30's stradolin?

[wkc3]

I was given my great-grandpa's mandolin some years ago because I wanted to play. I found a picture of a mandolin that looks exactly like mine @ http://elderly.com/images/vintage/90U/90U-4423_front.jpg Is it really from the '30s? The picture (http://elderly.com/images/vintage/90U/90U-4423_front.jpg)

[Jim Garber]

I found a very similar Strad-O-Lin model 850 with the same straight-line logo pictured in a circa 1952 B&J catalog.

I founf another this time numbered 7700 in a 1958 Grossman Music catalog.

I would lean toward the 1950s in any case.

Jim

[allenhopkins]

Here's some information on Strad-O-Lin from a web source (bluebookinc.com):

Instruments previously produced in NY during the 1950s and 1960s. Later models manufactured in Japan.
Strad-O-Lin was a brand name of the Peter Sorkin Music Company. A number of solid body guitars were built at the Multivox company of New York, and distribution of those and the later Japanese built models were handled by the Sorkin company of New York City, New York. Other guitars built and distributed (possibly as rebrands) were Royce, Premier, Belltone, and Marvel.

John Bernunzio once opined that the Strad-O-Lin mandolins were built by Hoverick Bros., a musical instrument manufacturer in New York City. I can't find out much about this firm on the 'net. Strad-O-Lin, which also put its brand name on guitars, amplifiers, even saxophones (!), was apparently a distributor for other manfacturers' products, and switched to Pac-rim imports when those took over the "low end" market.

Don't find many references to Strad-O-Lin before 1950. I would think that "'30's" would be stretching the point. However, as a somewhat proud owner of a "Strad," I think that as an inexpensive, pressed-top, painted binding, mostly plywood mandolin, they are well-made and decent sounding. I've never regretted the $25 I spent for mine, nor the $200 I spent getting it playable.

[Jim Garber]

According to the Vintage Guitar Guide 2007:

Strad-O-Lin: Ca. 1920s-ca.1960s. The Strad-O-Lin company was operated by the Hominic brothers in New York, primarily making mandolins for wholesalers. Around '57 Mutivox/Premier bought the company and also used the name on guitars, making both electrics and acoustics. Premier also marketed studewnt level guitars under the U.S. Strad name.

Hmmmm... a little different from the source quoted above.

I have a B&J catalog from around 1940s and a Progressive Music catalog from 1941 that have Strad-O-Lins in them and I am pretty sure I have seen them as far back as the 1930s.

Jim

[mythicfish]

Is there any "rule of thumb" by which you can identify the "better made" Strad O Lins from photographs. One "source" told me to look for the arched script (headstock) accompanied by a G-clef decal. Any information - real or imagined - will be appreciated.

Curt

[Jim Garber]

In my 1958 Grossman catalog, the lowest end had the straight block type logo. I have also seen it as Strad-O-Lin Junior. Then it goes to a straight script logo. Then an arched script logo with a doodad in the center of the peghead. The higher models have a clef doodad in the center. The higher priced models also have real binding as opposed to painted on.

Other than that, you are on your own.

Jim

[allenhopkins]

I think "Hominic" (or possibly "Homenick") and "Hoverick" may be getting confused.

Referencing Michael Holmes" "Mugwumps" guide (http://www.mugwumps.com/AmerInstMkr.html) to American fretted instrument makers, there's a "Homenick" listed as 1940's, and "Hoverick Bros." listed as 1920's.

I would guess the bluebookinc.com reference is to the later incarnation of the company, in which "Strad-O-Lin" was used as a brand for imported musical instruments.

[wkc3]

Thank you all very much. I guess I will go with a low-end 50's model theory. Still, despite it's being low-end, I like it very much. The block letters and "wear" on the body give it a folky look.

[MandoSquirrel]

I bought a Stradolin several years & gave my (now)ex wife; it was real nice , especially for so cheap. I keep wondering if she still has it, wouldn't mind giving it a spin, she never learned to play while we were together.

