Grandads Mandolin

[Spotts]

I’d like to know any information on this old Gibson Mandolin from Grandads stuff..... It may be a plane Jane but off Google I cant find any other with the teardrop in that direction. It looks well used by the worn off finish on the back..... says number 4429

[pheffernan]

Unfortunately, it’s not a Gibson. It looks like a Regal Lyra and someone has stenciled or stickered its peghead.

[rcc56]

Yes, the label and logo are false. This instrument was made in Chicago, most likely by Regal. It was not made by Gibson.

[Charles E.]

That is a blatant fake, hopefully your Grandad did not pay much for it.

[Spotts]

Well you guys..... Hahaha! That’s sure a surprise! I guess Ill give it to my 16 yr old daughter who has learned quite a bit on her ukulele instead of the Smithsonian! LOL! Aww poop!

[Spotts]

OK! After a quick search I totally believe its a Regal Lyra. (Even sounds like Liar) Is it a toy or could it be worth a few bucks? I wanna put it on that storage wars show....

[rcc56]

No, it's not a toy. It was a reasonably well made, modestly priced instrument when it was built. These are worth a few hundred today if they're in playable condition and aren't too beat up. Yours appears to be in pretty good shape. It's in better condition than most of these that I see.

[bennyb]

Also known around these parts as a "reverse scroll" or "smurf" mandolin. You can use those terms to search the MCafe "Looking for Information" forum for more information, if you're inclined. Here's one among many.

[allenhopkins]

Somebody went to a lotta work to phony-up the headstock logo and label. Wonder if somewhere in its history someone worked a major swindle, pocketed big beaux?

[NickR]

Here is one sold by Lyon & Healy- which had a very close relationship with Regal- Regal made many of their instruments. Your mandolin has lost its original tailpiece- it may have had one like this mandolin or possibly a less expensive one that came in one piece without a cover. Your mandolin has one in the style of a Gibson tailpiece and it looks to be a relatively recent addition.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/39328736815...p2047675.l2557

[CarlM]

Is it a toy or could it be worth a few bucks? I wanna put it on that storage wars show....

The best place for it would be in the hands of your 16 year old daughter if she is interested. The family heritage would be more value than the few dozen or hundred bucks it would get you.

[Simon DS]

Nice! As a family heirloom it’s actually kind of cool that it’s a fake, makes for a colourful story, and makes you want to know more.

It definitely needs to be setup properly though, before a beginner uses it.
You really want it to sound good as a reward for the hard work that a beginner will put into it.
And she’ll need a good instructor too, couple of lessons before she decides.

[Ray(T)]

The tailpiece looks quite recent.

[MikeEdgerton]

The instrument was designed by Frank Kordick the president of Regal in Chicago. The patent is below. Although these reverse scroll mandolins were manufactured with dozens of brand names and many without any brand on them none of them were ever labeled Gibson. I'm sure your grandfather knew that and enjoyed his mandolin.

https://patents.google.com/patent/USD46366

[pops1]

If you decide to play it put on light strings, it's not built for regular mandolin strings.