Our very first selection for our "History of Guitars" gallery is a rare instrument indeed. We were lucky to have one of our favorite long-time customers, an established and recognized guitar icon in his own rite, drop this instrument in for an appraisal and setup recently. Original archtops by Elmer Stromberg are a rare find in any shape or form, but this instrument is even more unusual in that the serial number (No.636) indicates that it is one of the highest serial numbers documented to date, and was produced in the fall of 1955, not long before the death of Mr. Stromberg.  To the best of our knowledge, it may have been among some of the last guitars produced by this great maker. This model "Deluxe" features it's original natural finish, a full 17" plus lower bout dimension, Stromberg's proprietary single diagonal strut system and a 23.5" scale length!!!

             The Stromberg instrument making business was started in 1905 by Elmer's father Charles Stromberg who specialized in banjo, drum and mandolin making.  Both of Charles sons Harry and Elmer apprenticed with their father at the original Sudbury St. location in Boston Massachusetts (close to the Vega banjo facility).  Originally the Strombergs attained recognition as one of the top tenor banjo makers of the 1920's but as musical tastes changed, guitars began to take up more and more of their production. 

             The 1930's and 40's saw rapid developments in the archtop guitar, with each guitar builder making larger and more ornate instruments. Elmer Stromberg's model Deluxe, Master 300 and Master 400 guitars were highly prized during this era and were being played by prominent players such as Freddie Green with Count Basie, Fred Guy with Duke Ellington and Mike Bryan with Benny Goodman's orchestra. 
 
 

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