Hi there everyone,
anyone have knowledge on this beautiful mandolin i own now?
no markings on it or in it...
excellent condition.
any help would be appreciated on identifying.
thank you
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Hi there everyone,
anyone have knowledge on this beautiful mandolin i own now?
no markings on it or in it...
excellent condition.
any help would be appreciated on identifying.
thank you
Sorry your uncle is gone. Do you remember him playing the mandolin? Looks like a decent instrument. Time to learn to play!
To me it appears American made, first quarter of the 20th century, high quality (multiple bindings, figured wood back & sides). I've been perusing my reference books of Regal and Washburn mandolins, even sneaking a peek at C F Martin, Supertone and Oscar Schmidt, but I don't find the particular headstock shape matched anywhere. Closest to the headstock shape and the "wrap-around" pickguard were a couple Weymann mandolins, made in Philadelphia, but most of the flat-back mandolins from Weymann that I've seen, had "fiddle edges" -- the edges of top and back extended beyond the sides.
The body shape is also more rounded than most other US-made flat-backs I've seen from that period. Hoping that some more informed Cafe members will chime in.
I have made too many mistakes trying to look at pics on my phone so will come back. What I can’t see is the neck joint near the headstock. This looks much later than early 20th century. My gut says, for some reason, French but will reserve any decision to later.
Any idea if the Bluegrass Music Shop from the pick is still in operation? There's no area code, so I've got no idea where it might be. But if it's local and still open maybe they can help identify the mandolin.
Not enough coffee to render a reliable opinion, but doesn't that mandolin look a bit bandolinnish?
The tailpiece is American but the same tailpiece can be found on Clifford Essex of London mandolins. I have been told that those mandolins were made in Europe and finished off in London- hence the American tailpiece and tuners you see on some Clifford Essex mandolins. Of course some of the instruments were made in London. Some close ups of the tuners would be good- I think they are American. I am not saying it is by Clifford Essex. Where are you based?
Edit: This is a Clifford Essex mandolin- not the same but it has that tailpiece: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f9/c9...c9ed1d560f.jpg
Here is an "Italian" mandolin- lower quality but very similar-same tailpiece but tuners are recessed and they look American made. I have taken a closer look at your photos and can see the tuners are recessed on your mandolin as well. These two mandolins were almost certainly made by the same maker.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/373464164240
I can't seem to post a photo- you will have to go to eBay.
Edit: I am wondering if the mandolin in question has been refinished at some point? I am thinking it is virtually identical to the eBay mandolin except for the finish- especially on the back.
The eBay mandolin that NickR found definitely has many similar features although I have no clue why the seller says it is Italian-made not can I figure out what that plate is at the first fret or that piece of metal(?) near the tailpiece. It actually looks like an older tailpiece.
It is possible that these were both made in the same era and the OP's was refinished and refurbished.
This phone number goes to the Bluegrass Musicians Supply in Columbus, OH, which according to the internet is still open. It's been around forever and apparently back in the day the saturday morning jams were legendary.Quote:
Originally Posted by Miltown
https://www.instrumentshopcolumbusoh.com/
Jim, thank you for getting those photos up. I assume the seller states Italian because it looks a little bit exotic! I can't make out aspects of it- it's had some mods!