Has anyone heard of a Johnston Mandolin...made in Gun Barrel City, Texas?
Has anyone heard of a Johnston Mandolin...made in Gun Barrel City, Texas?
Several references to a J V "Old Man" or "Ol' Man" Johnston building instruments in Mabank TX, which is either adjacent or affiliated with Gun Barrel City. Here's a 3-point made in 1985 on sale on Reverb, and here's a 2016 thread about him.
Doing a quick scan, I gathered that he has/had somewhat of a rep for regraduating the tops of later Gibson mandolins -- worked on one of Tut Taylor's instruments, reputedly. Check out the thread for some critiques of his instruments from Cafe members who've played them, or knew pickers who had.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
Has that three-pointer been on Reverb al these years???
"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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