Sounds super, nice blues picking, I have a Gibson B-25. I met RJ's travelling companion Johnny Shines, he also played a B-25 and that day he also played my Gibson. I was blessed to meet many of the original bluesmen when I was a concert promoter for the Seattle Folklore Society in the early 70s . It should be noted that RJ recorded many sides in Dallas.
David, thanks for getting in touch. I love Johnny Shines! He's got that great Biograph LP, "Sittin' On Top Of The World" It's like listening to Robert Johnson, only on a more modern recording. And yes, Johnny Shines had his own thing going, his own take, even on the Robert Johnson tunes. I'm sure you know the recording, he's pictured on the cover with a B-25. His interviews are big time interesting, always proud to have made a living and cared for his family all those years. Also his remerberances of Robert Johnson are cool, insightful, enlightening. What a pair! I got to hang around with enough of the blues cats, as well as all sorts of guitar players, through the years - Hip Linkchain in Chicago (and El Paso), Hound Dog Taylor's band, Blind Joe Hill in Akron, Cedell Davis in Pine Bluff, lots of folks, great memories. Hip and I would do gigs together in the western suburbs of Chicago, I'd drag him out there so we could play parties for the white folks. They loved him. Now, after a lifetime of performing, I'm focusing on these rebuilds. I sell them at vintage guitar shows and at a store in Santa Fe called "Stay Gold Guitars". My workshop is in El Paso. Again, Thanks
@@danlambertguitar6049 I have a 1965 Harmony Archtone. I bought it off eBay for $10. It had a neck and body. The back and top were coming off. I didn’t do the work, but Yale’s Music in Sayre, PA, but it all back together, replaced all the hardware, and straightened the neck. I love it and still look out more Harmonys, Stellas, Kays, and the like!
@@kobrian58 Great. Those guitars were made from half way decent materials. they were just put together kind of funky. If you can find.someone who understands that, and can do the work - Bingo! Looks like you found the right cats. Keep looking, those guitars are out there, they made a ton of them. Let me know what you come across.
@@kobrian58 You're right - midline and budget stuff, although they had pro lines too, or at least lines that were a step up. Think about it; many professional musicians have through the years used Schmidt-Kay-Harmony guitars, now maybe more than ever. Also, I've worked on some great European guitars, both budget line and professional. You can see similarities, the lineage, where it all got started.
Thanks. You know, enough of these parlors were made with half way decent wood. Sure, in the 100 years of their lives they've come all unhinged and need rebuilding. But do that and do it right, and you can have an amazing guitar.
Good to hear from you, Bob. Harmony, which bought the Oscar Schmidt Co. in the mid 30s, from what I gather, bought everything, including the names - Stella, Sovereign, etc. All those Stellas from the 50s-60s are Harmonys. You can tell, because the Stella name is painted on. The Schmidt Stellas have embossed names. There are of course a million other differences too, not hard to tell once you've studied enough of them. Leadbelly's Stella 12 was an Oscar Schmidt, a Jumbo, 15 1/2" across at the lower bout. This is all stuff you probably know already, and if not it's good info. Neil Harpe's Stella Guitar Book is a great source. The Harmonys aren't bad once you rebuild them, even pretty darn good, the Schmidts are killers. Again, Thanks.
Who knows. The best part about this guitar is, after the rebuild (and it was a mess) how well it plays and how good it sounds. This one was really brought back from the dead. The RJ connection you can take or leave, I personally don't put much weight in it, but what a player!
Hi Dan LOVE STELLA GUITARS , That one is Beautiful and She sounds nice I love how you patched up her Face Someday you will finish her face up or not as long as she plays I would Love To Here Open Tuning Slide On her especially after the story behind her I am Waiting on A grand Concert Hauver Stella copy There is a Grand Concert 14 inch Lower bout Oscar Schmidt on reverb Claims it was rebuilt By you If i did not Sink Money into the Hauver I would Grab it up right now I would Prefer 14 lower over 14 and 1/2 But Hey Such is the guitar Journey We are on I hope To some day Get a concert size Schmidt Before They Are To expensive to Buy if you are lucky enough to find one if not There are a few Good Builders Out There Thank you for this Video Stay Well 😇
The top was/is spruce. I used a patch of spruce pirated from an old parlor size guitar. I have tons of scrap around ready for reuse. Schmidt would use some different type woods occasionally for bodies, besides birch and mahogany. This one could be cherry.
