1940 Stradolin- Renovation + Two Other Broken Mandolins

[NickR]

This is frustrating as there is a broken Kay and Asian mandolin- and if that is not enough, an old uke. This means the price is too high and you have to buy all that junk to get it. The photos are not great but the Strad has the Kluson tuners with the covers which need some buttons. The pickguard appears to be intact and I think it may have had the celluloid tailpiece which has been replaced and no bridge. Anyone thinking of buying it needs more photos of the instrument because it is battered but may be a more high end model. Perhaps, he might let the Stradolin go on its own after he has failed to sell the whole pile in one hit.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22491800985...kAAOSwqo9iLP2s

[Eric Platt]

Will disagree. I think it's a low end model as the back and sides look to be painted. Also, it's the lower level tailpiece.

Do agree that more photos of the SOL would be welcome to any potential buyer.

[Jeff Mando]

Probably a veneer, but the Kay body seems to have an insane amount of "flame!"

[NickR]

I would not expect a low level Stradolin to have those covered tuners- as they were reserved for the higher end models unless they ran out of the cheaper type and needed to finish an order. Even lower end models had a two piece cloud tailpiece at this time- although I daresay some had the single piece clamshell like this example. If that clamshell is original then it would definitely be lower end as suggested by the paint and the binding- or possibly lack of it. Here is a similar mandolin which has the late 1930s Waverly tuners and a less Ritzy pickguard, which is out of place on a lower end instrument but is very similar in many ways as it is also painted. I agree that that Kay is really flametastic!
https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/20...rad-o-lin.html

And this one that was made in the 40s- it has peened Kluson tuners:

https://evolutionmusicstore.com/prod...-original-case

Edit.
This old post I think shows pretty much the same model- it is ten posts down. Anyway, it is a Stradolon with those enclosed tuners and Ritzy celluloid pickguard and tailpiece. Its owner mentions it has laminated back and sides but solid top. The Artist models had that very stylised end to the fingerboard- not a straight cut as on this mandolin and the one on eBay.
https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...-ebay-Late-30s

[Richard500]

Nick, you may need to buy this, now that the SOL and Kay fans have been alerted! Naturally, if you inquire just about the SOL, the seller also knows what to look up. At the scrapyard, I usually don’t ask questions or ask the price, but start out with an offer.

[NickR]

Richard, I have pretty much given up buying anything from the USA now. Ebay charges you all the extras- tax and duty and if the paperwork is not done correctly by the seller, then all those charges are made again on entry. This happened with my last purchase in December and I filled in the forms and was told I would get a refund in 30 days- but not the "handling charge" made by the postal people. Anyway, 90 days came and went and I contacted what is known as the Border Force and I have just received a letter to say my refund was overlooked and it will be paid. It's just not worth the aggravation- at least before eBay got involved, you would only be charged the once and not have to get involved with the Kafkaesque world that has been created. Possibly, if something is sold using the Global Shipping Program- which I never liked in the past, I might change my mind.

[Jeff Mando]

...I have pretty much given up buying anything from the USA now....

But, you still enjoy "torturing" yourself by browsing USA eBay auctions! I'm in a similar position, I am very happy with what I have, yet I can't help looking!

[NickR]

Jeff, it is a bad habit, all right! I need a few bits and bobs but the cost is becoming exorbitant, so I will probably desist.

[Sue Rieter]

I guess you never know what you might see, and if you don't look, you won't see

[your_diamond]

I guess you never know what you might see, and if you don't look, you won't see

You can observe a lot by watching -- Yogi Berra

The neck on that Stradolin does not look straight. I messaged the seller and got no answer. Plus, this is the 4th time it's been listed with no bids. It's laminated back & sides. The tailpiece may have been replaced. There are better deals out there. Pass on this one.

[your_diamond]

I (finally) got an answer from the seller. THE NECK IS NOT STRAIGHT. Next.

[NickR]

It certainly looks bent in that first photo but getting that confirmed prevents making a mistake and buying it hoping for the best!