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Thread: 1920? Martin Bowlback- TLC Needed

  1. #1

    Default 1920? Martin Bowlback- TLC Needed

    This looks like a mandolin with a good future- subject to the necessary attention. It is all original although the guard has broken up. This is a mandolin that needs no frills or glitz- it is basic but I imagine it might be very good to play once fixed up. No mention of the serial number but it may be earlier than 1920.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/18532922528...emCondition=10

  2. #2

    Default Re: 1920? Martin Bowlback- TLC Needed

    Nice clean design, but the ‘neck is a little loose’ on a bowl back should be taken seriously in terms of how much one might have to spend to do anything proper about it. There certainly is some name cachet for motivation, but bowl backs don’t get much respect, despite sometimes sounding great. Lets see what our fans of things bulbous think about this one!

  3. #3
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1920? Martin Bowlback- TLC Needed

    Is that a mahogany bowl?

    Not something you see everyday on Martin bowlbacks.

    I have a Harwood mahogany bowl mandolin and the grain is so tight and even it almost looks like a one-piece bowl.

    This is may be even a more basic model.

    The simpler 'student' model Martins were number 0, 00, 000 at least for awhile with the number of bowl ribs being at least one of the factors, though that seemed to vary, too.

    The student models I have played have been nice sounding serviceable mandolins, somewhere between the light and resonant Vegas and the broad shouldered Washburns.

    This is a pretty basic model.

    Mick
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  4. #4

    Default Re: 1920? Martin Bowlback- TLC Needed

    Threads here from long ago claim mahogany on the low-line versions, rosewood on the other series. And accessible neck dovetails, very good sound, low production, and high prices. So this one may be unadorned student grade, but worth fixing, in terms of playing or reselling.

  5. #5

    Default Re: 1920? Martin Bowlback- TLC Needed

    I have seen another that is the same described as a 00. However, I have seen a rosewood and more upmarket Martin also described this way, so this may by a 0.

    https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...yle-1815666988

  6. #6
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1920? Martin Bowlback- TLC Needed

    Quote Originally Posted by NickR View Post
    I have seen another that is the same described as a 00. However, I have seen a rosewood and more upmarket Martin also described this way, so this may by a 0.

    https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...yle-1815666988
    Well....I've owned a "0" that had a rosewood bowl, so I don't think that i itself was the defining characteristic, but as noted based as well on the number of ribs.

    May be an alternative 0 or an altogether other low cost model altogether.


    Mick
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  8. #7
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    Default Re: 1920? Martin Bowlback- TLC Needed

    It seems to be an 00 model from 1923-1925. 14-rib mahogany bowl.

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