Results 1 to 3 of 3

Thread: Likely finish on '30s Chicago mandolin?

  1. #1
    Every day is a gift. Sheila Lagrand's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    San Tan Valley, Arizona
    Posts
    271

    Default Likely finish on '30s Chicago mandolin?

    My latest acquisition, the one that's labeled an SS Maxwell from Chicago, dates to the 1930s. Her finish, in particular, is in rough shape. What was her original finish likely to be? I'm asking because I'm trying to decide what I might do about the condition of the finish. When I removed the pick guard, the wood beneath it was both darker and glossier and the wood that's been exposed all this time.

    Here are two photos from an area along the treble side of the neck and rib where the finish is completely gone, showing the "edge" between finish and bare wood.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	finish.jpg 
Views:	96 
Size:	470.3 KB 
ID:	195506   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	finish too.jpg 
Views:	72 
Size:	344.2 KB 
ID:	195507  
    Phoebe, my 2021 Collings MT mandolin
    Dolly, my 2021 Ibanez M522 mandolin
    Louise, my 193x SS Maxwell mandolin
    Fiona, My 2021 GSM guitar-bodied octave resonator mandolin
    Charlotte, my 2016 Eastman MDO 305 octave mandolin
    And Giuliana, my 2002 Hans Schuster 505 violin, Nehenehe, my 2021 Aklot concert ukulele,
    Annie, my 2022 Guild M-140 guitar, Joni, my 1963 Harmony 1215 Archtone archtop guitar,
    Yoko, my ca. 1963 Yamaha Dynamic No.15 guitar, and Rich, my 1959 husband.

  2. #2
    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    15,863

    Default Re: Likely finish on '30s Chicago mandolin?

    Around 1925 the instrument industry changed over from varnishes to lacquer, so I would suspect your finish might be lacquer.
    Take the tuners off and put a small drop of lacquer thinner on the finish where it will not be seen with the tuners installed. If the finish softens, that indicates lacquer. If nothing happens it may be spirit varnish.

  3. The following members say thank you to sunburst for this post:


  4. #3
    Every day is a gift. Sheila Lagrand's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    San Tan Valley, Arizona
    Posts
    271

    Default Re: Likely finish on '30s Chicago mandolin?

    Thanks, John, I'll try that.

    By the way--the mandolin that Kevin was showing us today, the two-point, is beyond beautiful. Even just looking at pictures, the outstanding quality of craftsmanship is clear. Bravo!
    Phoebe, my 2021 Collings MT mandolin
    Dolly, my 2021 Ibanez M522 mandolin
    Louise, my 193x SS Maxwell mandolin
    Fiona, My 2021 GSM guitar-bodied octave resonator mandolin
    Charlotte, my 2016 Eastman MDO 305 octave mandolin
    And Giuliana, my 2002 Hans Schuster 505 violin, Nehenehe, my 2021 Aklot concert ukulele,
    Annie, my 2022 Guild M-140 guitar, Joni, my 1963 Harmony 1215 Archtone archtop guitar,
    Yoko, my ca. 1963 Yamaha Dynamic No.15 guitar, and Rich, my 1959 husband.

  5. The following members say thank you to Sheila Lagrand for this post:


Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •