces pour out a rich sound, full of overtones. The bass and treble are well balanced with light gauge strings and a .16 on the top.
Shipping to anywhere in the world is included in the price and the instrument would be transported in its original leather case, inside a custom made strong wooden box.
I am happy to answer any questions about this golden toned Hilo and it's condition. I have many more pictures, if needed.
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