Washburn cremonatone

[B. T. Walker]

Recently, I bought a Washburn Cremonatone bowlback. I think is is from before 1900 because the label inside says it is the latest Wasburn model, and talks about it receiving a "Highest Award" at the Columbian Exposition in 1893 in Chicago and a gold medal and diploma of honor at Antwerp in 1894. No cracks, though there are some scratches on the top. I can barely read the serial number, 16284.

Best of all, it came with a Lyon and Healy clownshoe case, embossed leather, original handle, and the hinge isn't worn through. I wouldn't be surprised if it was worth more than the mandolin.

I'd like to get this back into good playable shape. It's not loud, but it has a sweet tone. It could stand a refret, and I'd like to get the top repaired. Who works on bowlbacks? Any tips or recommendations?

Much obliged for your thoughts,

Brian

[Eugene]

Probably ca. 1905-1910. Washburn was a brand of the Lyon & Healy (L&H) company; i.e., not only is the case by L&H, but the mandolin itself is too. I've found most L&H bowlbacks pleasant-, but soft-voiced. Scratches on the top, if that's the top's only issue, are no big deal. Anybody who can French polish could handle that. The refret is a bigger issue; bar fret wire of the thickness of the original is no longer available, and that of guitar thickness is just too thick and invasive. If you really do need a refret, I might consider filling the slots and refretting with narrow, modern t frets or buying a comparable wreck with a functional fingerboard to salvage. Click here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=13;t=39612) and here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=13;t=12528) and, for good measure, here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=6;t=12258).

[B. T. Walker]

I counted 17 ribs on it, all the same color. The cremonatone stamp on the label mispells "coemonatone", but there seems to be no other designation.

The strings are ancient, but I have a set of GHS extra-lights on order, so that will be fixed soon. I store it detuned.

Thank you, Eugene.

Brian

[Eugene]

Enjoy it in good health...and don't be shy about sharing pictures, now.

It would be very odd for "Cremonatone" to be misspelled on a stamped or printed label. Is it possible the "r" has been somehow smudged or the label damaged there?

[B. T. Walker]

I'm saving again for a difital camera. Dropped my old one, and the lens will no longer fully extend. Poo-poo!

Perhaps there will be pics soon.