Larson brothers mandola

[BlindJohn]

Hello, I’m new to the mandolin (got a lovely, old Gibson A last summer and started trying to play the thing) and new to the Café.

I recently came upon a Larson Brothers mandola, built in the early 1900s, that matched my 2 Larson guitars. #So, how could I resist? #It needs a bit of work (back and top separated from the sides along the butt end), but, to my eyes, is lovely.

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/37975/2664676570033810361S500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/32527/2673091400033810361S500x500Q85.jpg

Any other Larson players here?

[Jim Garber]

Nice grouping, John. I love the pickguard on the right-hand guitar. I wish I had a larson-made instrument but the closest I have come is one that may be one, tho I personally doubt that. Are yours labelled Stahls, Maurers or what?

I am looking fwd to seeing other examples.

[BlindJohn]

Jim,

Thanks for the kind words!

The guitars are both Maurers, and both from the early 1920s. #The one with the pickguard (I like it, too!) is a 00 sized 451. #The other is a 000 sized 551.

The mandola is an "F.N. Winter." #I've traded emails with Bob Hartman, Carl Larson's grandson and author of "The Larson's Creations." #This is the first and only Larson instrument discovered with that label.

http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/39502/2475172160033810361S500x500Q85.jpg

[Bob A]

I have a Stahl bowlback and a Maurer guitar. Interesting instruments.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Welcome John...very nice instruments that have alot of grace and style

[brunello97]

John,

Thanks for sharing the pictures and information. Nice looking stuff. The guitars are sweet. Any chance we could see some more shots of the mandola?

I have what Jim Garber calls a 'boatback' that has a higher than expected level of craft, a lack of obvious L+H characteristics and the distinctive ebony edge beneath the fretboard binding. I've often wondered whether it might be out of the Larson's shop. (but I've seen so many unlabeled instruments attributed to the LBros that I'm reluctant to do the same.) No labeling extant, so I'm just speculating. It is also a curious piece.

I should get myself a copy of Carl's book/cd. Does anyone have it? Recommend it?

Mick

[violmando]

My friend Miko and I have "twin" Stahl/Larson mandocellos which we've posted here before; they have been played in the Dayton Mandolin Orchestra. He's had his a long time and loaned it to me to play and then I found mine on eBay. I love the sound of them--rich, low bass and clear, ringing trebles. I'm going to try and post the pick again. Yvonne C:\Documents and Settings\Yvonne\My Documents\My Pictures\613d_3.jpg

[Jim Garber]

Yvonne:
You have to upload the file. You listed a path on your own hard drive.

Is this one yours (or like it)?

[BlindJohn]

Thanks, all!

Mick,

I've got some detailed pics of the mandola ... somewhere. #I'll dig them out later today. #In the meantime, I can offer this close-up of one of the guitars. #It shows that half-binding on the fingerboard and the soundhole binding. Notice that there is wood showing beneath the binding. This is another Larson indicator: #the soundhole binding sits on a "ledge" of the topwood. #If your mandolin has this feature, it's almost certainly a Larson.

http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/40033/2316397910033810361S500x500Q85.jpg

Bob Hartman's book really is worth having. #In addition to lots of info about Larson instruments (and some beatuiful pics), it's got a very nice companion CD with recordings of many instruments, including mandolins. #The most interesting tracks may be of Jimi Hendrix playing his Larson acoustic that he later gave to Clapton who left it at Felix Pappalardi's house.

[racuda]

I have a Larson too, branded Maurer. I can find next to nothing about them on the internet.

It is a great compliment to my A2Z.

http://home.earthlink.net/~racuda/images/Maurer_mando.jpg

[brunello97]

Here is a Mauer (Larson) #with some similarities to yours.

Also a link to a GGruhn discussion of Maurer with some Larson Bros. information:

http://www.gruhn.com/articles/maurer.html

There is the book/CD by #Robert Carl Hartman: "The Larsons creations" and his web site

http://www.larsonscreations.com/

Also a dedicated site to the Larson bros. #

http://www.larsonbrothersguitars.com/

Mick

[violmando]

Let's see if I can do it this time--here's my friend Miko and I with our twin Larson/Stahl mandocellos. Using the serial numbers as a guide, we're assuming his is the older, but both have the same Stahl stamp inside and, other than replacement tailpieces, are virtually identical. Lovely ringing tones and booming C strings. #I play mine regularly in the Dayton Mandolin Orchestra. Yvonne in Ohio

[violmando]

Here's the pic....nope, it tells me I can't add it. Sorry! I've tried 3 times. Well, we're already on here twice already if you do a search for Larson mandocello.

[CraigF]

Is this the one you're after?

[BlindJohn]

Cool Larsons! The Maurer is a real beauty. Those mandocellos are something else.

Thanks for sharing the pics.

[cooper4205]

those are awesome. does anyone know the Larson's ever make any 'cellos (celli?) under the Euphonon name, or was it strictly for guitars?

