This is a fantastic analysis of a recently discovered L-5 which turned out to be the oldest known example! It was signed on February 28th 1923 and was in remarkable shape- just a 1940s tailpiece and...
Type: Posts; User: NickR
This is a fantastic analysis of a recently discovered L-5 which turned out to be the oldest known example! It was signed on February 28th 1923 and was in remarkable shape- just a 1940s tailpiece and...
Here is one. Judging by the label inside your mandolin- they changed every few years, your mandolin is an early example- about 1930. You may have strung it up as you did as that type of tailpiece is...
I will see if I have a Supertone ad somewhere- these were made in the early 30s while the tailpiece is a modern replacement. As Jake Wildwood mentions these mandolins can suffer from the neck diving...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/116096060679?itmmeta=01HRZ6T5NXX5ZR8SJ935X2MZZJ&hash=item1b07dd4d07%3Ag%3A0DAAAOSw2DJl64v1&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwI%2FpdDQLwBN1sF5%2BmJVhhXAWRaN2nTJ7J7wOdQObuszj8eBzmjzDTjh17wo...
Is this the same instrument? It does have a great case and is not a Harmony made instrument but a Strad-O-Lin.
https://reverb.com/item/40535667-harmony-armstrong-1930-s-sunburst-vintage-mandolin
On the basis it has original style Kluson tuners with the gears held by screws- not the WW2 versions and no evidence of Phillips screws, I would reckon it is an early example- made in 1937 or 1938 or...
One thing not mentioned so far is that the received opinion of the A-50 mandolin is that some can sound very good but they are often very average and many suggest that modern instruments from certain...
These appear to be be brand new Kluson type tuners for $55 or offer:
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"Take a look at the piece of paper. It looks like it came from the factory "BLK". I've seen a couple of original black A-50's before, so I think that it's original."
My last comment above does...
Those tuners it seems were made from 1947 to 1951- so that ties in with the 1952 price and the headstock logo. A black model is very odd but there may be a reason- black was often used so that less...
It looks like a refinished instrument- possibly done by Gibson. The crumbling tuner buttons are typical of Kluson units made over a long period of time. Show the tuners as they may help date it while...
Richard, I am glad yours has worked out. He mentions an age range and I think it is probably in that range- the shape of the headstock, the logo, the finish and the tuner type which is why I...
Those locks are so easy to pick but there you go- I suppose at least the mandolin was not slung out!
I have posted a photo at the Vintage Case Site and I hope that someone can offer advice. I have...
That's amazing- a wonderful instrument and case. Here's one that appears to be exactly the same: http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/62722
The one who found it and was going to chuck it...
The seller states: "Rough around the edges but solid." That's definitely the case- what looks like paint but could also be nicks, scratches and possibly a crack above one f hole and the bridge has...
Those dots look like MOP. The tuners are different to the other example and may well be US made but they are out of the ordinary. The same pickguard on both shows originality of that item. The...
Post some photos Jeff as it may have details that can help date it etc. I have two circa 1930 Serenader mandolins from B & J and they are Regal flat tops but the company did use just about all makers...
I think the Lark- which is from Regal has the same f holes. I know that bridges can be swapped but I have been looking for a Regal mandolin bridge for three years and have not found one yet, so they...
It looks like a Regal- like the this one which was sold as a Lark and is not made by Kay- which did make guitars branded as Lark. Clearly, this example has far fewer frills but that bridge looks...
The Kluson tuners are of a type made from 1956 to 1958, so during that period or a year or so later would be an educated suggestion for its age.
Here is the site that details these tuners:
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This Windsor Whirle tenor guitar my luthier rebuilt for me was made in Czechoslovakia in 1927. It has really wide grain as can be seen. This instrument had been modified extensively and was crushed...
Fairly low grade judging by the cheapest of tailpieces. 1950s Waverly tuners and I would assume an all laminate construction.
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Sue was looking for a tailpiece- this mandolin went for the price of its tailpiece!
It is a toned down version of the Regal Ultra Grand which sold for $135 or so with all the glitz which this one lacks. In fact, the basic hand carved model with no frills was sold by Wards for a mere...
I have seen one that looks to be made by Vega and others that are probably from Harmony but have been attributed to the Larsons. This one has a Larson attribution and appears to have the ebony under...