edguy
Nov-01-2006, 4:50pm
Hey Folks!
A good friend took this mandolin off the wall in his den to show me. It belonged to his father. I told him we (meaning y'all) might be able to figure out what it is. Here's one picture; I have several showing various details.
It bears no external markings, logos, stickers, or other external identifiers
It measures 1 3/16" at the nut (ebony, stained rosewood, hard to tell)
Length from the nut to the last (17th) fret is 8 1/16"
Painted curlique markers at frets 3,5,7,9,12
Painted, imitation top "binding"
Plain steel tuners with black (maybe phenolic) buttons, one bent
Neck looks like mahogany, very slightly bowed
One-piece back with striated pattern (looks almost too regular to be flamed maple, maybe stained luaun mahogany, http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif)
Fixed bridge appears to be ebony
Height at heel is 2 1/16"
Interior markings consist of a serial number and perhaps a date or model number stamped in ink directly on wood. Serial number reads 2492S??391, where the "??" appears to be a single smudged character of some kind (the S?? reminds me of the logo on Sweetheart cups from my Dad's drug store). The thing I'm calling a date or model number is in a rectangle and looks like either S-39 or 5-39 (and I'm not sure of the 9). "May '39" would seem to fit the father's age.
There is a thin, 6-inch-long crack in the top between the bass f-hole and the bridge. The crack has been repaired with what appears to be white glue and is very stable.
I tuned her in intervals (afraid to bring her up to pitch) and she doesn't sound bad, considering the strings are old and rusty and she hasn't been touched in years. My friend grinned from ear to ear when he heard her sing.
OK, so can you tell us anything about her? I can provide detailed photos, but didn't want to clutter the board unnecessarily.
Thanks,
Ed
A good friend took this mandolin off the wall in his den to show me. It belonged to his father. I told him we (meaning y'all) might be able to figure out what it is. Here's one picture; I have several showing various details.
It bears no external markings, logos, stickers, or other external identifiers
It measures 1 3/16" at the nut (ebony, stained rosewood, hard to tell)
Length from the nut to the last (17th) fret is 8 1/16"
Painted curlique markers at frets 3,5,7,9,12
Painted, imitation top "binding"
Plain steel tuners with black (maybe phenolic) buttons, one bent
Neck looks like mahogany, very slightly bowed
One-piece back with striated pattern (looks almost too regular to be flamed maple, maybe stained luaun mahogany, http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif)
Fixed bridge appears to be ebony
Height at heel is 2 1/16"
Interior markings consist of a serial number and perhaps a date or model number stamped in ink directly on wood. Serial number reads 2492S??391, where the "??" appears to be a single smudged character of some kind (the S?? reminds me of the logo on Sweetheart cups from my Dad's drug store). The thing I'm calling a date or model number is in a rectangle and looks like either S-39 or 5-39 (and I'm not sure of the 9). "May '39" would seem to fit the father's age.
There is a thin, 6-inch-long crack in the top between the bass f-hole and the bridge. The crack has been repaired with what appears to be white glue and is very stable.
I tuned her in intervals (afraid to bring her up to pitch) and she doesn't sound bad, considering the strings are old and rusty and she hasn't been touched in years. My friend grinned from ear to ear when he heard her sing.
OK, so can you tell us anything about her? I can provide detailed photos, but didn't want to clutter the board unnecessarily.
Thanks,
Ed