View Full Version : Information on "Avalon" tenor...
dadsaster
Jan-24-2018, 2:42pm
I found an "Avalon" tenor for sale. I'm almost 100% sure it is rebranded - possibly Oscar Shmidt?
Can anyone date this instrument, know what type of wood it is made from or add any other details?
164277
nmiller
Jan-25-2018, 12:17pm
It's a Harmony creation, 1930s or 1940s, solid birch all around with the "flame" painted on.
Looks like it is in lovely condition!
dadsaster
Jan-26-2018, 1:54pm
I think it just sold on reverb for $200. That seems like a pretty good price.
Well if it is any consolation, it might (would) sound great if it were being played by an expert but, probably very limited in full sound potential!
The birch soundboard & thick, oil based finish, is not really conductive for the best tone, sustain & volume.
Cary Fagan
Feb-13-2018, 8:16am
FYI, I bought the Avalon for $190. It actually dates from 1924-1929, when the Henry Stadlmair music company existed, a NY distributor. It's in amazing condition, hard to understand how it is so clean. In size it's similar to a 60s Harmony I used to own. 23 inch. I strung it up last night GDAE and am still playing around. The finish is in fact thin. It's quite loud and sounds good. It does sound like other birch instruments I've played, a bit funky for lack of a better word. I'm pleased with it. The original case is in very good shape and has 4 clasps, making it more secure than some. With me instruments come and go, so we'll see if it's a keeper but it might be.
nmiller
Feb-13-2018, 9:32am
It actually dates from 1924-1929, when the Henry Stadlmair music company existed, a NY distributor.
The guitar is not that old; this finish was not used at that time. Stadlmair went back at least to the 1910s, and continued at least through 1939.
Cary Fagan
Feb-13-2018, 10:55am
That's interesting and makes sense but I've read that Stadlmair began in 1923 or 24 and ended at the start of the depression. It was known for tenor banjos and also ukes under the Avalon name. I'm curious where your info comes from. My info comes from these sites:
https://www.banjohangout.org/archive/151495
https://sites.google.com/site/ukulelemakers/rst/stadlmair
http://jedistar.com/avalon-2/
http://www.horn-u-copia.net/pubtrade.php
http://www.lockyphoto.com/triplexbanjo/
Cornfield
Feb-13-2018, 11:43am
I hink the first tenor guitars came out in 1927 from Martin and then other companies followed. Steve Pyott probably knows all regarding ancient and mysterious history of tenor guitars.
All that not withstanding, I'm glad that you like your Avalon. One time I told a Texas car salesman that I thought a particular car was UGLY. He told me "There is an ass for every saddle".
nmiller
Feb-13-2018, 5:04pm
I'm curious where your info comes from.
Articles talking about Stadlmair in the 1910s are available in the MTR archives (https://mtr.arcade-museum.com/),
and there is a 1939 Stadlmair catalog on Vintaxe.com.
But generally, the whole style of instrument is mid '30s to early '40s.
Cary Fagan
Feb-13-2018, 5:11pm
Thanks, NM. I don't see the Stadlmair catalog on Vintaxe.com but you are right about the look.