Any clues about this British-made mandolin?

[Greg Schochet]

This was brought in by a student of mine, recently given to her by her mother, who still lives in England. Mom was apparently quite the folkie back in the 60s and 70s, rubbing shoulders with the likes of John Martyn, and still has a thing for nice instruments.

There's no label inside, but is a very nice mando, with high quality woods and great playability and sound. Mom lives in Devon, but my student doesn't know where or when she got it, only that it was likely many decades ago.



any help appreciated!

[Ray(T)]

There are many small builders over here in the UK, who come and go, but I don’t recognise that particular one. What I would say though, is that it doesn’t look very old to me.

[Simon DS]

Look at the filler around that E.
-ouch, that hurts!

It’s pretty though, what does it sound like?

[Dagger Gordon]

I can't think of a maker. I once had an electric mandolin called an Errington, but it was quite different to this (I'm making an assumption that the builder's name began with E). There were not many mandolin players in the 60's and people played whatever they could find.

I agree with Ray (T), that in fact it doesn't look that old. It's got more the look of a 'Celtic' styled mandolin from the 70's. It is true that the E is not very professionally done, which makes me suspect it may have been made by a local, possibly part-time guitar maker.

I think it looks quite nice.

[stevojack665]

It doesn't seem to be that old to me, unless the tuners have been replaced. Any photos of the back of the headstock? They look like Schaller MNI3 machine heads. Those have not been around since the 60s. I think they were first made in the 90s. I guess that is still several decades ago. Maybe I'm the one that's old!
Best, Stevo

[Simon DS]

Perhaps the OP’s student’s mother’s mandolin from misty Devon in the 60’s or 70’s was replaced and this replacement was labeled by someone who called himself Henry?

[CarlM]

Perhaps the OP’s student’s mother’s mandolin from misty Devon in the 60’s or 70’s was replaced and this replacement was labeled by someone who called himself Henry?

Are you suggesting this might be the eighth replacement?

[Marty Jacobson]

Obviously it couldn't be a Willie or a Sam...

[Simon DS]

Are you suggesting this might be the eighth replacement?

Quite possible. And I wouldn’t be surprised if this very mandolin was once a prop in an Agatha Christie play, a real one. The plot thickens...

What’s certain is that the longer we discuss the history of this interesting, pretty instrument, the more valuable it becomes.

[MikeEdgerton]

I don't know how old the student's mom is but the 60's and the 70's are both a blur to me.

[jimmy powells]

Eccleshall made electric mandolins. Possibility? The Ecclehall name was always in full so probably not.

[MikeEdgerton]

I suspect the E was added by someone that owned it to an unmarked mandolin.

[Simon DS]

I wondered about that. If there was a different logo on the instrument before, then the enthusiast would have cut the ‘E’ to the same size without realising that logos are often off centre, with a flourish.
That would explain why the E is perhaps too far to the right?

[PseudoCelt]

It looks similar to, but not the same as, an Ashbury Style E. The body is very similar, but the headstock is different. I think they were designed by Phil Davidson, but were/are not built by him.

Patrick

[Simon DS]

Some pictures of Devon. Notice the surf board on the VW van. Nice!
This mandolin was in all probably built in one of those beautiful cottages.
If anyone has any sea shanty vids, please post them.

[Ray(T)]

I must protest! Photos of Devon and not a spoonful of clotted cream in sight?

(For those on the wrong side of the pond - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clotted_cream )

[Tavy]

That's not proper Devon, that's more like this:



As for the mandolin, no ideas - not one of mine Unless it's a really early Chris Eccleshall maybe, but as has been said already, his have a rather neater "Eccleshall" in full on the headstock.

[almeriastrings]

The work on the mandolin looks very clean and of good quality.

The inlaid 'E' looks like someone's first attempt. Very much doubt that whoever made the instrument did that inlay.

[Simon DS]

1968. Fall in love, get high, go out to your workshop, stumble around in the dark with a candle, hot wax dripping over your hand is so beautiful, those colours, ohhh, carve a girl’s name on your first mandolin, wake up in the morning
...oh, no, what the hell!