About
Best known for their zithers, the Schwarzer company is rarely associated with other stringed instruments when in actuality they produced guitars, mandolins, and violins. Thankfully the State Historical Society of Missouri had copies of the Schwarzer catalogs and I paid to get high quality scans. I am including the guitar models and their descriptions below. The date of this catalog is unknown but I know from their log book that the first guitar was produced around 1896.
Use my Guide to Schwarzer Serial Numbers for a closer date on your instrument and Contact Me with your serial number for an exact date of manufacture. I also buy and repair instruments.
These catalogs are in the public domain due to their age but I would still like to mention that the State Historic Society of Missouri has the original microfilm and I would like to thank them for their work and providing me with full scans of the catalog.
Style 2
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| Image Credit: State Historical Society of Missouri |
Franz Schwarzer's Style 2 instruments started at $20 for their Standard size (No.502) and were available in Concert (No.602) and Grand Concert (No.702) sizes.
- Solid Mahogany body
- Inlaid wood purfling around soundhole and top
- Radiused rosewood fingerboard
- Pearl position dots
- Ivoroid heel plate
- Veneered headstock
- Nickel-plated tuners with celluloid buttons
- Ebony bridge
Style 3
The Style 3 instruments started at $25 for the Standard size (No.503) and were also available in Concert (No.603) and Grand Concert (No.703) sizes.
- Solid Mahogany body
- "Fancy marquetry" purfling around soundhole and top
- 'Variegated' wood centerstrip on the back
- Radiused rosewood fingerboard
- Fancy pearl inlaid position markers
- Ivoroid heel plate
- Veneered headstock
- Nickel-plated tuners with celluloid buttons
- Ebony bridge
Style 4
The Style 4 instruments started at $30 for the Standard size (No.504) and were also available in Concert (No.604) and Grand Concert (No.704) sizes.
- Solid Mahogany body
- Fancy pearl figures inlaid around the soundhole and top
- Ivoroid top binding
- Radiused rosewood fingerboard
- 'Variegated' wood centerstrip on the back
- Fancy pearl inlaid position markers
- Ivoroid heel plate
- Veneered headstock
- Nickel-plated tuners with celluloid buttons
- Ebony bridge
Style 4
The Style 5 instruments were identical to the Style 4 except they were Brazilian Rosewood. They started at $50 for the Standard size (No.505) and were also available in Concert (No.605) and Grand Concert (No.705) sizes.
- Solid Brazilian Rosewood body
- Fancy pearl figures
- 'Variegated' wood centerstrip on the back
- Fancy pearl inlaid position markers
- Ivoroid heel plate
- Veneered headstock
- Nickel-plated tuners with celluloid buttons
- Ebony bridge
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