Supro’s calling card in the 1950s was celluloid, particularly the simulated mother-of-pearl pattern that appeared on kitchen tables of the period and is affectionately known today in the guitar world as “mother of toilet seat”.

The Belmont, with it’s “sherry maroon” pearloid covering, replaced the lowly Ozark models in 1954.

Supro was owned by Valco, which evolved from the National and Dobro companies of the late 1920s. Although there were no Supro acoustics, this 1960 Belmont sports a piece of the company’s acoustic history with it’s flared tailpiece, a style that originated on the earliest National and Dobro resonator guitars.

The Supros have a kitschy appeal today, and, true to their appearance, they were not very sturdily made. In addition, their pickups were weaker than those of other major makers. They did, however, maintain their aesthetic flair, as the celluloid look gave way to molded fiberglass in the early 1960s.

The Supro brand also supported Valco’s amplifier line, and the budget line lasted until 1967, when Valco acquired the Kay company and promptly went bankrupt.