#1
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The Stromberg name is back - again...
Looks like they've gone over from Korean to European manufacture:
http://stromberguitars.com/ Anybody heard/played/know where to find one...?
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#2
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Hi Steve—I was in the Netherlands in early October 2018, so nearly two years ago, and met up with Theo Scharpach who told me about this project. It sounded great—I recall the Stromberg estate may have let them take measurements off some of the classic Stromberg archtops. I believe they had hoped to have something ready to show at NAMM this year, but as is often the case there must have been delays. At any rate, it is wonderful to see their effort come to fruition! And unfortunately I don’t know where they are available to see/hear, but I will try to find out. —Richard
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#3
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So far the website seems to imply they are all thin-line laminated bodies, they do look nice. Do you know where the factory is? Europe has a long history of excellent guitar making.
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Brian Evans Around 15 archtops, electrics, resonators, a lap steel, a uke, a mandolin, some I made, some I bought, some kinda showed up and wouldn't leave. Tatamagouche Nova Scotia. |
#4
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Quote:
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#5
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Theo confirms he is still involved and at least the true carved archtop instruments are drawn from the original Strombergs. But predictably at a higher price point than the earlier ones. Here’s betting they are excellent instruments!
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#6
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If I were looking for a Stromberg style guitar, I would look at AJL guitars
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1929 Gibson L-5 1934 Martin 000-18 1938 Gibson es-150 2012 AJL XO 2015 Yohan Cholet Modele Jazz 2018 Trenier Custom Archtop 2020 Fraulini Nick Lucas |
#7
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Hi Loren—Just looked at those AJL archtops, very nice looking indeed! Not a name I was familiar with, but great looking instruments. —Richard
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#8
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Me too, hadn't heard of them ..... in Finland!
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#9
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Quote:
__________________
"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#10
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Ranger Doug! That 19” design is huge! Single transverse brace. Like no other.
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#11
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AJL Guitars
I've seen two of them, absolutely first rate. But am not sure I could handle a 19-inch body without getting armpit rash!
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#12
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But rest assured that Stromberg guitars are not coming back.
My sister in law is a very talented painter, perhaps I'll buy the rights to the names Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Vermeer and show the world some of their new works. |
#13
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OKCtodd71, I'm with you. It's one thing to buy a name like Gibson, Harmony, Kent, Dobro - all factories that have had many owners - and "recreate" or "restart" the production line. I have few issues with that. My problem is with taking the name and namesake of a person, a single builder, like D'Angelico or Stromberg. Stromberg was mostly two people, father and son, produced less than 650 instruments, and the company died when they died. For me, start a new name for your new guitars.
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Brian Evans Around 15 archtops, electrics, resonators, a lap steel, a uke, a mandolin, some I made, some I bought, some kinda showed up and wouldn't leave. Tatamagouche Nova Scotia. |
#14
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I’m less sure about this. I think when you make a formal arrangement with the Stromberg estate to use the name, and you take exacting measurements from their historic instruments and have highly skilled luthiers recreate them, in key respects it becomes a legacy production, certainly with as much continuity as bigger shops like Gibson or Fender, etc., which change owners and builders over time. Others may disagree, or at least not wish to equate the new instruments with the old—which is fair—but equally there is a lot more going on than simply slapping a name on an unrelated instrument.
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#15
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Saw the newer Strombergs, very nice. Interesting to see the new models (thinline) I was unaware that Stromberg ever made these back in their heyday.
I wish they offered them without the relic finishes. If I'm paying for a new guitar, I want it to look new. I'll put the wear and tear on it myself, thank you! Jay |