Mandolin by Blind Thomas Doolittle

[Charles E.]

Over the years I have seen a number of instruments, mostly violins, made by "outside" or folk artists. Some are playable, some not but they always had a certain charm. Thinking about just a regular person, with no training, wanting to make a musical instrument with what ever tools and materials they happen to have and make music. Often as not these instruments come with no labels and no history. The other day a customer came in the shop with a mandolin in pieces, in a box, It was obviously in bad shape but cool none the less, and it came with a story...........




The label reads, "This is the 40th mandolin made by blind Tommy Doolittle, June 4, 1926 Fairmont West -Va"

[jim simpson]

I love this story, thanks for sharing! It would be great to see this instrument restored.

[Charles E.]

I have a little more information that I forgot to photograph, I will try to get it up soon. Most of it is anecdotal but interesting none the less.

From my observations the top of the mandolin is made from poplar and the back and sides are made from cherry. I wonder, from the shape, if this could be one of his violin-mandolin instruments?

[Jim Garber]

I wonder, from the shape, if this could be one of his violin-mandolin instruments?

It sure looks like it would be one of those.