I'm a new guy too. Crown No. 2

[g3ride69]

I really hope my images show up.

I got this at an auction. I have tried googling and searching here.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I will try to add more pictures tomorrow.

It is a bowlback. That is about as much as i know.

I would hate to let my kids get ahold of it if it had a great value.

Most likely my wife will trek it around local bluegrass and irish festivals.

Thank you for looking.
Randall

[Bill McCall]

From what I can see, you haven't won the lottery.

A full length picture would be nice, front and back.

[Jim Garber]

Let your kids get ahold of it, unless, of course your kids are toddlers. We can pretty much guarantee that it will not have great value. Few bowlbacks sell for large amounts of money.

You might post some more photos for us bowlheads here. We'd like to see some full length shots both front and back. An older Japanese instrument would be interesting to see. Some folks don't realize that the Japanese have been into mandolin music, especially classical, since about 1905. This one might be from the early part of the 20th century.

I love "Made by Crown Mandrin Factory."

[Cobalt]

If it's playable, probably more suited to Irish than bluegrass. Though I agree you can play any type of music on any mandolin, the bowlback for me is more easily played when sitting down. Some festival situations may make standing up more convenient. Last time I played a bowlback in public, I was standing up, but was leaning against a wall with one knee raised to help steady the instrument. On the other hand, I'm not a fan of using straps on mandolins, so maybe I'm just an oddball.

I'd suggest a very light gauge of strings.

[allenhopkins]

As Jim G says, interesting almost solely for the provenance, an early Japanese-made bowl-back. I'd guess, despite the fact that mandolins were played in Japan, that the English-language label means it was made for export (?).

[g3ride69]

I appreciate all the replies. Hopefully these pics will provide a little more insight.

Is there any information about crown as a company or is there too many manufacturers around the world that collapsed before the interwebs could list them?

Does the part of the tailpiece that is broken off have any function?? Or is it just decorative to cover where the wires make the turn for cosmetics?

I am trying to hide it from my wife. So it is in my truck.

Based on posts here i chose, D'Addario J74 Mandolin Strings, Phosphor Bronze, Medium, 11-40, i find 7$ shipped pretty cheap so no problem trying out different strings.

If there is another place for good information please point that out too.
Thanks guys.

[g3ride69]

1 more pic.
Thanks[

ATTACH=CONFIG]183294[/ATTACH]

[Cobalt]

Based on posts here i chose, D'Addario J74 Mandolin Strings, Phosphor Bronze, Medium, 11-40, i find 7$ shipped pretty cheap so no problem trying out different strings.

Those strings are likely to be too heavy. The D'Addario EJ73 would be as heavy as I'd go, and even that may be too much. If you do fit the strings, keep a careful watch on the neck, it should remain straight. Be ready to slacken off the strings to release the tension if it looks like the neck is bending too much.

[g3ride69]

Those strings are likely to be too heavy. The D'Addario EJ73 would be as heavy as I'd go, and even that may be too much. If you do fit the strings, keep a careful watch on the neck, it should remain straight. Be ready to slacken off the strings to release the tension if it looks like the neck is bending too much.

What are the lightest you would recommend?
So i have a range.
Thanks

[brunello97]

Ultra light strings only on this. 09-32. Even the EJ73s are too beefy.
Don't even think about anything heavier.
Many a bowlback neck has been ruined by over stringing.
GHS ultra lights from Just Strings or Big City Strings are ultra affordable.

Mick

[g3ride69]

Ultra light strings only on this. 09-32. Even the EJ73s are too beefy.
Don't even think about anything heavier.
Many a bowlback neck has been ruined by over stringing.
GHS ultra lights from Just Strings or Big City Strings are ultra affordable.

Mick

Thanks Mick.

I ordered those.

I also want to order an adjustable bridge to have on hand just in case. This one seems old and fragile.

Any recommendations?

I appreciate your time/help.
Randall

[MikeEdgerton]

It looks like someone has put a banjo bridge on that instrument. Most bowlbacks don't have the neck angle to handle an adjustable bridge.

[g3ride69]

It looks like someone has put a banjo bridge on that instrument. Most bowlbacks don't have the neck angle to handle an adjustable bridge.

Thanks Mike.

I have seen a couple different styles. Would you please post a picture of what you think the appropriate bridge looks like for this bowlback?

It would be very helpful to me.
Randall.

[g3ride69]

I tried to number these but im on my phone and have fat fingers.

All suggestions are appreciated.

Thank you all!
Randall

[MikeEdgerton]

Some are more ornate than others and it all depends how how high the bridge needs to be but most bowlback bridges are this height or less. You can't get that low with an adjustable bridge.

[g3ride69]

Some are more ornate than others and it all depends how how high the bridge needs to be but most bowlback bridges are this height or less. You can't get that low with an adjustable bridge.

Mike
Is that 5 or 6 millimeters?
Thanks for the help.

[Martin Ohrt]

The bridge on my old bowlback (quite similar to yours) is 7 mm high.

[MikeEdgerton]

This one happens to be a Grover product, I'm not sure of the height but it if it's too high you can shave off the bottom.

https://grotro.com/product/tune-kraft-mandolin-bridge/

[Jim Garber]

You should post a side view so we can get a sense of the neck angle. And you should be able to tell what is needed even by the one string. Make it relatively taut, and stick that bridge you have and you should be able to get a sense of what bridge height you will need. There is a possibility that the neck angle might be way too far forward for any bridge. In that case it won't be worth putting too much costly work into it and you will have a nice wall decoration. Fingers crossed that you can string it up and play it.

Definitely agree with the GHS A240 set.

[Jim Garber]

I can't find anything about Crown Mandrin (sic) Factory but Jujiya Gakkiten is the name of the distributor/store that sold them. Also I found some sheet published by Jujiya Gakkiten.