Oliver Ditson Mandolin

[brunello97]

Bill,

I guess I'm dropping back a few posts to answer your question.

The finish on the Ditson had been semi-stripped/worn off, so most of it was back to raw wood. I was looking for something to put some moisture back in the wood without sealing it or finishing it until I figured out what was best to do. I do a lot of woodworking and furniture refinishing. I've used lemon oil as a fairly neutral wood treatment that has allowed me to use various other finishes later: penetrating oils and varnishes without complication. I guess I figured it might be appropriate for the unfinished or bared spruce on some of my mandolins. I have a couple of MOR Italian mandolins which have little or no finish on the tops. They arrived really really dry and the lemon oil has only helped the wood and the top vibration. So far, no identifiable problems.

Have you had problems with this oil on instrument woods? What am I missing here, or doing wrong from your experience?

Thanks,

Mick

[brunello97]

Perhaps a long standing (at least for me) mystery has some new light shed on it. I found these images of a Brilliantone/Leland flatback which very closely resembles the Ditson-marketed model I queried the MC about over a year ago.

Similar features include: basic body profile, rosewood back and sides, similar fretboard extension and headstock shape. The scratchplate is shaped similarly and decaying similarly. Mine is looking pretty ratty but the top is still fine and it sounds great.

I think I've got it now, finally. I've learned a lot and met a lot of nice folks in the meantime. Thanks for all the help.

Mick