Tell me about my new ( to me ) Strad-o-lin

I just purchased this " 1940s Strad-o-lin. The bridge was modified and could not be used. I fitted a bridge left over from a Saga kit and strung it up with light strings. Sounds and plays great, there's a small lip where the back was loose by the tail piece but it doesn't move and I think some one glued it back badly. big chip out of the back there as well. The bridge was modified badly and put 2 holes in the top. The bridge I put on has a larger foot print so the holes don't seem to be a problem. Any info anyone has about what year this may be would be appreciated. I took it to the local pickin' circle the night I got it and it did great , I'm already sure it's a keeper.:grin:

You may be able to find a date stamp inside on the back. It may not be in an easy to see spot, though.

I'm at work till monday night but will look inside as soon as I get home. Thanks

Probably 40's. They started riveting tuners like that as the ability to get things like screws diminished. Solid top, elevated fretboard. That bridge looks like the original that somebody messed with. I have J-74's on mine and I've had no problems. Make sure you post pictures in the Strad-O-Lin Social Group.

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Originally Posted by Jim

The bridge was modified and could not be used. I fitted a bridge left over from a Saga kit and strung it up with light strings.

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I don't even know if what you have in that last photo is the original bridge and frankly the original would not have any compensation so you are prob better off in terms of intonation changing out that bridge.

AFAIK the original bridge would be adjustable but not compensated like this one.

Thanks for the info, Mike, I did post some pics in the Stad-o-lin group and Jim, It does intonate perfectly with the compensated bridge I used. I had to take alot of wood off the bottom of the bridge feet to fit it so the saddle is way up on the adjuster posts but it sounds good and there's a little adjustment left.

Actually Jim, it probably wouldn't have been adjustable. It would most likely look just like the last bridge pictured without the stuff on the bottom. If they couldn't get screws for tuners they probably didn't have adjusting wheels on the bridge. I've had several with that same bridge.

Mike may be on the right track. A wartime shortage of machined parts would explain 30's having adjustable bridges and 40's solid bridges.

I know you can't always go by catalog pics but take a look at this one. The 7705 looks very much like the OP's and it looks to me to have an adjustable bridge. Then again, you may be correct that the wartime might have affected that.

Well, it could have had that bridge. I had one a year or so ago that was identical, labeled Orpheum, had the same tuners and the same non adjustable bridge. I'm a bit shocked at the price in that ad.

I too was surprised by the price, I paid almost twice that:grin: and mine doesn't have binding.