@@deanmclaughlin1305 Those Harmony Stellas are cool, not as cool as the older, trickier to find Oscar Schmidt Stellas, but still cool. However, if you're so inclined, a Harmony Stella would be a good guitar to get your feet wet rebuilding-wise. Send photos, dglambert@elp.rr.com
Used his knife, a Sharpie, anything. Just at the Little Zion Church gravesite again, north of Greenwood, MS around midnight, raining. The grave is back, in the trees, other graves close by but still alone. The place drips with atmosphere.
Very cool, so great that you brought it back to life. What a beautiful voice it has.
I’ve met Dan…owned guitars restored by him…absolutely a great guy…and he plays!
Chris, you 'da man! Schmidts rule.
Beautiful instrument. Sounds incredible. Lovely tale.
Thanks, it does have its own sound.
These truly do sound hip, glad I found one for myself :) Nice playing! Dig the feel there
Thanks. Schmidts Rule!
Sounds super, nice blues picking, I have a Gibson B-25. I met RJ's travelling companion Johnny Shines, he also played a B-25 and that day he also played my Gibson. I was blessed to meet many of the original bluesmen when I was a concert promoter for the Seattle Folklore Society in the early 70s . It should be noted that RJ recorded many sides in Dallas.
David, thanks for getting in touch. I love Johnny Shines! He's got that great Biograph LP, "Sittin' On Top Of The World" It's like listening to Robert Johnson, only on a more modern recording. And yes, Johnny Shines had his own thing going, his own take, even on the Robert Johnson tunes. I'm sure you know the recording, he's pictured on the cover with a B-25. His interviews are big time interesting, always proud to have made a living and cared for his family all those years. Also his remerberances of Robert Johnson are cool, insightful, enlightening. What a pair!
I got to hang around with enough of the blues cats, as well as all sorts of guitar players, through the years - Hip Linkchain in Chicago (and El Paso), Hound Dog Taylor's band, Blind Joe Hill in Akron, Cedell Davis in Pine Bluff, lots of folks, great memories. Hip and I would do gigs together in the western suburbs of Chicago, I'd drag him out there so we could play parties for the white folks. They loved him.
Now, after a lifetime of performing, I'm focusing on these rebuilds. I sell them at vintage guitar shows and at a store in Santa Fe called "Stay Gold Guitars". My workshop is in El Paso.
Again, Thanks
That tone! 😮
Muchas Gracias!
Sounds great! Keep up the good work.
Thanks! Always working on new ones.
@@danlambertguitar6049 I have a 1965 Harmony Archtone. I bought it off eBay for $10. It had a neck and body. The back and top were coming off. I didn’t do the work, but Yale’s Music in Sayre, PA, but it all back together, replaced all the hardware, and straightened the neck. I love it and still look out more Harmonys, Stellas, Kays, and the like!
@@kobrian58 Great. Those guitars were made from half way decent materials. they were just put together kind of funky. If you can find.someone who understands that, and can do the work - Bingo! Looks like you found the right cats. Keep looking, those guitars are out there, they made a ton of them. Let me know what you come across.
@@danlambertguitar6049 I also respect that they were made in the USA and for the common man (or women)!
@@kobrian58 You're right - midline and budget stuff, although they had pro lines too, or at least lines that were a step up. Think about it; many professional musicians have through the years used Schmidt-Kay-Harmony guitars, now maybe more than ever. Also, I've worked on some great European guitars, both budget line and professional. You can see similarities, the lineage, where it all got started.
I sounds absolutely BADASS !!!
Wow what an awesome sound for the size of it. I am sure your playing has a lot to do with it. Way Cool !!!!
Thanks. You know, enough of these parlors were made with half way decent wood. Sure, in the 100 years of their lives they've come all unhinged and need rebuilding. But do that and do it right, and you can have an amazing guitar.
You make it sound good!
Hey man, Thanks. You can get a lot of sound out of these smaller Oscar Schmidts.
Like so many other older guitar players, my first guitar, as a kid in the 1950's, was a Stella. Leadbelly, of course, played a 12 string Stella.
