View Full Version : Neat mandolin. Need help IDing.
levin4now
May-13-2004, 7:34pm
This is the cover shot of the first mandolin instructional book I ever had. "Mel Bays Deluxe Country Mandolin Method" by Bud Orr.
It has a unique mando on the cover. Do any of you know what kind it is? I like the finish, the fretboard (both the inlays and the shape of its end), the funky pseudo-scroll, the funky take on the f-holes.
The picture I'm attaching will be small. (sorry). I will be using the 'attach file' method. Normally I give it a web address. We'll see if this works.
Mandobar
May-13-2004, 8:09pm
old harmony?
atetone
May-13-2004, 8:12pm
I am pretty sure it is a Harmony. HM- something. Can't remember the numbering system. They came in acoustic and electric.
I have a Castillo which is a plywood copy of the Harmony. It is probably made by Harmony also.
I am sure someone else on the board can expand on this??
PlayerOf8
May-14-2004, 5:40am
Harmony Baroque model. Made between 1969 and 1976. The electric version was the weapon of choice for Bluesman Yank Yachell.
Strado Len
May-14-2004, 11:24am
My first mandolin. Had a bolt-on neck that resembled a ski slope. I unscrewed the neck and shimmed it. Played a little better but still sounded pretty bad. Moved up to a Strad-O-Lin - about 1/2 the weight and played and sounded a whole lot better.
mandofiddle
May-14-2004, 11:29am
Interesting that they'd use a mandolin that sounded bad as a cover photo. I wonder if the designer had any knowledge of mandolins, or was just told "Put a photo of a mandolin on the cover".
yeah, sometimes called a "Harmony Batwing"
levin4now
May-14-2004, 3:01pm
Hmmm. I think I played as bad as that thing must have sounded for some time! I thought it had a chance of being a sweet sounder!
Thanks.
ADM
odeman
May-15-2004, 10:15am
That Harmony Baroque "Batwing' was their top of the line ( made in Chicago ) student mandolin. It was one of my first, after I saw pictures of Seals & Crofts and other professionals playing them. A friend of mine still has his from the '60's and it plays great. Anyway, it beats playing an "Authentic Bluegrass Mandolin" made somewhere in China. I believe they'll go down as collectors' items in future years.
Jim Garber
May-15-2004, 12:21pm
Here's (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3724547836&rd=1) the electric version. Hey, pretty cheap for now. As I recall the pickups are pretty microphonic.
Jim
Jim Garber
May-18-2004, 8:42pm
This one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3725274790&rd=1) looks closer to the one on the cover of your book.
Jim