[allenhopkins]

IMHO, Strad-O-Lins are some of the real "sleepers" of the mandolin world. Because they look so funky, few take them seriously, but they're available at reasonable prices, and out-perform many of the fancier instruments.

I've used my $25 Strad for recording, in many jams, and as the one I sling over my back when I'm off to a picnic or a crafts fair or an overnight camp. Whether it was built by Hoverick or Homenic or Whoever, it's got nothing to apologize for.

[mythicfish]

"Because they look so funky, few take them seriously, but they're available at reasonable prices, and out-perform many of the fancier instruments."

I can confirm this ... and I don't even own one. I am acquainted with a sideman who travels internationally with a well-known musical trio. He's played a Strad O Lin for many decades. The top was thinned out using a sanding disk on an electric drill - random hippie sanding. He didn't bother to fine sand the swirl marks ... but no matter. He plays well and the
sound is very pleasing. It puts ANY Pac rim instrument to shame.

Curt

[allenhopkins]

Curt -- I assume you're referring to Paul Prestopino, who tours with and accompanies Peter, Paul & Mary? It was after jamming with Paul at Pinewoods Camp that I got really interested in Strad-O-Lins. You can also hear Paul's "Strad" to good advantage with his contra dance band Hold the Mustard.

[MML]

A friend of mine has an older stad-o-lin with nice solid woods and solid flamed maple back.Its stamped inside with a date in ink, can't recall the month but the year is 1937.I also noticed the earlier ones have different shape f holes than those of the 50's or 60's and a less bulky construction. I had a 50's stad master that had a great vibe to it, but sold it to help finance another mandolin.
Yeah they are cool instruments.

[Givson]

I have owned four Stradolins, and have seen one with a date stamped inside (from the early 40's). Based on the shape of the F-holes, I would guess the date of manufacture for yours (or Elderly's) as the late 30's or early 40's.

[menachem44867]

I bought an old Stradolin on ebay a few weeks ago. #Upgraded the tailpiece to an Allen, put on a new bridge with a bone top. #Sounds great and plays great!! It has the actual binding not painted on, the headstock is similar to a Gibson A Style non snake head. #It has the non block Strad-o-lin in "cursive style". #Can't find any date on or serial number. #The one I have definitely appears to be one of the high end models. #Also, it appears to be made from all mahogany top, back, sides, and neck.

Great little instrument, mucher nicer than a lot of higher end models, and certainly miles above the cheap $200.00 - $300.00 imported student mandolins.

Menachem

[waynebien]

I own a Stradolin JR. Players Vintage Instruments has a similar model for sale from the 1940's. I have to agree that they are a fine sounding instrument and hold their own with any of my other mandolins from the 1930-40's era. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Bruce Clausen]

Mine has the paddle head with the "cursive" name on it. Neck is three pieces: two of nice figured maple, plus a thin centre strip of dark wood. Back is one piece of figured maple, cut so that the grain runs about 10 or 15% off the axis of the instrument-- presumably the maker didn't want to waste a flawed piece of wood. Top is nice spruce, pressed. There's no binding, but a kind of purfling has been fed into grooves cut into the top and into the join between top and sides; same treatment on the back and on the peghead facing. This purfling looks like plastic; I wonder if it went in as a liquid? The name on the head was done the same way. The sound is robust, kind of dark and woody, in spite of a couple of bad cracks in the top. The neck is the most comfortable shape I've ever played on; I had another maker copy it for a new instrument. Width is 1-3/16 in. at the nut. Date must be near 1940, as I've seen a similar (but less fancy) Strad with a stamped date in 1938.

