Winton Mandolin.........Seeking Information

[Pappyrich]

I found an old Winton mandolin in an antique store today. I am curious for any information about this brand. I am considering it as a repair project just to practice my luthier skills. Lots wrong with it: back is loose, top is sunk (a little), cracks in top, smaller cracks in back, and fretboard has a crack. All are fixable. The good news is the neck is tight and the angle looks OK, and the tuners seem to work and look like they will cleanup.

I realize this is a low end mando, and would only buy it as a fix it project, but am interested in any information I can get.


Thanks for your thoughts.

[MikeEdgerton]

Without pictures it's just a wild guess. We have one other mandolin with that name on it here on the Cafe that was obviously built for the trade by one of the other Chicago builders and labeled. It's not a real treasure either way. The one you're looking at might be different. They are not listed in the Mugwumps encyclopedia so I assume they were a retailer, school, or maybe a teacher that was labeling instruments they bought unlabeled.

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...7-Winston-reso

[Pappyrich]

Got the pictures added to the original post. It was a file size issue.

I am also curious as to how much I should pay for this mando. I'm thinking $50 or less, but would appreciate your thoughts.

[MikeEdgerton]

This mandolin was made by Kay in Chicago for the trade and labeled by whomever sold it. The same mandolin in better shape is generally available weekly on eBay. Personally it would be a stretch for me to get to 50.00 but if you like it go for it. I'm just not into projects anymore. I can't quite tell if the tailpiece cover is there. If it is that's a plus. Make sure the neck joint is tight.

Here is a very deluxe version of the same design that Gruhn had.

[brunello97]

....I'm just not into projects anymore.....

That's what I know.

Mick

[NickR]

Kay made the same style mandolins at multiple price points and this one is an entry level version while the one sold by George Gruhn is probably the top level. In fact, the "Winton" is shown in a 1939 Grossman catalogue and the blurb tells us that the body is birch, an ebonized fretboard- accurately fretted- $7.50. Clearly, the budget did not stretch to a pickguard. As a luthier project it might be viable but as already suggested, you should not pay too much. Some of these old Kays- once playable sound pretty good but they are available in large numbers at low prices in the main. History buffs may like to know that Winton is the archaic name for Winchester in Hampshire, England.

[MikeEdgerton]

As well as the name of a bicycle and automobile manufacturing company in Cleveland, Ohio and the 6,722nd most popular surname in the US. The name is well traveled.

[NickR]

The Grossman Music Co was based in Cleveland as well- so that may have been why that name was used. I just happened to know about the name because my father had a student who was called Stephen de Winton and we all went to Winchester one day- and he explained that was the origin of his name! Indeed, it has travelled far afield.

[Pappyrich]

Thanks everyone for the information. Your comments confirm my thoughts exactly. I will probably contact the seller, share your thoughts, and make a very low offer. I really just want it as a project to continue improving my luthier skills. This one would provide lots of learning opportunities.

[NickR]

Those tailpiece covers sell for $50 or so. If it is present and you get it for $50 then you are even if push comes to shove. The old Grossman ad appears to show a "cloud" tailpiece cover and your photo suggests what may be the top edge of one.

[allenhopkins]

As well as the name of a bicycle and automobile manufacturing company in Cleveland, Ohio and the 6,722nd most popular surname in the US. The name is well traveled.

Yeah, and I live just a few blocks from Winton Road, and book entertainment for the North Winton Village Festival.

Jus' sayin'.....

[Pappyrich]

Just to put some closure on this post, I offered the seller $50 and he turned it down. I'll keep watching for it at the antique store and if it is still there in a couple of months, I'll will call him back and try again.

[brunello97]

Just to put some closure on this post, I offered the seller $50 and he turned it down. I'll keep watching for it at the antique store and if it is still there in a couple of months, I'll will call him back and try again.

Really? He turned down five sawbucks for this?

He must be doing well.

My hunch is that it will still be there in a couple months, maybe with a little more dust on it.

Offer him $45.

Mick