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Thread: 1920ish Martin built? For S.S. Stewart

  1. #26
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1920ish Martin built? For S.S. Stewart

    I do remember the famous Verzi octave.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  2. #27
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1920ish Martin built? For S.S. Stewart

    Quote Originally Posted by brunello97 View Post
    ...folks want to will a mandolin to be a Martin, a Vinaccia or (mercy, mercy, mercy) a Larson...
    Anybody I know?
    Allen Hopkins
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  3. #28
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1920ish Martin built? For S.S. Stewart

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    Anybody I know?
    Ha! Actually, Allen, I was thinking of a fellow here a couple years ago who was convinced that his bowlback was a Vinaccia. Absolutely.

    Except it had another label in it.

    We went through a similar kind of discussion: "Yeah, well, we kind of don't think so."

    He was convinced there must be a Vinaccia label under the other label.

    A different version of "I know it must be a Martin / Gibson / Embergher etc., but the label must have just fell out...."

    So like Geraldo Rivera looking for Jimmy Hoffa's grave he scraped away the old label to find: nothing.

    I doubt it changed his opinion at all.

    Mick
    Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
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  5. #29

    Default Re: 1920ish Martin built? For S.S. Stewart

    Well.....Martin or not....I'm going to try and make it playable again. Anyone know where to buy good replacement fretboard for a mando like this? Took the strings off and it cracked. I tried to gently remove it and it was so dried out it practically fell apart.Click image for larger version. 

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  6. #30
    Teacher, repair person
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    Default Re: 1920ish Martin built? For S.S. Stewart

    You will have to measure the scale length. Most, but not all bowlbacks will have a scale length of 13". You will have to make sure, though.

    Measure the distance between the end of the fingerboard where it meets the nut and the center of the 12th fret. Double that number and you will have the scale length. You will have to measure with a precision rule and make sure that your result is very accurate.

    LMI [Luthier's Mercantile] can supply you with a fingerboard slotted to your specifications.
    Stew-mac fingerboards are slotted for a 13 7/8" scale and will not be suitable for your mandolin.

    Bear in mind that removing, replacing, and fretting a fingerboard is a job best done by a seasoned repair person.

    Oh, by the way, your current fretboard was made of what is often called "dyed pearwood," which is a wood that Martin never used.

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  8. #31

    Default Re: 1920ish Martin built? For S.S. Stewart

    This S S Stewart labelled mandolin turned up in the UK. It has a British case- circa 1920s and some music from John Dallas- also roughly that date. The mandolin is the same as the one that started this thread and no mention of its maker. I just thought I would post the photos- it is in much better condition and is exactly the same. I have a feeling that the Weymann suggestion is probably the most likely attribution for these instruments.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  9. #32
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1920ish Martin built? For S.S. Stewart

    Quote Originally Posted by NickR View Post
    The mandolin is the same as the one that started this thread and no mention of its maker.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Well, DMIS Nick.

    As we say here in Texas "If you're going to have one, might as well have two."


    Mick
    Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
    ______________________

    '05 Cuisinart Toaster
    '93 Chuck Taylor lowtops
    '12 Stetson Open Road
    '06 Bialetti expresso maker
    '14 Irish Linen Ramon Puig

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