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Thread: Westfield bowlback

  1. #1

    Question Westfield bowlback

    I was wondering if anyone has ever come across a Westfield “Neapolitan” style bowl back mandolin? I have come across one and trying to find out more about it.

    Westfield is a manufacturer of inexpensive guitars based in Scotland, many copies I believe. The company was active between 1989 and 2013. They have recently been taken over by RotoSound and re-established.

    I can see that they made/sold some very inexpensive A style, f-hole, mandolins, which can be found on sale on the internet, but I can’t find anything at all about their bowl back mandos. I have asked RotoSound, but they said that they have no historic information.

    I think this one was made mid to late 1990s.
    It looks like it could be Japanese, so maybe imported and badged? Or possibly a copy? I am really curious if there are any others around?

    Has anyone seen one of these? Know anything about them?

  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Westfield bowlback

    Quote Originally Posted by sooZee View Post
    I was wondering if anyone has ever come across a Westfield “Neapolitan” style bowl back mandolin? I have come across one and trying to find out more about it.

    Westfield is a manufacturer of inexpensive guitars based in Scotland, many copies I believe. The company was active between 1989 and 2013. They have recently been taken over by RotoSound and re-established.

    I can see that they made/sold some very inexpensive A style, f-hole, mandolins, which can be found on sale on the internet, but I can’t find anything at all about their bowl back mandos. I have asked RotoSound, but they said that they have no historic information.

    I think this one was made mid to late 1990s.
    It looks like it could be Japanese, so maybe imported and badged? Or possibly a copy? I am really curious if there are any others around?

    Has anyone seen one of these? Know anything about them?
    If it's that recent it is most likely a Japanese built bowlback. Can you post some pictures?
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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  4. #3

    Default Re: Westfield bowlback

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  6. #4
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Westfield bowlback

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    If it's that recent it is most likely a Japanese built bowlback. Can you post some pictures?
    You seem to be correct - pretty typical Japanese bowl back.

    Some are overbuilt and over finished and don't have a great sound - but I've come across some that are quite nice.

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  8. #5
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Westfield bowlback

    Indeed, it does look like a MIJ bowlback and will be hit and miss.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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