Unknown... Mandolins

[Lt.Sam]

http://static.flickr.com/40/81783663_a5e37851db_m.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/42/81783662_ca13676e99_m.jpg
Here is the second one

http://static.flickr.com/39/81783658_5f1e7d252c_m.jpg
BowlBack
both have no form of ID on the inside

These seem to be quite old... thats all i got

[Jim Garber]

Empire State was made by Viohl in New York, turn of the last century. I have one basket case with a warped top I bought for parts.

The other one looks sort of Martinesque. Are you sure there are no stamps on the back of the peghead? Do you have pics of that one's headstock?

Jim

[Eugene]

The second one looks more Weymann-like (or Chicago knock-off-like) to me. I'd like ot see more detail.

[8ch(pl)]

IF it is a Weymann it will probablty have a serial number stamped into the end of the headstock. 5 digits.

[Lt.Sam]

no numbers at all anything else you want more pictures of also how much would these go for?

[Jim Garber]

The second one looks more Weymann-like (or Chicago knock-off-like) to me. I'd like ot see more detail.
All the Weymanns I have in my picture files have either a batwing type pg or else what I would term droopy moustache one (see below). I don't have any with a side guard like that one.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

no numbers at all anything else you want more pictures of also how much would these go for?
Give us a pic of the full body of the lower one front and back. Headstock could be telling.

Jim

[Eugene]

All the Weymanns I have in my picture files have either a batwing type pg or else what I would term droopy moustache one (see below). I don't have any with a side guard like that one.
How'bout on the flat Weymanns?

[Jim Garber]

How'bout on the flat Weymanns?
Yes, that is true... however he says bowlback. The mandolutes do have a pickguard identical to the one he pictures.

Jim

[Lt.Sam]

http://static.flickr.com/41/84530828_f17bf181f3.jpg
Fronts
http://static.flickr.com/43/84530826_de833dcccd.jpg
Slit on back of left one very small warping
http://static.flickr.com/42/84530827_30f62716cd.jpg
Here is another Gem i found The top reads May Bell

[Jim Garber]

Ah, Lt.Sam, you threw us off by labelling that flatback a bowlback. That headstock looks like typical American Conservatory/Lyon & Healy. As Eugene noted so wisely, prob of Chicago manufacture. Of course, I do the same as Chicago was a monster in terms of churning out instruments in those days.

I see similar ones in the L&H catalogs I have but none with that pickguard. Possibly Weymann but there is a relatonship between Weymann and L&H.

Jim

[8ch(pl)]

That banjo uke is made by Slingerland, Maybell was one of their models.

[Lt.Sam]

So the reeal question is how much should i offer a guy for all three of these and how are they worth?

[Jim Garber]

It depends on what you are planning to do with these. if you want to turn them over quick for a profit or trade them for one good instrument or...

... are you planning on using them for your own playing.

I can't tell the actual condition. the flatback looks like it has or had some cracks on the back. If these are playable as is and need no further luthier work to make them so, I would say a real safe bet for you would be, say, $300-500 for all three. That would probably be what the seller might get for these on eBay.

Jim

[jimdandy]

I am working on a mando with the same 'EMPIRE STATE' plastic button on the tuner head, it has a mop butterfly on the picquard. what did you find out about yours, how old ? was it definetly made by VIOHL? hope you can help me. thanks jd

[Jim Garber]

Empire State was a brand of the Viohl Company of New York. This info came from mugwumps.com (http://www.mugwumps.com/AmerInstMkr.html#E.)