Help with bowlback mandolin identification

[Woolybug25]

Hello. I have been picking up random mandolins for a bit to practice repairs and whatnot. I recently found the bowlback below and before I got started on it I was hoping one of you could give me some insight on it? My assumption is that it's a turn of the century American Conservatory, but haven't been able to locate a picture of it exactly. Any thoughts?

[Woolybug25]

To add, there are no labels or inscriptions.

[MikeEdgerton]

It appears to be a Chicago made mandolin, most likely a Lyon and Healy product that was made for the trade with no label. I don't think the tailpiece is original but it could be if it was a later model. it's probably after 1900 and before 1920.

[Richard500]

I have an American Conservancy one with the identical scratchplate and black interior fabric, but much different (fancier) trim, but that doesn’t mean anything as the plates were third party catalog items. Look further in the interior as there may be a very small AC label, or a glue patch where it was. The ribs and trim on yours suggest a pretty decent instrument, in low-trim version. Worth fixing up.

[poul hansen]

It looks like this one

https://www.ebay.com/itm/33501695872...&segname=11021

[MikeEdgerton]

It looks like this one...

Other than the headstock shape and bowl, yes. The one you posted looks like a Lyon and Healy mandolin as well.

[brunello97]

Why would you call this an American Conservatory mandolin if there is no label to describe it as such?

L+H made a lot of mandolins under different brands and labels, from Washburn to AC to Lakeside to their own "Lyon and Healy" label to countless other mandolins unlabeled for sale by other makers.

Would you call a Buick a Cadillac just because it was made by GM?

If yours was indeed an American Conservatory mandolin, there would be a label identifying it as such.

Otherwise, it is a Lyon and Healy mandolin with no label.

There is no need to complicate things.


Mick

[Woolybug25]

Thank you all for the help. It is much appreciated. I double checked and there aren't any labels inside unfortunately. Any ideas on a source for an accurate bridge? Also, you can see in the first pic that there are some chips out of the fingerboard missing and missing two fretboard markers. Would you just fill those or replace the fingerboard? I ask that because it's only 8.5" long and I am not sure where to get that either. Maybe make one? Doesn't seem that difficult looking at youtubes.

Thank you!

- - - Updated - - -

Why would you call this an American Conservatory mandolin if there is no label to describe it as such?

L+H made a lot of mandolins under different brands and labels, from Washburn to AC to Lakeside to their own "Lyon and Healy" label to countless other mandolins unlabeled for sale by other makers.

Would you call a Buick a Cadillac just because it was made by GM?

If yours was indeed an American Conservatory mandolin, there would be a label identifying it as such.

Otherwise, it is a Lyon and Healy mandolin with no label.

There is no need to complicate things.


Mick

I didn't call it anything, I asked for help identifying it.

You must be a thrill at dinner parties...

[brunello97]

I didn't call it anything, I asked for help identifying it.

You must be a thrill at dinner parties...

Yeah, I tend to be popular at dinner parties because I'm a pretty good cook.

As to conversation?

"My assumption is that it's a turn of the century American Conservatory....."

I guess I can bum people out, because I listen to what they say and read what they write.

That can cause problems, right?

It's late summer, but snowflakes seem to be still be able to melt pretty readily.


"I don't know what this mandolin is, I would like some help in identifying it....." might bring you the kind of feedback that doesn't bruise your ego.


Mick

[Woolybug25]

Yeah, I tend to be popular at dinner parties because I'm a pretty good cook.

As to conversation?

"My assumption is that it's a turn of the century American Conservatory....."

I guess I can bum people out, because I listen to what they say and read what they write.

That can cause problems, right?

It's late summer, but snowflakes seem to be still be able to melt pretty readily.


"I don't know what this mandolin is, I would like some help in identifying it....." might bring you the kind of feedback that doesn't bruise your ego.


Mick

Just in case you need help with the definition of assumption: "a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof."

I always get a kick out of folks that say things like "snowflake" as they are usually the ones that will will get all bent out of shape easily. You mentioned I should have asked "I don't know what this mandolin is, I would like some help in identifying it.....".... maybe you should check the title of the post, braniac.

Or don't and just go away. I can see we don't really have anything to offer eachother.

[Richard500]

The notable civility of this forum is maintained by the moderators, who seem to nip ad hominem stuff in the bud effectively. This is helpful since the few who enjoy it seldom have much to contribute. We can also flag things ourselves - I’ve been on the receiving end of one.
I think though, and it’s an unscientific observation, that some of the faithful posters have darkened their tone lately. Pandemic distress, geriatric depression, or slow erosion of the joy of saying the same things over and over to new people? Dunno, but so far I think all of us, putative trolls included, have something to offer one another.

[brunello97]

Just in case you need help with the definition of assumption: "a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof."

I always get a kick out of folks that say things like "snowflake" as they are usually the ones that will will get all bent out of shape easily. You mentioned I should have asked "I don't know what this mandolin is, I would like some help in identifying it.....".... maybe you should check the title of the post, braniac.

Or don't and just go away. I can see we don't really have anything to offer eachother.

Wooly Bully,

You've had 25 posts here and coming in with a lot of 'tude.

Turn down the high falutin' approach and dial in your prose. You just might find yourself welcome around here instead of being just another jag who drops in now and then and thinks he's a smart alleck.

A guy who doesn't know diddley about mandolins starts off with "My assumption is......" and then when folks try to help him out he starts to gaslight the conversation.

We won't miss you if you go away.


Mick

[MikeEdgerton]

Question asked and answered. Time to move on.