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Thread: Does anyone have info about these bowl-back mandolins?

  1. #1

    Default Does anyone have info about these bowl-back mandolins?

    Hi all,

    My name is Marcus, brand new to the forum, and looking to buy a mandolin. I know little to nothing about mandolins.

    Can someone give me info about these two that are for sale?

    https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/m...474760965.html
    Click image for larger version. 

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    https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/m...474854944.html
    Click image for larger version. 

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ID:	164693 I have already looked at this one. It felt lighter than it looks, which was a turn off. Plus it looked like there was something like solidified chew spit inside lol.

  2. #2

    Default Re: Does anyone have info about these bowl-back mandolins?

    If it were up to me I think I'd tend to favor the second because of the case and having an identifiable origin.

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  4. #3
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Does anyone have info about these bowl-back mandolins?

    Quote Originally Posted by marcusvolk View Post
    ..... It felt lighter than it looks, which was a turn off. Plus it looked like there was something like solidified chew spit inside lol.
    "Lighter than it looks" should be a turn on when it comes to a bowlback mandolin. The dried tobacco chaw is another thing.

    I nice light bowl should mean a resonant sound chamber. That mandolin is likely 100+ years old. If the "light" construction was going to cause problems, it would likely have done so by now. The Globe was likely made by one of the East Coast builders but it certainly has its bits of Italian influence: fretboard end cut to the curve profile of the soundhole and the cross section of the neck. Looks like maybe a tulipwood strip around the the bowl where it meets the top.

    I've often wondered whether these might have been imported and relabeled or made by folks just over from Italy and thus some of the detailing shows that influence. Italian bowlbacks from this era are even lighter.

    I'd go with the Globe in a heartbeat, all things equal when comping the two. At the asking price it should be readily playable with good action, etc. The CL photos look pretty good, though not conclusive.

    Wouldn't be a bad place to begin a mandolin relationship.

    Mick
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  6. #4
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Does anyone have info about these bowl-back mandolins?

    I would go for the Globe as well. I highly doubt the other is 100 years old. It looks more like 50-60 (maybe) and possibly not even Italian. The tailpiece is German, for what that is worth. It could be an all right instrument but the other is probably better.

    BTW I would guess that the "solidified chew spit" was some dried hide glue from some repairs. I could not see anything in the photos.

    I believe that Globe is a trademark of Charles Meisel of New York.
    Jim

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  8. #5
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Does anyone have info about these bowl-back mandolins?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    ...I believe that Globe is a trademark of Charles Meisel of New York.
    Right you are. says the Mugwumps Index.
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  10. #6

    Default Re: Does anyone have info about these bowl-back mandolins?

    I second Jim on the possible German origins of mandolin no. 1. The binding and pickguard are very similar to many versions made in the Markneukirchen region for several decades in the twentieth century, though they often had open headstocks.

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  12. #7

    Default Re: Does anyone have info about these bowl-back mandolins?

    Thank you all for your replies. I think I am going to forgo both at this time, and wait.

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