What kind of mandolin is this?

[littlemoe]

I bought this mandolin and have a 24 hr approval period. it needs repair, however I know a luthier who is willing to fix it up....... Does anyone have information on what this mandolin is? i cannot find a label anywhere. It is all solid woods.

Thanks,
Monica

[littlemoe]

And back side .

[littlemoe]

Another

[littlemoe]

more

[littlemoe]

The binding needs some glueing on the left shoulder looking at the back. I hope these photos are enough to hopefully gain information on this.

[littlemoe]

ok last one.

[Jim Garber]

Looks like nothing commercially made that I am aware of. I would say that whoever made it knew what he/she was doing and was fond of Martin carved top instruments.

How does it sound and play?

[brunello97]

Monica, it is quite a nice looking piece. Are you sure there aren't a few more pictures around? I'd love to see more of the back and the neck.

Does the scale look longer than a mandolin's or is it me confusing the 'scale' of your photographs?

Mick

[Yellowmandolin]

cool looking mando... does the neck meet the body at the 13th fret?

[littlemoe]

Sure..... heres some more pics

[littlemoe]

Neck

[littlemoe]

front

[littlemoe]

has nice figure

[littlemoe]

Headstock

[littlemoe]

back

[littlemoe]

Bridge

[littlemoe]

Back

[littlemoe]

neck

[Martin Jonas]

I'd agree with Jim that it doesn't look like any of the commercial builders, but there are some styling cues from the Martin carved tops. The body looks fairly large, compared to the neck, and the shoulders are much more sloping than one would expect from a two-pointer. Seems pretty well-made, with a nice tight spruce top and a pretty quilted back.

It looks like there may be a name on the tailpiece, but the resolution is too low to be sure.

Martin

[BlueMountain]

Amazing wood on the back and sides. Lovely black purfling on the front. The tuners are unusual. I don't recall seeing any with that shape--they sure don't look like what's currently available, but neither do they look like any of the old shapes I've seen, so far as I can recall. Is it perhaps European in origin? French? Made in some little workshop, I suspect. As there's no label, perhaps a very skilled amateur? The f-holes suggest someone who has built violins, as does the purfling? Have you checked under the top with a mirror.

It looks like a real beauty, and I hope the tone will match. Definitely worth repairing and keeping.

[littlemoe]

I Paid $150.00 for it, The neck needs to be taken off and steamed, Looks repairable. It's uplayable at right now. The binding also needs to be reglued in a few areas. other than that , I see no issues. Cracks or anything else structure wise. But for 150? what do you all think? Is it worth the work? timewise that is.....

Monnica

[danb]

yes, that's worth $150. It reminds me of Stradolins too?

[JEStanek]

If you can keep the total repairs under several hundred you'll have a really cool mando!

It looks very cool.

Jamie

[littlemoe]

I should probably mention, the repairs will cost nothing.... the luthier is a good friend of mine, and loves when I bring over an instrument in need of some work

[billhay4]

Monica,
When you say the neck needs to be steamed, what exactly do you mean?
I agree this is a lovely instrument. It should be put in playable condition. I'd like to hear a sound clip when you get it up and running.
Bill

[littlemoe]

HI bill,

The mandolin has a large amount of relief. I feel the whole neck angle even needs to be reset.

Monica

[Martin Jonas]

I've just dealt with a bowed neck by shimming the fretboard. I've posted a detailed description of my method, with pictures, here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=47061). Much easier and cheaper than a neck reset, which in any case wouldn't help for an actual bow in a non-truss rod neck.

Martin

[billhay4]

Not sure I'd try steam to restraighten the neck as I think it will just go back to where it was soon.
I'd use maringjonas' method or have the neck replaned.
Bill

[brunello97]

Is the neck itself bowed or has it rotated within its joint--pivoting upward at the point of connection to the body? #Given the shortness of a mandolin neck, it is often the latter that is the case. The fretboard then appears 'bowed'.

The neck itself may be straight, but now misaligned to the body. A careful examination of this might help best direct the work. #Many (most) US made mandolins have a joint (often dovetailed) which is accesible when the fingerboard is removed. Your luthier is certainly experiecened with this operation. Resetting the neck may not be as onerous as it seems, and certainly more desireable than the steam-press option, as Bill suggests. #

Planing may be a feasible option if the make-up angle is gentle enough. #I made a jig to do this with a router, but am sure the pros around here would have my head if they saw it.

I also made a simple adjustable jig for sanding a tapered jig out of solid wood (or tapering a replacement fretboard.) I've used it to resurrect a number of lost-cause bowlbacks. #The aesthetics of the resultant chunky fretboard vary with the necessary remedy angle.

I think you have a nice looking mandolin and would counsel patient discussion with your luthier. #You might pose the question over on the "Builders and Repair" forum and I'm sure you will get better and more experienced advice than mine.

$150? #Quite a nice purchase.

Keep us posted on how it progresses.

Mick