Claude Watson Mandolin, The Emmanuel 1958

**Paul Weber** · Sep-17-2011, 12:49pm

I thought I would post some pics of a unique mandolin of mine. The label reads; The Emmanuel, No 3, Made by Claude Watson 1958 Detroit. The 1958 could possibly be 1968 but I'm pretty sure it's 1958.
I've had the mandolin for a few years but the guy I bought it from said it was puchased from Gruhn in the 70's and owned by somebody in St Paul until he bought it.
The mando came to me as it is in the pics. The previous owner added the tailpiece, pickguard and bridge. It has been refretted with larger frets but the extension was left with the original smaller Gibson-like frets. The tuners are Kluson Deluxe. The scale length is 14 inches but the body meets the neck at the 12th fret. The fiddle edge of the top and back makes me think that this mandolin was built by a violin maker. I haven't been able to find out any info on this maker so if anybody has heard of Claude Watson feel free to chime in. And by the way it has a wonderful sound.

**Paul Weber** · Sep-17-2011, 12:53pm

More pics.

**allenhopkins** · Sep-17-2011, 10:21pm

Originally Posted by Paul Weber

...I haven't been able to find out any info on this maker so if anybody has heard of Claude Watson feel free to chime in...

Now I'm going to sound snarky, and perhaps should self-censor, but 30 seconds on Google searching on "Claude Watson guitar" (luthiers who build mandolins often build guitars) yielded this NAMM oral history page including a YouTube interview with Watson. I would think this page will tell you lots of what you want to know about him.

Google is such a powerful search resource, that a couple minutes trying a few alternative search criteria has a really high probability of getting you where you want to go. Glad you have this wonderful mandolin -- Watson seems to have been a highly respected luthier. There's a "Claude Watson School of the Arts" in Toronto; perhaps if you peruse the NAMM history page (which I haven't done), you'll find there's some connection...

**Paul Weber** · Sep-18-2011, 12:29am

Great. Thanks for the info Allen.

**Jim Garber** · Sep-18-2011, 10:46am

He is also listed in Wenberg's "The Violin Makers of the United States." According to the listing, it said he made about 60 bowed instruments and 45 guitars and mandolins.

Hey, thanks, Allen, for posting that link to the NAMM oral history section. Very interesting.

**Ryan Bell** · Oct-05-2021, 6:15pm

I know this thread is over 10 years but I am looking for one of Claude's instruments, preferably a guitar. He was my Great Uncle and I would love to have one of his instruments. If anyone has info on where I might find one for sale, I would really appreciate it.