--BC

[Outback_David]

Hello all, I just picked up a Strad and it has been repaired. Can't make out the date it was repaired though. I'll post some photo's in a couple days when the sun comes back out..
The name Strad o lin is arched across the head. Oval Has adjustable bridge, Binding on the front is lifting in two spots, binding on back is ok. There is no pick guard and someone etched and painted flowers and vines in the general area.
Inside the back it is marked with a few notations in ink. 1) Repaired _ 19_4 by A.Cable ( it might be 1984) and 2) on three lines : line one > June 17, 1935 , line two> Stamped in Back, line three, Factory Stamp then a long arrow pointing deep into the belly :) and you can see the Factory stamp Jun 17 19_ _ ( the stamp is pretty far down below the bridge to see it without a scope) BUT, now here is something that does not match > the tailpiece. It is not the cloud, ( again, I'll get some photo's soon) and on the bottom of the tail is PAT"D OCT.26-86.
Well figured this might get some comments till I get the photo's posted.
David

[jim simpson]

I picked up what I believe to be a Stradolin recently complete with DeArmond pickup. A previous owner had unfortunately refinished it. The tuning gears were a mess, I had a spare set of modern tuners that fit it. The frets needed leveling and recrowned. The tailpiece looks cool, too bad the pickguard is missing. The pickup sounds great.

[DerTiefster]

There are some pics of similar Strads in the social group, within some of which the owners have found '40s date stamps hiding. I can't find a date stamp hiding in my lovely 2-point Strad (U-Strad-S headstock label w/ treble clef). I've been enjoying the heck out of mine. It's loud and ringy, but it's a little weak on the bass (G) string for the first few frets. Did I mention that I like it? Solid top and solid quilted maple back. Lovely. Enjoy yours.

Mine looks like Jim's above, but symmetrical 2-point body style. Looks like MandoBen's in posts 7/8 of this thread:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?35121-Stradolin

Some of the P.O.'s pics in this thread:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?67184-Mando-labeled-only-quot-Strad-quot-two-pointer&highlight=point+stradolin

[MikeEdgerton]

Jim, your mandolin is a Strad-O-Lin genre mandolin. It was built by the same folks whoever that may be) but may have had no branding or another brand other than Strad-O-Lin on it. Post some pictures in the social group.

[MikeEdgerton]

Hello all, I just picked up a Strad and it has been repaired. Can't make out the date it was repaired though. I'll post some photo's in a couple days when the sun comes back out..
The name Strad o lin is arched across the head. Oval Has adjustable bridge, Binding on the front is lifting in two spots, binding on back is ok. There is no pick guard and someone etched and painted flowers and vines in the general area.
Inside the back it is marked with a few notations in ink. 1) Repaired _ 19_4 by A.Cable ( it might be 1984) and 2) on three lines : line one > June 17, 1935 , line two> Stamped in Back, line three, Factory Stamp then a long arrow pointing deep into the belly :) and you can see the Factory stamp Jun 17 19_ _ ( the stamp is pretty far down below the bridge to see it without a scope) BUT, now here is something that does not match > the tailpiece. It is not the cloud, ( again, I'll get some photo's soon) and on the bottom of the tail is PAT"D OCT.26-86.
Well figured this might get some comments till I get the photo's posted.
David

It's very possible that the tailpiece and bridge were replaced. Post some pictures.

[Outback_David]

Hello Mike,
It looks like the tuners are replaced, ( phillips head screws) The tailpiece is definitely replaced as it does not coincide with the stamped date inside. As for the bridge, well, you and the others here are the professionals here but I have to believe you are correct as there is way too much spacing between the string and fretboard towards the bridge. ( Bridge too high and can not be lowered anymore) The front was repaired, cracked on both sides of fretboard. Who ever repaired it glued strips inside to stabilize it.
Will be posting photo's shortly.
Thanks for your reply,
David

[Outback_David]

Ok, I uploaded photos of this Stradolin to my photo album. I have no idea yet how to add thumbnails here. But give me time.. :) Any input you all care to give is appreciated. Thanks, David

[Schlegel]

Roland White told me he started out on a Stradolin. He, too, remarked that it was a surprisingly good mandolin for the money.