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Thread: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    Hi all. I'm new here and this is my first post. I purchased this tater bug from my neighbor's estate auction a couple of years ago. As you can see, the inside label is gone so I was just wondering if anyone here can help identify this one.
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  2. #2
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    I believe this is a Florentine model by Luigi Ricca. It was their budget model. Here is a catalog page.

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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    If indeed a Ricca, as Diego suggests, the label might have looked something like this.

    A bit of the outer oval ring appears visible.

    Strange that it appears to have been scratched away....

    Mick
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  6. #4

    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    That does look like that's what this is. Any idea of today's value? I'm not wanting to sell it, my grandson is interested in learning to play it. Just wondered if it was appropriate for an 8 year old.

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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    It seems not to have the original bridge.

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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidKOS View Post
    It seems not to have the original bridge.
    It looks to have some sort of compensated saddle, even though the strings slots seem a bit haphazardly spaced.

    Mick
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by brunello97 View Post
    It looks to have some sort of compensated saddle, even though the strings slots seem a bit haphazardly spaced.

    Mick
    It appears to me that someone cut down a bridge for an archtop mandolin. I could be wrong.

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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidKOS View Post
    It appears to me that someone cut down a bridge for an archtop mandolin. I could be wrong.
    You may be right, David.

    I can't ID what the apparent white stripe of material is north of the bridge / saddle.

    Mick
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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    Is a taterbug mandolin worth less than a bowlback mandolin? Asking for a friend.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    Mike..."taterbug" falls in there somewhere just South of "Gibby" as a virtual reproduction of fingernails on a chalkboard.

    Gibby is certainly worse, but the margin is close.

    There are others which I'm working hard not to call to mind. The penultimate rooftop scene of Ghostbusters comes to mind.

    I think referring to a mandolin by the name of a particular pest for the common Solanum tuberosum should cause the price to increase.

    Mick
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    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by brunello97 View Post
    ...I can't ID what the apparent white stripe of material is north of the bridge / saddle....
    I'm hypothesizing that some material was added under the bridge to make fuller contact with the flat top of the mandolin, since the bridge looks like it was designed for an arched-top instrument.

    As to market value: $200-250, maybe? I'm not familiar with the maker Luigi Ricca, but this appears to be a entry-level instrument, as Jim G says. Assuming that it's playable.
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  19. #12

    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by bevken86 View Post
    That does look like that's what this is. Any idea of today's value? I'm not wanting to sell it, my grandson is interested in learning to play it. Just wondered if it was appropriate for an 8 year old.
    Here is my suggestion.

    The double mandolin strings can be challenging to push, but according
    to reports Sierra Hull started when she was young. Get your grandson
    a lesson. If he likes to pursue it, craigslist usually lists modern flat top
    (and back) mandolins in the $100 range. Buy him one of those to learn
    on. If your grandson follows through you will have made a wise investment.
    If not you aren't out much.
    Thanks,
    sounds_good

  20. #13
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    I'm hypothesizing that some material was added under the bridge to make fuller contact with the flat top of the mandolin, since the bridge looks like it was designed for an arched-top instrument.

    As to market value: $200-250, maybe? I'm not familiar with the maker Luigi Ricca, but this appears to be a entry-level instrument, as Jim G says. Assuming that it's playable.
    Allen, Ricca was involved in the piano making business in the NY / Northern NJ region, I believe before and for some period congruent with his mandolin production.

    Some very nice mandolins and some very modest ones came out under his label.

    It appears he had some talented folks working for him including one GM DeJulio who made some very ornate mandolins touting himself as the "late foreman at LRicca".

    I owned a quite beautiful mid range Ricca for awhile, which for the life of me I don't know why I sold.

    I believe Diego G owns one or more Riccas and can likely fill in and / or correct my sketch outline above.

    For those interested in the Italian / Italian-American influence on US mandolin-making, Ricca e nel bel mezzo di esso.

    Mick
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  22. #14
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    Methinks the bridge is by some reptilian dentist from yesteryear and that the real saddle is the white part and the rest is merely using the non-BB bridge to raise the action over the soundboard.
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    I sold all my Riccas to another MCer a few years ago. I think the mandolin biz was overtaken by the profitability of the piano biz at least by the turn of the last century which is about when LR moved his manufacturing facility to NJ.
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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Methinks the bridge is by some reptilian dentist from yesteryear and that the real saddle is the white part and the rest is merely using the non-BB bridge to raise the action over the soundboard.
    So it's like a double-decker bridge?


    Mick
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    Or a bridge that functions similarly to a zero fret, i.e., one part raises the strings and the other separates them properly.
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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identify a Tater Bug Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Or a bridge that functions similarly to a zero fret, i.e., one part raises the strings and the other separates them properly.
    That's the familiar setup on the iconic Vega bridges and the DeMeglios with a brass saddle.

    Having a compensated string spacer as on the Ricca just adds that much more compensation.

    You've got to keep 'em separated.



    Mick

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