Re: Is this a Depression-era kit mando?
1. The "pickguard" on the OP's mandolin is a decorative decal, partially worn off by pick wear. My brother got an unlabeled (well, labeled "Made In USA") guitar through a catalog that had the top painted black where a pickguard would have been; he did a good job of wearing through that as well.
2. The alternating colored finishes on the OP's fingerboard are also attempts to "dress up" the look of the instrument. I'm clueless as to why certain of the color blocks are two frets and others one, but I'm sure there's a rationale behind it. Or not.
3. The mandolin on the cover of the E Z Method for Mandolin book is not an F-model; it's an A-model with f-holes (Citation by the Nomenclature Police).
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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