Strad-o-lin question.. 4 string acoustic?

[scottgaron]

Hi.. new to the forum. I purchased this at a tag sale back in the 90s and I've been looking recently for info on the internet about it but I'm not having much luck. I've seen tons of info on Stradolins, but I can't find anything on this 4 string acoustic guitar. I've attached a picture. Anyone have any info on it? There are no markings on inside the guitar.

Thanks, Scott

[NickR]

At a glance it looks like a Kay made tenor guitar. However, I do not believe it to be such. I think the Stradolin name was the property of Sorkin- others will confirm this. Sorkin sold instruments made by United of New Jersey. United made guitars have a heel very much like a Gibson made instrument. It would be useful to see the heel and the tuners.

Edit: I have found one on Reverb and it has Made in Japan on the rear of the headstock. It is clearly not by United. I would assume that Sorkin- if that company still traded moved to Far Eastern imports at some point- as so many did. However, your tenor guitar does appear to be a higher quality instrument to the one on Reverb and may have been made in the USA.

Here is a baritone uke- made by United and converted to tenor guitar configuration. You can see the heel shape at this link: https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/20...-baritone.html

[scottgaron]

Thanks.. I'll take some more pictures tonight and post them.

[scottgaron]

Sorry, I tried to upload with issues last night. Here are some additional pics as requested. Thank you in advance for any info.

[NickR]

Those tuners are Japanese. However, I have a Kay made Silvertone tenor guitar from 1963-66 and that has the same tuners. Despite this, I do think that your tenor guitar is probably from Japan. The heel shape definitely rules out United of New Jersey.

[MikeEdgerton]

That label was applied to instruments imported from Japan in the 70's and 80's. It has no connection to the earlier mandolins.

[scottgaron]

Thanks everyone for the info. Glad to have a bit of insight on it.

[allenhopkins]

You find Strad-O-Lin brass instruments as well. Plus amps, woodwinds, misc. music stuff, imported from Europe, Asia, wherever.

Seems that those S-O-L mandolins established enough "rep" for the brand, that Sorkin felt sticking the label on non-mandolin merch was a savvy marketing decision.