The Folly

[brooks]

First post! I've lurked for awhile but finally pulled the trigger and bought a mandolin

Here's how it happened. I saw this mandolin in a local music shop and I instantly fell in love - look, feel, sound, etc. Headstock says 'The Folly' but there are no other marking - anywhere. When I asked about it's origins I found out it was on consignment by a widow that didn't know when or how her late husband had come to own this mandolin. Music shop owner said he tried to do some research but couldn't find any information. I called a professional musician friend to check it out. He approved and so I bought my first mandolin!

Now I would love to know a little history... any help is greatly appreciated!

Here are some pics (sorry for the low quality cell phone shots - I'll try to get better ones posted)

Brooks

[JeffD]

Oh that is great.

[onassis]

+1.
Awesome.

[George R. Lane]

Is that a one piece back? Looks like a great instrument. How about a sound clip.

[DerTiefster]

Looks like it has a center-seam to me. "The Folly," eh? Ah, well...it's not a folly unless you learn nothing. I hope it provides you with many hours of fine musical experience.

[fatt-dad]

does it feel heavy for how it looks, light, or just right? I mean that mandolin "looks" great! Question is how is the carving? Suspect the builder knew how to carve though. . .

fun mandolin, maybe even great!

f-d

[John McCoy]

There's got to be a great story behind the headstock inlay. I'm thinking something like...an established, expert boutique-type luthier, with a crazy brother-in-law who insisted on learning the mandolin, but who had a history of taking up one project after another and never finishing any of them. Finally, the luthier says, "All right. I'll make him one--for free. But there's gonna be one little catch.... "

[OldGus]

That's a nice random projected story to go with the random name on the headstock, it looks nice.

[almeriastrings]

It looks like a very nice example of an amateur (not in any derogatory sense) luthier project. It could possibly even be by a person used to making guitars or violins, who decided to try an F-5. It is not a "beginner" effort, but by someone with very good woodworking skills. The materials selection is very nice, and the carving and inlay work is of a high standard. Have you checked inside the top using a mirror for any scribbled signature or date? Going by the type of overlay on the headstock, and the tuners, I'd guesstimate this was made in the 1970's. Definitely a two-piece, book-matched back, by the way.

Looks like an excellent "find".

[JeffD]

Of course the looks are of third importance, sound and playability being 1 & 2 IMO. And one can argue the order. Hows it sound? Hows it play?

[brooks]

Thanks Almeriastrings! Finally located a small mirror and a LED light and.... it was signed by the maker!!! Here is what I found written in back ink inside near the neck:

J. Holland
Feb. - Mar. 1976

It might be 1986 but really looks like 1976. Does anyone know anything about J. Holland?

[Ron McMillan]

I'm sorry I can't offer any information on the mandolin or the maker, but I'm even more sorry I didn't discover it languishing in a store near me. That looks like a real find.

[DerTiefster]

I found mention of a Keith Holland music and repair shop in Los Gatos, CA. Stranger things have happened than a son of a family moving to the West Coast and setting up shop. He may also have been asked in the past and have some info even if unrelated.

[Clicker]

Nice! So give us all a bite of it, brooks in Denver... let's hear it and then tell us how much you stole it for. -Harry

[Jim]

Great find Brooks!

[padawan]

Well, now I know what I'll be doing this weekend. Cruising music stores and pawn shops looking for my own "Folly".
That's a beautiful looking mando and like the others I want to hear it.

[Dodeejeroo]

She's a looker, congrats on the find.

[Bluejay]

WoW Folly is sure pretty!!!!

[DrewCfromSC]

ok im actually looking at a Folly mandolin thats for sale. I know its been a few years for this original post but has anyone else got any information abouth the Folly?
Thank you for your time.

[pops1]

Does it look like the same mandolin? Maybe the OP upgraded.

[Wave-faring Stranger]

Does it look like the same mandolin? Maybe the OP upgraded.

Pretty sure it's the same one, I've found the listing on the facebook marketplace. Here's the link if anyone is intersted. Only funny bit is that the original guy who posted this thread is from Denver, Co and this listing is from Cullowhee, NC. Seems the Folly has done some traveling.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...0-b1f350492364