Hopefully some of you SOL experts or aficianados can help me. Is this the real deal or is it an import of knock off? (See my description and details below.) I put the pictures up above in Group Photos (under Alfbell) because I couldn't figure out how to put them into my post. Description: Have no idea how old this is. In good playing condition. Intonation is good. Sound and tone is pretty good too. Archtop with F holes. Appears to have solid maple top, bottom and sides; the one piece back and the sides look like curly maple; not sure what the neck and headstock wood is; the finish has spider or hair cracks over majority of surface (but no cracks in the wood); rosewood adjustable bridge; rosewood fretboard with18 frets (neck does not appear to be warped); floating pickguard and tail plate cover are probably plastic imitation tortoise shell; open tuners; edging is painted on (not purfling) and some of the paint is warn off and there are lots of little nicks around the edging; logo on headstock is painted on by stencil; there is a small hole at the bottom (maybe someone installed or attempted to install a pickup?); has some minor nicks and dents. Has old, worn out case with blue felt interior, plastic handle and two exterior latches. Not a luthier or mandolin player but I will say that it plays pretty well but probably needs a full going over and to be fully set up for maximum playability and tone. (This description is based solely upon my examination and I could be wrong about certain points.)
Your description suggests it is a Stradolin, not a copy.. Bart McNeil