Slingerland/May Bell Stringed Instruments

I am currently searching for information about instruments produced by the Slingerland Musical Instrument Company of Chicago, IL. I have hopes to collect enough information to be able to put together a book that will give an accurate picture of the production of their stringed instrument line. There currently exists very little information about this.

Specifically, I’m interested in the Slingerland line of guitars, mandolins, and lap steels (Songster and Nite Hawk models). Also, Marvel and May Bell guitars (many models) and lap steels. Other instruments may have been made as well — they started out as a ukulele company, but the only ukuleles that I have ever seen were all May Bell banjo ukuleles, but I know that they produced wooden models as well.

PLEASE NOTE: I am not looking for information about banjos or drums — these have both been documented already, the banjos somewhat, the drums in great detail by Rob Cook.

I am interested in any and all information that may be available. It is unlikely that very many of the people who worked at Slingerland in the 20’s and 30’s are still alive, but their relatives might have information that was handed down to them. Such things as descriptions of the instruments made, descriptions of work in the factory, whether or not they were made in-house or made by Harmony and Regal and shipped to the Slingerland factory for assembly and finishing; how many instruments were produced, pictures of the factory, pictures of instruments, pictures of people with the instruments, etc.

I am also a collector of these instruments and would be interested to know if there are other collectors as well. On the website listed below, I have a “wanted” and “for sale” section, as well as an area where I will be glad to post pictures of various instruments that people have.

I am willing to travel if necessary to conduct interviews, view/copy pictures, photograph instruments, purchase instruments, etc. I am located 60 miles West of Chicago, IL in DeKalb, IL.

Thank you in advance for any assistance that you can give! Dave “DK” Kolars

99 thoughts on “Slingerland/May Bell Stringed Instruments”

    1. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Len Williams
      Len Williams

      I acquired a May Bell mandolin about 25 years ago that has a flat back and a slightly arched top, with an oval soundhole. I can send you a picture if you’d like. It has a fair amount of wear due to "over-picking" on the face but is a great instrument and I’m thinking of restoring the finish soon. The only problem is that I have no info on when it was made or where. It has no info inside the soundhole or anywhere else that I can see. There is a chipped decal on the head that says May Bell but that is all. I’d love to find out more about it if you have any resources.

  1. slingerland/songster/mandolin
    paul

    I have just recieved a songster mandolin and I’m searching for any info on this instrument.It is in good condition but I have not found any numbers to indicate a model.If you have found any info I would appreciate if you could pass it along to me. It still looks and sounds great,I think it’s in the original case. Since I’m not a mandolin player yet…I look forward to anything you can do to enlighten me. thanks…Paul -costa mesa CA.

  2. Slingerland Maybell Guitar
    Charles Lynn

    I may have the opprotunity to buy a slingerland Maybell Guitar that appears to be in very good condition. Could you give me a ballpark guess as to it’s worth? Thanks a lot.

    1. Re: Slingerland Maybell Guitar
      marty tonner

      : I may have the opprotunity to buy a slingerland Maybell Guitar that appears to be in very good condition. Could you give me a ballpark guess as to it’s worth? Thanks a lot.
      i bought my maybell 1937 for 150 euros here in holland i thought it was very cheap but it’s not in perfect condition i don’t know how much it’s worth though

  3. May Bell, mandolin
    K.

    know of a A model mandolin, has a flat back, arched top, oval hole, and has May Bell on peghead, and May Bell on tailpiece cover, stamped or engraved. Do you know the year possible this was made, etc.
    Thank you [email protected]

  4. May Bell
    Bob Hands

    I have owned a May Bell guitar for about 38 years.Bought from an ex band guitarist,who had had it fir many years before that.He had drilled two holes through the bridge and fitted a set of converted headphones to act as pickups.They worked as well.He also drilled two holes in the body for volume and tone switches.No other information other than the guitar still plays well,and sounds great.

  5. MayBell Slinhgerland Guitar
    Margie Behr

    Mr Kolars:

    I have a MayBell guitar from approximately the 1930’s which was my grandmothers. She taught me to play on it in my teens. She has been dead since 1979 & I still have the guitar in my possession.

    I recently have thought to donate this to a historical museum in my home town. I would like to provide any history to offer them also.

    This guitar is in a hardshell case. The guitar appears to have ivory plugs to hold the strings. Also, 3 angels are below the ivory plugs. Its in worn condition and I have my great memories with it.

    Could you provide any information??

    Thanks for your anticiapated response!!

