Lyon and healy mandolin question

[dyetye]

Hello,
I am new here, and really don't know much of anything about Mandolins, but need help getting some information. #My grandfather has a Mandolin and someone had told him and my parents that it was worth quite a bit of money. #Let me clarify that I am NOT looking to sell this, just wanted some information. #From what I can tell by searching on the internet, it is a Lyon and Healy pro A Mandolin, and it appears to be in mint condition, but that is all I know about it. #My parents and I were considering getting it insured in case something would happen to it. #Attached are the pictures:

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o246/dyetye/IMG_6730.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o246/dyetye/IMG_6729.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o246/dyetye/IMG_6727.jpg

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[dyetye]

Just a background of how I came about searching this. #I was actually taking some pictures of an old Mandolin my grandfather took with him to World War II to show some people who are War buffs here at work. #When my grandfather was younger, he played a lot of instruments, like the Mandolin and Banjo. When he went to WWII, he took a Mandolin with him. But, once he was overseas, they told him he couldn’t carry it with him and made him throw it out. A few towns later, they were looking through a pile of shoes, and he found his Mandolin (what are the chances of that!). Anyway, his entire infantry etched their names and other stuff on it (front and back) and all the names of countries they visited. He lost 2 brothers in WWII, and he saw quite a bit of action himself. I had to do an oral history report once in college, which was one of the few times he talked about some of the war stuff. Him and a buddy in his group were out scavenging, and took out a tank. I think it was with a rocket launcher (or whatever they were called). Another time, they were ambushed, and the only way to get out was to float down a river, during the winter months. They had to let their clothes freeze dry to themselves. During that ambush, he actually had a bullet go through his flack jacket. I was that close to not being here:( It’s hard for him to talk about it a lot of it, which is understandable, but I finally got a hold of the Mandolin he brought back with him. Attached are some pictures, which doesn’t really do it justice, since it’s hard to see a lot of the carving in it.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o246/dyetye/IMG_6726.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o246/dyetye/IMG_6724.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o246/dyetye/IMG_6722.jpg

[mrmando]

If the Lyon & Healy really is in mint condition, it's likely to be worth as much as $4,000. Maybe even a bit more with that nice vintage case it's in. On many of these mandolins there's a little post that slides out of the side, to help prop the instrument up on the player's leg. Check to see if the post is there & intact. Also check the back & sides for any cracks or separated seams. If the instrument isn't being played, keep the strings loose, and seek some advice to make sure it's properly humidified.

It's also useful to know whether the scale length is 13" or 13-7/8", since Lyon & Healy made mandolins in both sizes. (This looks like a 13" but it's hard to be sure from a photo.) The scale length is the distance from the nut (the white strip between the pegbox and the fretboard) to the bridge (the narrow wooden strip across the middle of the body, under the strings). Lyon & Healys are highly sought by classical players (I know a very deserving player who can't afford to buy this instrument, but would probably trade three other instruments for it).

As for the mandolin that went to WWII, it's not particularly valuable as an instrument. But as a family heirloom it's priceless.

[bradeinhorn]

all i can say is they picked the right one to carve up. cool story and beautiful mandolin

[mzuch]

dyetye: I think mrmando's estimate is right on the money. IMO, these instruments are undervalued compared to better known vintage F models. He's also quite correct in his advice to keep the strings tuned down and the instrument well humidified. You may also be interested to know that these Lyon & Healy mandolins are the top choice of many players for classical music. The Pro A model is the top of the line, although I know some players who believe that the fancy scroll detracts from the instrument's tone.

[JEStanek]

The Lyon and Healy Style A mando you have is beuatiful and in wonderful condition. Could you post some photos of the back and sides... heck, I would like to see more pictures of everything there... close ups. etc. Can you tell I like the L&H Style A? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

While the L&H may have more monetary value (the estimate above is pretty good too) the WWII tour mando is priceless. I hope you can keep it safe and in the family. If the time should ever come to pass it on the Smithsonian or a local one where it can be preserved.

Thanks for the great story and photos.
Jamie

[Bing Cullen]

This may not be exactly the right forum to ask this...but I notice Norman Blake's 1914 L&H is not assymetrical and does not bear a scroll at the peghead. It looks possibly like the scroll may have been cut off(in his video), but Norman doesn't discuus that when he is describing it. Does anyone know any more about that model...just curious.

[Phil Hopkins]

Norman plays a model B. You can find nice pictures of the three different styles at

Frets Museum (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Museum/museum.html)

[Glassweb]

Your mandolin appears to be a Lyon & Healy style A with the shorter scale. As far as I know, only the artist models with the symmetrical points have the longer scale. These mandolins usually have a highly refined and beautiful tone! Congratulations on having such a wonderful piece... and case!

[PseudoCelt]

Some general info about Lyon & Healy mandolins can be found here (http://bellsouthpwp.com/r/d/rdevelli/Doug%20Unger%20Lyon%20Healy%20Mandolin%20b.htm).

Patrick

[dyetye]

Thanks for the information on this.

JEStanek, I'll try to take some more pictures this weekend, since I'll be visiting my folks, which is where it is stored.

How would I loosen the strings? Just turn the counter-clockwise slightly?

My folks have several different instruements my grandfather kept, most of them are used though. I know there are some banjos, mandolins, some kind of square shaped mandolin or guitar.

I'm working on getting something built to hold the WWII mandolin, to keep, and show my grandfather someday...

[danb]

Hi Dyete,

The ones in the square cases like yours are usually the earlier ones. Is the serial number legible on the label? If you let us know where you are located we can all make some suggestions of people you could show it to locally for a more thorough appraisal/inspection.

I personally would NOT recommend tuning down the strings. It's been like it's been for some time without being disturbed, and that's probably a good enough recommendation to let it be. The main things you need to know about are basically protecting it from temperature shock (don't take it from Air Conditioned to a hot car, or leave the case in sunlight, etc), humidity changes, or bumping/dropping damage. All pretty simple really.

I would agree that the value could be in the $3000-4000 range. You could have it professionally appraised by George Gruhn at http://www.gruhn.com for a $35 fee I believe.

Thanks for sharing pictures, it's a very nice instrument indeed, likely your grandfather was a serious enough player to purchase one at the top of the line and at significant cost back when he acquired it.

[dyetye]

I'm located in a suburb of Kansas City...

[mrmando]

You'll be wanting to take that bad boy to Mass Street Music (http://www.massstreetmusic.com/) over in Lawrence, KS, then, if it ain't too far to drive. They can certainly check out the condition, advise you on how to take care of it, and confirm its value.

Whether you need a formal written appraisal depends on the type of insurance you get. Check with your insurance agent.

I would listen to what Dan says and leave the strings/tuners alone. He knows more than I do.

[Eugene]

However, those with asymmetric points are at least later than the very early ones. Personally, I believe the mature style A mandolins by L&H/Washburn to be the highest state of gracefulness ever attained by archtop mandolins (sorry Loyd). Enjoy in good health, dyetye.

[8ch(pl)]

It would do the instrument good if you could learn to play it. You would be starting on a better mandolin than I will ever finish on. She needs to be loved.

[JeffD]

Thanks for posting those pics. Both mandolins are beautiful, and should be cherished.

If you can get more pictures posted I would love to see them.