Re: Washburn 220- 1906-15 Nice?
Originally Posted by
NickR
......but I assume these old instruments had quite high action when new.
I think that is an erroneous assumption, Nick. I don't think high action was the norm.....
I've owned numerous Washburn / American Conservatory mandolins (including a 220 model) and quite a few other bowlbacks from this era: Martin, Vega, Favilla, Bruno, Schmidt, Ricca, Weymann, Waldo, etc.) that had excellent playing action.
This is what we often see: 100+ years of string tension causing a bit of top deflection and the neck angle changes.
It doesn't take much to throw things out of wack. Which is why adjustable truss rods do their thing.
With their dovetail neck joint, these do offer the promise of a much easier (relatively) neck reset process than their Italian bowlback cugini.
But it is a bit of work.
The pity here is that the instrument is lovely and in good cosmetic condition.
One might fiddle with the bridge here and improve the playability somewhat, but I'm with Joe...I'd sadly steer clear.
Mick
Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
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