Re: bowl back mandolin attic find, help identify?
Very similar to a mandolin I recently found at an estate sale. Mine is clearly stamped "Geo. Bauer Philadelphia" on the back of the headstock. This dates it to about 1900.
The decorative binding around the sound hole and top edges are also similar although yours appears to be an upgrade, as is the pick guard. Also the inlay on the fret board is nicer. No labels inside or any other markings?
Jim Garber is one of our resident experts on bowlbacks and helped identify mine. According to Jim, Bauer was bought out / assimilated into S.S. Stewart back around 1900 and Stewart made instruments for other labels, music stores etc. I would image Jim will be along shortly.
And yes go to the ultra light strings ASAP. If you are not confident enough about doing it yourself have who knows what they are doing work on it. Might want to lightly oil the tuners to make sure they work properly.
As I recently found out these bowlbacks are a really sweet sounding instrument when put in working condition. Well worth fixing up!
Ratliff R5 2007, Capek A5 2003, Washburn M5S-SB Jethro Burns 1982, Mid-Mo M-2, Epiphone MM 30 Bk mandolins, Harmony Batwing 1970's, George Bauer bowlback early 1900's Philadelphia.
"Don't cloud the issue with facts!" Groucho Marx
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