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Thread: Shutt mandolins

  1. #1
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    I recently aquired a Shutt mandolin that is in need of some TLC. For the most part the instrument is solid, just needs a few seams reglued and perhaps a fret job, or maybe I will go with a new fingerboard and frets, have to see how it goes. Anyway what I found pretty cool was the use of a ebony top brace that runs horizontal under the bridge area. Have any other Shutt owners taken a peak inside theirs to see if this is "standard equipment"? The other interesting thing is the high arching to the top and back, I can clearly see theres been no sinking on this puppy.
    Back to work............
    Mike Lettieri
    AKA Mandolinmyster

  2. #2

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    Pictures? Sounds neat!

  3. #3
    NY Naturalist BradKlein's Avatar
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    Hi there. #I have not seen the brace you describe in the couple of Shutts that I've peeked inside.

    Is this the recent e-bay instrument? #That's one of the two 'shoulder' instruments, and the one I know best is an A model, which certainly does not have a brace under the bridge. #More like Gibson F-style tone bars.

    My impression is that the arch is high and the tops are fairly thin, so you might want to consider medium or light strings.

    Good luck with your new instrument.



    BradKlein
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    Registered User Andy Morton's Avatar
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    They are supposed to be "ahead of their time" when they were produced.
    What year do you think it is??

    You have a vintage gem probably...check it out.

    Andy

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    Quote Originally Posted by (mando andy @ Mar. 16 2008, 09:34)
    They are supposed to be "ahead of their time" when they were produced. #
    What year do you think it is?? #

    You have a vintage gem probably...check it out.

    Andy
    [QUOTE]

    I am not sure of the year, but looking at others I have seen on the internet I would guess the teens.
    Mike Lettieri
    AKA Mandolinmyster

  6. #6

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    I'm still eagerly awaiting some visual aides.




  7. #7
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    Here's a pic.

    Mike Lettieri
    AKA Mandolinmyster

  8. #8

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    Thanks! Looks fun

  9. #9

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    I've always loved the body shape on the Shutts. They also sound pretty lovely when they're in good shape, too!

    Yours is a beaut! Enjoy it!

    You might want to keep an eye out (or make) the Shutt-style pickguard for it, though (attaches where that screw is near the neck).

    Same idea as this:
    http://www.vintageinstruments.com/mu...t3fulpage.html

  10. #10
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    Hobbyhorse,

    I have the original pickguard its just not on the instrument in the photo. Its kind of neat how it attaches too. It slides down over a counter sunk type screw head and locks into place and a pin aligns it to the bridge like the old Gibsons did, hey mabey this is before Gibson did that??
    Mike Lettieri
    AKA Mandolinmyster

  11. #11
    Registered User Bruce Clausen's Avatar
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    Not sure if this is a bottom-rung Shutt or merely "Shutt-inspired". Has anyone seen one like this before? Apparently a flat-top, but hard to tell from the photo. Neck join is at eleventh fret (bold, innovative!). Bridge doesn't seem to be functioning. I've only seen an oval hole on a heavily restored (new top) Shutt pictured in another thread. Haven't seen the instrument in person but I'm hoping to get a look. Thanks for any comments.
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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Bruce, I have this one in my files with the note 'Anonymous-L+H'. Sorry. I've been trying to be more meticulous in my annotation. But it does resemble yours a bit. I sure others will clue you and me in.

    Mick
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    Registered User Bruce Clausen's Avatar
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    Thank you Mick, that does help some.

    --Bruce

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    Registered User jessboo's Avatar
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    Brunello,
    I own that mandolin. took it in on a trade a month ago. I was told by a guy down by St. Louis( he knows more then I do!) it wasn't a Shutt but it wasn't a Harmony either. that was my second guess. A L&H makes sence. Because he said it was probably made in Chicago. no matter how you slice it. It's a great sounding and playing box!
    "Mandolins are an Illness" Conrad Deislar

  15. #15
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    The flat top was probably made by Regal (in Chicago).
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  16. #16
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Jess, it is a small world. That is one reason why I always plead for folks to post pictures of their instruments. (It is so easy to do here.) You never know what kind of connections turn up. #

    I have a Regal/L+H flattop with rw back and enjoy it very much. (I'm not quite sure just what their relationship was in the 20s-construction/marketing, vice versa, or something in between. #Maybe all of the above.)

    I like the profile of yours and Bruces very much-the rounded lobes are great. It would be very sweet in an archtop version.

    Mick
    Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
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    Registered User jessboo's Avatar
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    the guy i got this mandolin from has a harmony from the late 20's. that's an f hole model it kookes like the shutt. he's had it forever. one of the nicest peices of maple on the back that i've ever seen. all carved with an ajustable nut made of alminum(sp). each pair of string can be ajusted by them selves. i'll see if i can get him to post picture of it here. yes it says Harmony on the head stock. it(i can't beleive i'm saying this) is a great mandolin. where can i find out more about Albert Shutt?
    you got to love the chicago school of insterment building.
    Dale
    "Mandolins are an Illness" Conrad Deislar

  18. #18
    Registered User Bill Snyder's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by (jessboo @ June 30 2008, 22:57)
    ... with an ajustable nut made of alminum(sp). each pair of string can be ajusted by them selves. ...
    Nut or saddle?
    Bill Snyder

  19. #19
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Harmony actually built some decent instruments in the early 1900's. I've seen turn of the century parlor guitars that were quite decent as well as some arched top guitars from the early 30's that actually played pretty well. This article gives you a little history of the company and insight into some of their instruments.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  20. #20
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    If you're quick you got about 6 minutes to grab one of these made by Harmony with the Supertone (Sears) brand name on it <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-SUPERTONE-TIGER-MAPLE-MANDOLIN_W0QQitemZ360064300964QQihZ023QQcategoryZ1 0179QQssPa
    geNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">here</a>.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  21. #21
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Nice link, Mike, thanks. I love Harmony's choice of model names: Toreador, Juanita, Rossini. Easy to make an identity statement there.

    The Harmony mandolin went for an accessible price. What do you know of their construction?

    Mick
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  22. #22
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    They were all solid woods. That one may or may not have been carved. It looked like a later example with the faux flame and all.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  23. #23
    Registered User jessboo's Avatar
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    bill,
    the nut. it's like each set of strings is on a roller bearing.
    I talked to dave and he was kind enough to say when he has time in the next day or so to put up picture of his harmony.
    Mike it lookes like the one from your link. only a nateral finish.
    "Mandolins are an Illness" Conrad Deislar

  24. #24
    Registered User Gregg Miner's Avatar
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    My 3-years-in-the-making Shutt feature is finally complete and posted. Though a part of Harpguitars.net and thus ostensibly a "harp guitar" article, I used the opportunity to include every last thing on Shutt I could lay my hands on (mostly mandolins, naturally). Like everything I publish online, this is a permanent work-in-progess, and I hope it brings more finds and information out of the proverbial woodwork. There is a Harpguitar.net Members version and a non-members version. Anyone with additional new information, please contact me directly through any of my web sites. Enjoy!
    http://www.harpguitars.net/history/shutt/shutt.htm

  25. #25
    Registered User jefflester's Avatar
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    Cool! Thanks Gregg.

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