Good to hear from you, Bob. Harmony, which bought the Oscar Schmidt Co. in the mid 30s, from what I gather, bought everything, including the names - Stella, Sovereign, etc. All those Stellas from the 50s-60s are Harmonys. You can tell, because the Stella name is painted on. The Schmidt Stellas have embossed names. There are of course a million other differences too, not hard to tell once you've studied enough of them. Leadbelly's Stella 12 was an Oscar Schmidt, a Jumbo, 15 1/2" across at the lower bout. This is all stuff you probably know already, and if not it's good info. Neil Harpe's Stella Guitar Book is a great source. The Harmonys aren't bad once you rebuild them, even pretty darn good, the Schmidts are killers. Again, Thanks.
Oh my!
Beautiful guitar and play. Thanks. What year is it ? Any clue ?
1920s from the looks, and the Stella label
Maybe the statement "played by Robert Johnson" did not mean he play this exact guitar, but simply that he played a Stella?
Who knows. The best part about this guitar is, after the rebuild (and it was a mess) how well it plays and how good it sounds. This one was really brought back from the dead. The RJ connection you can take or leave, I personally don't put much weight in it, but what a player!
Great job on that gee-tar!
Thank you.@@SingleMalt77005
Hey Dan, I just bought one myself do you mind telling me what strings you use? You are a really good player too. thanks
I like any brand phosphor bronze, with an 11 on top. Thanks.
@@danlambertguitar6049 Thanks Dan
Hi Dan LOVE STELLA GUITARS , That one is Beautiful and She sounds nice I love how you patched up her Face Someday you will finish her face up or not as long as she plays I would Love To Here Open Tuning Slide On her especially after the story behind her I am Waiting on A grand Concert Hauver Stella copy There is a Grand Concert 14 inch Lower bout Oscar Schmidt on reverb Claims it was rebuilt By you If i did not Sink Money into the Hauver I would Grab it up right now I would Prefer 14 lower over 14 and 1/2 But Hey Such is the guitar Journey We are on I hope To some day Get a concert size Schmidt Before They Are To expensive to Buy if you are lucky enough to find one if not There are a few Good Builders Out There Thank you for this Video Stay Well 😇
Yes, the GC Stella on Reverb is one I rebuilt. It's a special guitar. PS. Mike Hauver makes great guitars.
@@danlambertguitar6049 Thanx Dan for your time and cool videos Mike jus left me a message saying my Guitar is Finished 😄
@@tommytramp Eeh Hah! Say Hi to him for me.
I will say Hi to Him For you, Stella People Tutti famiglia (FAMILY) 😉
So they are made out of birch...was it a spruce piece you replaced by the bridge with or did you use another old Stella for that repair?
The top was/is spruce. I used a patch of spruce pirated from an old parlor size guitar. I have tons of scrap around ready for reuse. Schmidt would use some different type woods occasionally for bodies, besides birch and mahogany. This one could be cherry.
@@danlambertguitar6049 I found an old Stella harmony yesterday so I was looking them up...I'm gonna try and buy it...just a cool old guitar
@@deanmclaughlin1305 Those Harmony Stellas are cool, not as cool as the older, trickier to find Oscar Schmidt Stellas, but still cool. However, if you're so inclined, a Harmony Stella would be a good guitar to get your feet wet rebuilding-wise. Send photos, dglambert@elp.rr.com
@@danlambertguitar6049 not sure I can get my hands on it yet but I could probably get a photo
What did you pay?
Here's a link to a testimonial of another of my rebuilds from friend Alan Cross www.tdpri.com/threads/new-old-guitar-day.885652/
Yeah it has that tone. it pre war ?
Johnson only played pre war guitars.
Yes, 1920s, with an early Stella label.
sure has some mojo.
That it does. Thanks.
That it does. Thanks.
ROBERT J.
Scratched his initials
Into the back of guitar on the Bottom RLJ
On this guitar it was written in pecil on the back, "played by Robert Johnson"
If RJ had used pen, rather than pencil, I bet it would have levitated.
Used his knife, a Sharpie, anything. Just at the Little Zion Church gravesite again, north of Greenwood, MS around midnight, raining. The grave is back, in the trees, other graves close by but still alone. The place drips with atmosphere.
OK, so maybe it vibrated a little. I figured it was fret buzz.
..it wouldn't have levitated if it was lol