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Add to Compare1945 Stromberg Ultra Deluxe, Figured Maple/Spruce
A beautifully preserved piece of history sits in your lap, and what else could you want? It’s one of the only of its kind, bedecked with pearl and brass and rosewood, Figured Maple back and sides, Spruce top—the 1945 Stromberg Ultra Deluxe. Grover sta-tite tuners, original pickguard, and wrapped up in the original velvet-lined hardshell case, this is an all-original example of one of the early-to-mid 1900s archtop builders work at the peak of their powers.
Elmer Stromberg worked to keep his instruments in the hands of players during the Great Depression fo the 1930s, and during this time evolved his archtops to better compete with a full orchestra by widening the lower bout to a full 17 3/8”, enhancing the volume of this Ultra Deluxe and lending an extra cutting ‘oomph’ to the trebles. The slim neck and narrow nut (1 11/16”) make for a deft left-hand work, and the setup is in a tasty sweet spot for both solos and rhythm.
It is an inspiration just to see an all-original vintage instrument of such rare provenance in person, but this Stromberg follows up that with the seasoned voice of a well-preserved and eminently playable piece of history.Other keywords: jazz, arch top, flatpick, jazz guitar, birdseye maple, mop, f holes, f-holes
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.72 in String Spacing 2 in Woods Spruce, Maple - Figured
Charles Stromberg began building musical instruments in Boston, Massachusetts USA in the early 1900s. This Swedish immigrant began by building drums and banjos which were popular in the US at the time. As his reputation and business grew, he was joined by his son Elmer around 1910 and became Chas. Stromberg and Son. As the popularity of jazz music and big bands grew, Charles and Elmer expanded their line to include guitars.
After moving to the now historic location of 40 Hanover Street in 1927, Stromberg built their first guitar. Guitars were offered to the public but were still a sideline to the drum and banjo production. Then, in 1930, after Charles and Elmer reorganized the business and placed the guitar products in Elmer’s control, he set about to completely redesign the entire line. Understanding the guitars growing popularity in jazz music and the fact that guitars often were hard to hear in the big band setting, Elmer introduced the innovations of increasing the body size and restructuring the f-holes to produce a much louder, bigger sound. This new, louder and better sound was quickly noticed and adopted by local jazz legends Irving Ashby and Freddie Green. Stromberg guitars were seen regularly in legendary big bands of the day, and 40 Hanover Street became a destination for many visiting jazz guitarists of the day.
While well known in the industry, Stromberg’s attention to detail and unwavering dedication to sound and playability meant that production was limited. Unfortunately Charles and Elmer were not great at record keeping, and the number of instruments produced is not truly known. During the period of twenty years, it is estimated that up to 600 guitars were built.
Charles Stromberg passed away in 1955, leaviing Stromberg to Elmer. Unfortunately and unexpectedly, Elmer Stromberg died just a few months after his father, leaving a legacy that continues to this day.
The demand for Stromberg guitars has never been stronger. After nearly a decade of study and design, Stromberg guitars are now being built again. Every Stromberg guitar is manufactured in Stromberg’s native Europe and infused with the sound, quality and unique experience that can only be created by playing a masterfully handcrafted Stromberg guitar.