Adieu to a Faithful Strad-O-Lin

[allenhopkins]

About 25 years ago, I was leading a mandolin workshop at a folk club weekend. A lady in her 80's taking the workshop, showed me a mandolin she'd had under her bed for, she said, 40 years. It was a pretty rough Strad-O-Lin, crazed finish, mega crack in the top, in one of those tan canvas bags that cheap mandolins used to have.

She asked me what it was worth, in my opinion, and I said if it were fixed up, it might be worth a couple hundred dollars. She asked if I'd buy it from her for $25; I said "Sure!" and went home with it. I had the crack structurally (not cosmetically) repaired, and within a few months replaced the tuner buttons, bought a serviceable hardshell case.

The Strad became my frequently-used knock-around mandolin, the one I took to picnics and camping trips, slung over my back while walking around festivals, brought to sing-arounds and outdoor jams. I performed with it, recorded with it, took it along when I wasn't sure if an instrument would be welcome, but wanted one "just in case." And I bragged from time to time what a bargain I'd found.

But last week, at Stutzman's here in Rochester, I saw on the wall another Strad-O-Lin -- a fancier model, better condition, with that characteristic "better-than-expected" sound. For less than $250. So I brought my long-time friend to offer up in trade;* Dave looked it over, worn and scratched and scuffed as it was, and offered $60. Deal! -- and I took the "new" Strad home.

I hope some kid, or beginner, or musician with limited resources, buys the old Strad-O-Lin for the less-than-$100 Dave will probably sell it for. There are many, many better looking instruments -- less worn, shinier, with real (not painted-on) binding, smooth finishes, pickguards more firmly attached, nicer tuners and tailpieces. But that old mandolin has got a good sound, a decent (though short) neck, working tuners, and years left in it. After a quarter century, it doesn't owe me, or its new owner, a thing. I'll miss it, even as I enjoy my "new" Strad-O-Lin.

*Should point out that at this point in my career, I'm trying to de-accession an instrument if I acquire a new one. This instrument "stash" is really out of hand...!

[Ron McMillan]

A nice tale. Thanks for teaching me a new word. 'De-accession' had to be looked up, but now, unlike that old Strad-O-Lin, it's a keeper

[JeffD]

There was a nice looking strad in the classifieds going for a song. I see it has sold, and I think it was a real good get.