Oscar Schmidt
Since 1871
Founded in 1871 in Jersey City, New Jersey, Oscar Schmidt is one of the oldest and most storied musical instrument marques in American history. World-famous for inventing and producing the iconic Autoharp as well as Stella and Sovereign guitars favored by Delta blues legends, Oscar Schmidt was acquired by Washburn International (US Music Corp) in the late 1970s. Today, Oscar Schmidt delivers outstanding entry-to-intermediate acoustic dreadnoughts, folk guitars, ukuleles, and traditional folk instruments celebrated for rock-solid mahogany construction and accessible pricing.
155
Years in Business
600K+
Guitars Sold
$14M+
Annual Revenue
Complete Oscar Schmidt Guitar Price & Valuation Guide (2026)
Comprehensive market valuation ranges, mint vs used condition pricing, tonewood specs, and historical price trends for Oscar Schmidt guitars.
Oscar Schmidt Price Overview
Oscar Schmidt covers a wide range of instruments from entry-level to professional models. Typical used prices vary by condition, series and year. Higher-end USA models and limited editions retain value better than mass-market lines, while rare or vintage pieces often command significant premiums.
When evaluating value, consider originality (pickups, hardware), structural condition (neck, frets, finish) and documentation (serials, receipts, setup reports). Price dispersion across platforms is common; local stores offer service and inspection, whereas online marketplaces provide broader selection and price transparency.
For detailed buying advice, model comparisons and condition-based pricing, read the full guide linked above.
Market Overview
Average Price
$165
+3.1% vs last year
eBay Listings
520
Active listings
Sold This Month
140
+2.8% vs last month
Price Range
$65-$650
Current market range
Data sourced from eBay, Reverb, and Guitar Center used listings
Oscar Schmidt Timeline
Oscar Schmidt Founds Factory in New Jersey
Built one of the largest instrument manufacturing complexes in the world, producing zithers, banjos, and guitars.
Introduction of the Autoharp Trademark
Acquired and standardized the Autoharp, becoming the primary global manufacturer of push-button chorded zithers.
The Golden Age of Stella & Sovereign
Oscar Schmidt's Stella guitars became the foundational acoustic instruments of Lead Belly and early Delta bluesmen.
Washburn International Acquisition
Acquired by Washburn (US Music Corp), repositioning Oscar Schmidt as their entry-level acoustic and folk instrument sister line.
OG2 Dreadnought Becomes Student Benchmark
The OG2 series emerged as one of the best-selling acoustic starter packs across North American music schools.
150th Sesquicentennial Anniversary
Celebrated 150 years of continuous instrument brand heritage, expanding high-grade ukulele and exotic acoustic lines.
Complete Oscar Schmidt Product Lineup
Oscar Schmidt stands as a living bridge to American folk music heritage—from the porches of the Mississippi Delta to modern music classrooms.
Traditional Acoustic Guitars
Full-size dreadnoughts, 12-string acoustics, and 3/4 student size instruments engineered under Washburn oversight.
Flagship acoustic dreadnought with spruce top, catalpa back & sides, chrome die-cast tuners, high-gloss finish.
Active Barcus-Berry preamp system with built-in tuner, Venetian cutaway for upper-fret access.
Resonant 12-string dreadnought delivering shimmering chorus harmonics at an entry-level price.
Short-scale 36" student acoustic designed for children, travel, and smaller players.
Iconic Autoharps
The world standard 15-chord and 21-chord pushbutton acoustic zithers played in folk, bluegrass, and music therapy.
Rock maple pin block, solid spruce top, 21 chord bars covering major, minor, and seventh keys.
Traditional 15-chord arrangement with maple frame and natural gloss finish.
Flame maple back and sides with flowerette soundhole and active internal pickup.
Ukuleles & Folk Instruments
Concert, tenor, and baritone ukuleles alongside traditional A-style and F-style mandolins.
Satin finish mahogany body, Grover chrome tuners, Aquila strings, the definitive student concert uke.
Hawaiian koa top, back and sides with abalone binding and rosette.
Select spruce top with mahogany back and sides, adjustable rosewood bridge, chrome tailpiece.
"Oscar Schmidt stands as a living bridge to American folk music heritage—from the porches of the Mississippi Delta to modern music classrooms."
Model-Specific Buying Guide
Each model has unique characteristics that affect both tone and value. Here's what to look for when buying specific models.
The Reliable Student & Campfire Acoustic
Check Bridge Adhesion
Inspect the wooden bridge base for separation or paper-thin gaps against the gloss spruce top.
Barcus Berry Preamp Battery Check
On OG2CE cutaway models, verify the 9V battery compartment is clean and the onboard chromatic tuner responds accurately.
Truss Rod Adjustment Margin
Verify the soundhole allen wrench truss rod turns smoothly to dial in a comfortable 5/64" action.
The Folk & Bluegrass Chorded Zither Icon
Chord Bar Felt Wear
Inspect the underside felt dampening pads on the chord buttons; compressed or missing felts cause string ringing and buzz.
Tuning Pin Tightness
Check that tuning pins in the maple pin block hold tension without slipping during rapid tuning passes.
Soundboard & Frame Integrity
Sight the wooden frame for cracks along the chord-bar mounting posts caused by decades of string tension.
The Classroom Ukulele Benchmark
Mahogany Resonance & Intonation
Check 12th-fret harmonic vs fretted note pitch to ensure saddle placement provides accurate intonation.
Grover Tuner Backlash
Ensure the geared chrome tuners turn smoothly without slipping on the nylon strings.
Fret End Dressing
Feel along the neck binding to verify fret edges are flush and comfortable in dry winter environments.