    Margie Behr

    1. Re: MayBell Slinhgerland Guitar
      Jane Huff

      : Mr Kolars:

      : I have a MayBell guitar from approximately the 1930’s which was my grandmothers. She taught me to play on it in my teens. She has been dead since 1979 & I still have the guitar in my possession.

      : I recently have thought to donate this to a historical museum in my home town. I would like to provide any history to offer them also.

      : This guitar is in a hardshell case. The guitar appears to have ivory plugs to hold the strings. Also, 3 angels are below the ivory plugs. Its in worn condition and I have my great memories with it.

      : Could you provide any information??

      : Thanks for your anticiapated response!!

      : Margie Behr

      I would like to know where to go to fine out what a May Bell gutar is worth Thank you
      Janet

    1. Re: slingerland songster guitar
      travis

      ive got one as well the research ive done tells me it is a dimond in the rough but not so wanted. so i dont know if it would be worth repairing. but thare are vary few so maybe. i found mine in my great grand mothers atik with lap stand and original amp perfect condition exept for a few nicks and scraps amasinly still works just thought youd like to know

    2. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... dave
      dave

      Ran across your site while looking for info on this old guitar I found in my mother-in-law’s attic. It is missing the "nut", bridge, strings and the tuner machines need to be replaced (the knobs have deteriated). The body and neck are in very good condition with a little finish wear on the neck from fingers. Is this a cheap guitar and not worth the price of fixing or is this a gem in the rough?

      1. Slingerland Songster
        musicdog

        I have a Slingerland Songster that I would like to sell, I have stopped collecting guitars and have started selling. I came to this site after I noticed a comment I posted in 03-05 not sure. This is for Dave “DK” Kolars who wants to collect and write about them. I just dug it out of its case and it is in good shape, neck seems straight and can be played, Inlays on head are cool. I can send pics if there is interest out there, need to get $300. Thanx, Casey

      1. Re: May Bell Slingerland
        Barbara Valenti

        : A ’20’s May Bell Slingerland?

        : You Can probably get near to 399,999.00 For it.

        : How do I find the year mine was made? I have just obtained it.

      2. Re: May Bell Slingerland
        Max Day

        : A ’20’s May Bell Slingerland?

        : You Can probably get near to 399,999.00 For it.

        I have one too, and its in perfect condition, just needs a skin, wow thats a real "deliverance" :))

    1. Re: May Bell Slingerland "banjo"
      Dave Kolars

      : Hi – I inherited a 20’s "May Bell Slingerland" tenor banjo. Just
      : had it refitted and gone over, by a upstate NY banjo player (Pete
      : Gaskins). He told me it is a tenor 4-string instrument. I believe
      : my dad bought it used, in the later 20’s. Any info on these?
      : Are they common?
      : Thanks,
      : Fred 10/06 Washington, NC

      Yes, they are fairly common — it seems that at any given moment, there is at least 1-2 for sale on eBay — I think that right now there are 3-4 for sale there… go to http://www.slingerlandguitar.com and look at the catalongs that are there to see if you can find your model — they made dozens of models over the years, so you might not see it as I only have (for now) 2 catalogs. HTH DK

      1. Re: May Bell Slingerland
        Roni

        : : Hi – I inherited a 20’s "May Bell Slingerland" tenor banjo. Just
        : : had it refitted and gone over, by a upstate NY banjo player (Pete
        : : Gaskins). He told me it is a tenor 4-string instrument. I believe
        : : my dad bought it used, in the later 20’s. Any info on these?
        : : Are they common?
        : : Thanks,
        : : Fred 10/06 Washington, NC

        : Yes, they are fairly common — it seems that at any given moment, there is at least 1-2 for sale on eBay — I think that right now there are 3-4 for sale there… go to http://www.slingerlandguitar.com and look at the catalongs that are there to see if you can find your model — they made dozens of models over the years, so you might not see it as I only have (for now) 2 catalogs. HTH DK

        HI I just recieved a banjo from my dad and would like some information on it. It has a pearl look alike backing and I think Mother of pearl keys on the neck. the top of the banjo has may bell on it by the string adjustments, As you can tell Im a begenner and really dont know what everything si called

        Tks
        RC

    2. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Fred Osborne
      Fred Osborne

      Hi – I inherited a 20’s "May Bell Slingerland" tenor banjo. Just
      had it refitted and gone over, by a upstate NY banjo player (Pete
      Gaskins). He told me it is a tenor 4-string instrument. I believe
      my dad bought it used, in the later 20’s. Any info on these?
      Are they common?

      Thanks,
      Fred 10/06 Washington, NC

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