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Thread: Unknown Antique Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Unknown Antique Mandolin

    Hi. I was hoping someone might recognize this mandolin. The body and neck are carved from one piece of wood. The pick guard slips into the side of the bridge. I cannot find any markings on it. I bought this at a farm estate sale. Sounds great. Needs new string though. Thank you.
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  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Unknown Antique Mandolin

    What you have is an attempt by a fairly talented wood worker to build an instrument similar (but not exactly the same) as the Orville Gibson patented design. I'm going to guess that it was done sometime in the late 20's to early 30's just by the tuners but they could have been salvaged off an older mandolin. The bridge looks like it came off or was a copy of a Gibson bridge from the 20's and the tailpiece is totally hand made. It's a piece of folk art. It was not factory built. Barring someone writing their name inside (look with a dental mirror at the underside of the top) you won't find any real references to ID it.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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  4. #3

    Default Re: Unknown Antique Mandolin

    Thank you for the information.

  5. #4
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Unknown Antique Mandolin

    The Gibson patent describes carving the neck and the back from a single piece. The overall two point shape was used by a few different builders by the time this was built. The patent is here.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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  7. #5

    Default Re: Unknown Antique Mandolin

    Does it have any value? I paid $100.00 for it. Hope I didn't over pay.

  8. #6
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    Default Re: Unknown Antique Mandolin

    FWIW...I think that the wood used...esp. as shown in pic #5...is really pretty. Not sure about the value, but it's a great art piece in my opinion...
    Tammy

    2006 Weber Bitterroot F
    October 2009 Breedlove Quartz OO
    Martin Backpacker Mandolin

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  10. #7
    Confused... or?
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    Default Re: Unknown Antique Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by darin99 View Post
    ... Hope I didn't over pay.
    Heck, with Mike's response to your question, you've given the rest of us at least $99 worth of education. I'd say you're doing real well!
    - Ed

    "Then one day we weren't as young as before
    Our mistakes weren't quite so easy to undo
    But by all those roads, my friend, we've travelled down
    I'm a better man for just the knowin' of you."
    - Ian Tyson

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  12. #8

    Default Re: Unknown Antique Mandolin

    Thank you.

  13. #9
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Unknown Antique Mandolin

    You probably won't get much more than that.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  14. #10
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    Default Re: Unknown Antique Mandolin

    GREAT find . . . enjoy!

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