top of page

GUITARS

Wandering Boy Guitars are closely based on Stella guitars made by the
Oscar Schmidt factory in the 1920s and early 1930s. Stellas were ladder braced,
which provided a tone that was perfectly suited for the vernacular music of the era -

ragtime, jazz, blues, oldtime - and were the staple instrument of many

recording musicians at that time. 

​

Each Wandering Boy guitar is custom-made, meaning the instrument 
can be tailored for you, 
drawing upon a diverse range of inspiration from
the guitars of this golden era of sound. 

​

Please use the Contact page to discuss all options and pricing.

​

CONCERT

IMG_2566a_edited.png

The Concert is a small bodied guitar with a mellow, warm and woody tone.

Some say that Blind Blake and Charley Patton recorded with these.

​

The Concert is a 12 fret and model features a body with a 13.5" lower bout, with a 25" scale and will be available in both 6 and 9-string versions.

​

Options include a variety of bridges, marquetry and pick guard styles, pearl inlay, and antique-style finishes.

​

​

GRAND CONCERT

IMG_1941.jpeg

{

The Grand Concert is a versatile medium-sized instrument, large enough for great projection and volume while remaining comfortable and easy to play. Barbecue Bob Hicks was known to play a long-scale Stella grand concert 12-string guitar, as did Jim Jackson, and it is thought that Son House played the 6-string version.

 

The Grand Concert features a body with a 14.75" lower bout, is 4" deep and is available in both 6 and 12-string versions.

​

Options include either a long, almost baritone scale 26.5", a 25.5" or 24.75" scale, with neck profiles and nut widths to suit your hands and playing style, and a variety of period-correct aesthetic choices such as bridges, marquetry and pearl inlay, pickguards, and antique-style finishes.

Brian Sherrill of activemelody.com playing his 24.75" scale grand concert

Sweeney rotated.png
Gambler clear.png
Harvey clear.png
Black clear.png

AUDITORIUM

IMG_0235 etch.png

The Auditorium, or Jumbo, was the largest and most powerful of all Stella guitars.

The 12-string versions were played by Leadbelly, Blind Willie Mctell and Charlie Kyle, and some say that Skip James played the 6-string version for some of his recordings.

​

Jumbo 12 CLEAR.png

While not as focused as the Grand Concert, the Auditorium 12-string is affectionately
known as a lap piano, a big rumbling guitar with the potential to shake

both the player and audience. 

 

The Auditorium model features a body with a 15.75" lower bout, is 4.25" deep,

has a long 26.5" scale and is available in both 6 and 12-string versions.

​

Options include a variety of bridges, marquetry and pick guard styles, pearl inlay, and antique-style finishes.

​

​

Skip Sail playing his 26.5" scale auditorium 12 string

  • Instagram
bottom of page