My Oliver Ditson

[VeeDubMaine]

This is my Oliver Ditson. I’ve had it for 30 years. Recently my house burned down but it survived. You can see where it was on the stand and the small spots on the back wasn’t effected! Still sounds great. I love the smoky patina. The pick guard melted off so I left the indent dark so it gives it the look of still being there. I feel very lucky to still have it in my life. Thanks for looking

[tree]

Wow. I'm struggling to keep from making a joke about a terrifying way to torrifiy your mandolin, or make a snarky reference to Lucille, but someone's house burning down is an inappropriate situation for humor. Glad you and your mando survived, that is one heck of a story!

[MikeEdgerton]

I'm glad it survived. Is that also stamped C.F. Martin?

[brunello97]

I'm glad it survived. Is that also stamped C.F. Martin?

Looks muy Martinoso to me.

Mick

[VeeDubMaine]

Here is a picture of the stamp. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I did some research a while back but I’m sure ya’ll may have some interesting facts.

[MikeEdgerton]

Here is a picture of the stamp. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I did some research a while back but I’m sure ya’ll may have some interesting facts.

Ditson was a distributor of all things musical. Things they sold with their name on it were generally made by others. They had facilities in Boston, New York, and at one time Philadelphia as well. They had a relationship with CF Martin. Your mandolin appears to be one that was built by CF Martin, probably in the early 20's. I've had a few of the Martin style A's like that with the inlaid pickguard. They are not totally uncommon but they are fun to find. The Martin Style A (not A Style) are generally sweet sounding little mandolins. I had one pass through my hands that was in pretty rough shape but yours is farther down the road than mine was.

[MikeEdgerton]

Jake Wildwood has this Martin Style A on his site. I think yours may be earlier but that's just a guess. They also made a Style AK that had a Koa body as opposed to Mahogany.

Oliver Ditson company also ordered the first of what became the dreadnought guitar style from CF Martin.

[CES]

So sorry to hear about your house, and echo the sentiment of others regarding your safety! It’s amazing that the mandolin survived. Notice any difference in tone s/p the torrefying and loss of the pick guard? I used to have a 1974 style A that is now under the stewardship of my daughter, who chose it over a Flatiron 1N and an Eastman 315 because of the shorter scale and lower setup. (Worked out well, because, for what I play, the other two were far better suited, though I sold them both in a downsize move a couple years later). It’s also more quiet than the others, which is good with her apartment living. I do enjoy playing it when we go visit, though.

I hope you’ve found a suitable living space, and best of luck with the restoring/rebuilding process on the house. Peace.

[VeeDubMaine]

I think it sounds better!!