During my second sweep of the Cafe's ads (like any other MAS-afflicted denizen of this forum) the other morning I noted that Walter must have been on Spring break for Carter's new posting of a 1930s L&H style B mandolin. As I perused the listing, I concluded that it was most likely a pre-1920 Style A - always on my wish list and at a great price.
https://cartervintage.com/shop/lyon-...Z01mriiIPfdm4e
Ever the sucker for a twin point mandolin, I crossed my fingers, decided I would buy flowers for my wife before I told her about the purchase and jumped on it like a hungry dog on a soup bone. Carter's did honor the transaction and it arrived yesterday.
The Good: It is indeed a long-scale Style A from prior to the transition to the asymmetric body style that was introduced in about 1920/21. No cracks in the body or on the headstock. The tuners work well and the vulcanized fiber has not deteriorated. The finish is in good shape and the original case is usable. It sounds great in closed positions and intonates well at the 12th fret.
The Not-so-Good: I think somebody tinkered with it recently. The Phillips head screw holding the pick guard in place is obvious. Somebody inserted a zero-fret (I have never seen an original with a zero fret) and may have replaced the fingerboard. Carters stated that the neck was refinished (no biggie). I think it will need a fret leveling and set-up: it produces a sitar-like sound on the open D strings that is not present when I fret the first fret on the D course or play further up the neck.
All-in-all I'm quite satisfied. There is no label and I can't find a serial number, but I'm satisfied that it is an early Style A. I'll have my tech check out the D course buzz and set it up. Change out the strings from Phosphor Bronze to Thomastiks and might have to learn to play some Classical music.
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