Hi there, having trouble identifying an old mandolin. Anyone have a clue?
Printable View
Hi there, having trouble identifying an old mandolin. Anyone have a clue?
For posterity:
Post some more pics. We can't even tell if it is a bowlback or a flatback and I have a feeling those may be banjo-style tuners which would be unusual. Show us the side and any details that might give us clues. I have no guesses but that headstock configuration is common to both Italian and American mandolins. I am guessing it is a flatback due to its unusual shape.
Never seen anything like it. I would bet it is very difficult to tune with those tuners. :(
Indeed. It plays beautifully but tuning is frustrating 🙃
Looks like a cross between a mandolin and a balalaika
Too many strings!Quote:
Originally Posted by zgraft
Well, they both have strings right? :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray(T)
So does a tennis racket! It’s not really pointy enough to remind me of a balalaika.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton
Yup. The only similarity I see is the fact that they both have strings.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray(T)
It looks like a mandolin to me and the tailpiece resembles those made in Germany so it is possible that is where this was made. The headstock does not resemble the Italian or American vintage mandolins but is similar but more triangular.
Here are a few more of the provided photos:
The tailpiece looks German to me as well. Those banjo pegs would be a bear to keep in tune.
I love oddball mandolins but I was going to suggest you replace the banjo tuners. Actually, now that I look at the headstock it is probably way too narrow for any tuners except maybe Pegheds, Wittner violin tuners, or possibly Planetary banjo tuners—anything with internal gears. An example of a non-functional design.
Janet Davis Music (before they went out of business) used to sell these small diameter geared banjo tuners. I believe they were made in Germany. They probably would have fit.
Looks like good sonic potential with that big ol’ sound chamber. Too bad about the disastrous peghead design. Guess the designer missed “peghead do’s and don’ts” day at luthiers school. If the neck is otherwise good, as you imply, I’d be tempted to pull the tuners, fill the old holes completely with a drillable hard compound, trim the excessive paddle ends, and even stick on a bit of nice veneer to hide the inevitable ugliness—then drill all new holes in a configuration that makes some sense. (Parallel if not snakehead.)
And oh yeah, install actual mandolin tuners.
I mean, I wouldn’t actually do that, but I’d think about it.
I suspect there are times when the outter E and G tuner buttons (knobs closest to the nut) don't quite clear each other?
I was considering replacing the tuners, but also hoping to figure out if it has value before I start altering.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0wO-...L31CuXLLy3RQjQ
Spacing does not seem great if I want to use the existing holes
Think about Pegheds -- geared tuners disguised as friction pegs. Might fit your existing holes. One concern is that they're basically designed for violin and/or ukulele, and mandolin strings may exert higher tension. Here's the Peghed website.
The value isn't anything to worry about. It's rare but that doesn't make it valuable. In this case it's worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by MandoKranz
Gotoh apparently is making a geared uke peg that might work on this as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Garber
Great minds run in the same gutter, Allen!Quote:
Originally Posted by allenhopkins