SS Stewart Repaired

[Ryan Riordan]

Picked up my '30s??? SS Stewart from the luthier today, and wow! When I took it in, I was unsure that it was going to be salvageable, the finish was flaking on the back, the top had smoke damage, the fingerboard was scooped beyond repair, and worst perhaps, the top was caving and a tone bar popped loose.

After a few weeks with the back off, and a fair amount of time getting the neck reset and a new fingerboard, it is in playable condition.

This was my great grandfathers mandolin, and even though it isn't special, I want it to stand out. With that and the finish damage in mind the shop laid down fresh nitro and replaced the hardware. She's quite the looker. These photos hardly do it justice.



I'm not saying she sounds like a Loar, or even a teens Gibson, just that she makes every import I've ever played sound like a toy. Great sustain with warmth and mellow but clear highs. Still working on the setup, but I'm planning to record some sound samples soon.

I believe I will call her the Autumn Queen, after Grisman's SS Stewart, Snow Queen.

[Jeff Mando]

Real pretty!

[Mark Wilson]

This was my great grandfathers mandolin, and even though it isn't special, I want it to stand out. With that and the finish damage in mind the shop laid down fresh nitro and replaced the hardware. She's quite the looker. These photos hardly do it justice.

Indeed. Looks way to me. Well done. Is the pick guard original?

[F-2 Dave]

That's beautiful Ryan. Is the top solid spruce?

[MikeEdgerton]

I'm pretty sure that's a Strad-O-Lin genre mandolin. The brace that came loose was just that, a brace. These didn't have tone bars. Here's what they look like on the inside.

I managed to find this catalog page for a branded Strad-O-Lin oval. Whoever made these made them under a whole lot of brand names.

[cbakewell]

It bears a strong resemblance to my Nobility Strad-o-lin - except your is FAR prettier.

Beautiful

[Ryan Riordan]

That's beautiful Ryan. Is the top solid spruce?

All solid woods. Spruce top, maple sides, back, and neck. I should snag a shot of the sides, they are stunningly flamed. The headstock veneer is new and not too shabby for a "scrap" piece.

Mark, the pick guard is new, the original was removed when it came to me.

I'd be inclined to agree with the strad-o-lin comparison, the inset inlay, construction, etc looks very similar. Maybe a Chicago shop?

I recently saw that the blue oval label SSS instruments are generally 1940s instruments, any thoughts?

[MikeEdgerton]

Nobody knows for sure where they were built but I suspect they were built in New York City. The company that owned the brand was in New York City as well.

[texaspaul]

Very nice. I sure you are blessed to own this mandolin

[billhay4]

I'd say your luthier did you well. You don't want to give him/her a shout out?
Let's hear this one.
Bill