Mandolin-Banjo, help identifying?

**musicfood** · Jul-06-2009, 2:24pm

Hello everyone, new member, hopefully you might know something about this mandolin-banjo (i think thats what it is) and its worth?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/music_f...7621045451450/

There are descriptions on a few photos, might be of assistance. The instrument belongs to a relation. If you have any further questions about it, fire away.

**MikeEdgerton** · Jul-06-2009, 2:37pm

It wasn't made in the US, probably made in the UK. Value is way less than $100.00 on a good day.

**mandroid** · Jul-06-2009, 2:53pm

Worth a whole lot of fun !

.. fit some extra-light strings on there, and enjoy It.

**musicfood** · Jul-06-2009, 3:17pm

Thanks for your responses, I hope to take it to a local guitar shop that specialises in mandolins etc. sometime this week, the action is ridiculously high at the bridge end, so i think it needs to be brought down, but hopefully if i get it all sorted, i'll do some recordings of it and put them up.

**mandroid** · Jul-06-2009, 4:58pm

The Rim stick to neck joint often loosens over time on many Manjo/ banjolins, banjo's etc.

**McMandolin** · Jul-06-2009, 5:37pm

I had one that looked a bit like that. A fellow at the session said he thought I was playing a wall barometer.

**JCook** · Jul-07-2009, 8:11am

I have one that looks just like that one. It's made by Walliostro, which is stamped into the headstock on the back I think, though I didn't see that on yours. Mine is English, made in the early 20th century (1910 or before, I think). I bought it from a friend for $110. It's tons of fun, and LOUD, and hard to tune. But I like it.

Jack

**Martian** · Jul-07-2009, 9:15am

Hey Musicfood. Welcome to M C! A word to the wise. Keep your banjos and mandos in seperate closets. A little wine, dim lights, and some romantic bluegrass music , and shazaam, your out shopping for a funny looking case. Just funnin', enjoyyour inst. Mike

**musicfood** · Jul-07-2009, 4:52pm

Hate to confuse the matter, but I was just told by the relative I mentioned that it's a mandolele. I looked into them, and have been left unsure. It has double strings, which is surely odd if it is a mandolele.

**jeff mercer** · Jul-07-2009, 5:40pm

Musicfood,

Nope, definately not a "mandolele" (more commonly referred to as a "Banjo-uke"). It's a generic British-made Banjo Mandolin, probably mid 20's to mid 30's.

They were built by the truckload during that period. Some were quite fancy, though yours seems to be about as plain & simple as they got..unfortunately, it's extremely rare to find one of these small-bodied UK made ones with a straight neck, as they were usually stored in attics etc. for years, tuned up to pitch, which would often split the head & warp the neck..

If you really like it, go ahead & have some work done, but I really would'nt spend too much..as Mike pointed out earlier, it's unlikely to be worth even $100.

Wish the news was better

, let us know how you go.