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Thread: new old washburn bowlback

  1. #1
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    howdy all, i'm in the process of buying this washburn bowlback mandolin, the lady i'm buying from got it in 1979 has had it these last thirty years. the patent date on the tailpiece says 1891...what do you think i can't post pictures, i'm to inept to figure it out, but...its in very nice condition, with some pick wear in the usual spots, it has a simple black pickguard, and 12 ribs on the back alternating flamed maple and a dark walnut. It comes with a canvas case... it has a hinged tailpiece, and the ebony fretboard has inlays on the 5, 7, 12 the 7 is a diamond and the 5th is a circle. dont know if thats significant to the dating process lastly it has 7 ply binding, wbwrwdw the r being red?... anyway what say ya'll?

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    i have a question, can you from the serial number tell when it was made? if so how.. is there a chart or something online to figure that out??? thanks for all input!

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    John,

    IM me for my email and I can put the pics online for you.

    Sounds like 1890s Washburn. Here is a style 71 from around 1892 that was on eBay some time ago.

    Jim
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  4. #4
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    This seems pretty close to your description: same fretboard inlays and binding pattern.

    According to the seller the label states "George Washburn-New Model##27100"

    Jim



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    wow, i found it's twin...exact same mando...really cool!thanks for your help, i now know alot more!

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    how does this particular model sound??? can you post pic os the lable???

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    John:
    Sorry, I don't own that mandolin... I just collect the jpegs and there wasn't one from that posting on eBay.

    Jim
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    is anyone out there know anything about this model, or teh old washburns in general, i haven't really been able to find out anything online. I was looking to find out about how common these mandolinsa are, and what they typiically go for (so i can see what kind of deal i got)i appreciate all input!

  9. #9

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    Sad to say, Washburn mandolins are massively abundant and thus worth precious little. #These 1889-1896 models are considerably less common than the later period, but still not usually particularly rare. #Style 71, as pictured above, was their most basic model of this era. #If in good working order, I think this could be expected to take in the $200s; if in truly exceptional condition, maybe in the $300s to ca. $400. #There are a small few characters who are well-versed in Lyon & Healy-made Washburn mandolins--keef and Neil Russell, e.g.--but precious little currently in print of any use. #Here are the most useful couple pages of which I'm aware:

    Russell, Neil. 2002. Luthier at Large. Mandolin Magazine, 3(4):37-38.




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    here tis got it in the mail ten minutes ago!!!
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    another

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    John:
    I only see the first photo. From that one, it looks in pretty good shape. You might want to check the bridge position as it may be a tad out of position. Usually they are closer to the cant.

    Jim
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    wow this mando sounds better than any other bowl back i've played. the inntonation is perfect...:D very sweet very flamed maple

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    and
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    oops
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    hi
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    another
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  18. #18
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    John:
    It looks like you got yourself a good one. Looks like the tuners might be new replacements but other than that a nice playable one. Make sure that that strings are not heavy ones. Congratulations.

    Jim
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    Wow. The tuners do look mighty new, but I suspect there is at least a possibility they are old and in excellent health. I don't see any evidence of a different tuner plate's footprint in the photos you've posted, John. All told, it looks absolutely delicious. I envy you.

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    wow i didn;t know the tuners weren't oroginal, they looked nice, and they hold pitch amazingly, its a great sounding mando, i bought it off the classifieds from a lady in Co for a 150clams not a bad deal there, and i now have a new friend in co!

  21. #21
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    The tuners could very well be original -- they just look amazingly clean and shiny, well-preserved. Attached is pic from a similar period Washburn that was on Elderly some time ago.

    They do look very similar tho the Elderly one with the aged patina is more of what I would expect. Hey you can't really go wrong at that price.

    Jim
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  22. #22
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    Lovely bowlback there, John, congratulations! Great price, too, for a playable one. Looking at the strings, are they by any chance J62? If so, they're probably a bit heavy and I would go lighter to preserve structural integrity.

    Your photo shot down the neck is nice -- intriguing to see that the Washburn is pretty much completely flat across the width at the cant. My four Italian bowls all have a very distinct induced arch there, almost as much so as a carved archtop.

    Martin

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    the strings are matrin lights and they sound really good on her. an dyes the more i look at pics (like the one above) i'm more and more certain that they are original tuners, no old footprint, and the match up perfectly, they're just really good looking!

  24. #24
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    heres another with the hinged tail piece, its dated march 10 1891



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    closed
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