[violmando]

Yep, those are our celli--thanks for getting them to post. Having trouble with my pc and I cleaned up a bunch of stuff--now it won't post here! Don't know about Euphonon celli; all the ones I have seen on the net were either described as Stahl or just mentioned as Larson. ?? I would like to get a mandolin to match, but right now don't have the money. But I LOVE the sound of my cello--it really has PRESENCE! Yvonne

[ejkauf99]

Here is my Larsons Maurer branded bowlback.

[gweetarpicker]

Two more Larson (Stahl) cellos.

[gweetarpicker]

Larson (Stahl)mandocello, octave mandolin and mandola

[brunello97]

Great looking Stahl-Larsons. Are these your instruments? Where are these? Any more information would be very much appreciated.

Mick

[woodwizard]

These are all marvelous.

[gweetarpicker]

The Stahl mandolin family stuff all came orginally from Bob Hartman. #One of the cellos belongs to a pal of mine and we couldn't help getting the two together for a photo. I have played four different Larson mandocellos and all were very nice. #The shape of the instrument allows great access to the upper range for classical stuff. #I have Thomastiks on mine now although I have tried custom gauage phosphor bronze as well as the Dogal handmade mandocello strings. #Each string type gives a different voice. #

In my opinion, the benttop/flatback Larson mandolas have amazing tone and are the cream of the crop as far as Larson mandolin family instruments go. #I've played three examples, and all were cannons. #I think that body style is particularly well suited for the mandola pitch. #I still don't have a Larson mandolin to complete the set but it's on the wish list!

[mrmando]

I still don't have a Larson mandolin to complete the set but it's on the wish list!
How about this (http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/msg/563705997.html)?

[brunello97]

Nice looking flatback mrmando, but I doubt that is a Larson. It does look like out of the Chicago stable though to me--L+H or Regal would be my guess.

Mick

[Old Time Poppy]

I Rekon I'm a Larson Bros. Fanatic too...Here's my collection--- O T Poppy

[allenhopkins]

Here's a link (http://www.bernunzio.com/item.php?sku=0711350) to a mandola labeled "Bruno" that John Bernunzio thinks is Larson Brothers.

[brunello97]

Nice spread OTP. Can you give us a breakdown on the instruments, or at least some more information about them?

thanks!

Mick

[Old Time Poppy]

OK, here's a breakdown of the Larson's in the photo. I had Carl Larson's grandson Bob Hartman do appraisals on all my Larson Mandos and Guitars.

In front laying on their sides are both Bowlbacks. The one on the right a 1917(Stahl)I sold to Lowell Levinger (Bananna @ Players Vintage Instrments) The Bowlback on the left I keep and is a 1920 Maurer. Standing left to right are as follows:

1. 1935 Maurer with Rosewood Back and sides...which Bob Hartman says is a "Milwaukee Euphonon"... Originally sold by Wack Sales in Milwaukee.

2. Is a 1920-25 Wurlitzer Labeled mandolin which Bob Hartman and I both agree was most likely made by Larson Bros. Also Rosewood Back and sides.

3. Has a Stahl label and very pretty inlay.c.1915. Also Brazilian back and sides. I might add that all these Larsons sound terrific but this one has a little something extra special...and is one of my favorites.

4. 1924 Stahl Mandola ...Now this baby is an absolute monster.Maple Back and sides. Words cannot express how fine she sounds. I'm also a Gibby lover and collector...I sold a fabulous h-4 to D.Grisman (which he used in the PBS Stonewall Jackson special) and kept this one as my only Mandola.

5.Is an early Presentation Grade mandolin c.1916. Best sounding of the bunch too!MOP and Abalone everywhere front, back and sides. Just lovely Brazilian wood too.NoLabel...but also no doubts as to who made it!

6. 1926 Maurer....Rather plain in appearance but a killer sound.

I had 4 Larson Guitars and sold 3 of them .... I kept my personal favorite which is a Maurer variation of style 526 1/2 c.1926 which is decked out pretty much like a Martin 00-30 on the body but with a beatiful headstock inlay and nice Larsonesque fretboard markers.

[Old Time Poppy]

Just one more thing...If you like Larson's you will love Bob Hartman's Larson's Creations Books....and his latest (and he says last) edition is at least twice a informative as any of the previous ones in my opinion. No financial interest to me but the book is available at his website. -Brian-

[brunello97]

Thanks, Brian for the background information. #A really fantastic collection. #

Is #6 a bit deeper in section than the others or is that from the angle of the photograph? # I should really get Bob's book. #I have what Jim Garber calls a 'boatback' mandolin that I've been suspecting is of Larson heritage but remain uncertain. #I ought to clear that up one way or the other.

I'm sure I speak for others who would enjoy seeing more images of the Larsons if you have the time to post them.

Mick

[MML]

Very nice collection. I #had a Wurlitzer labeled mandolin that I thought was a made by the Larsons. It had such a wonderful sound. I sold it to a very nice lady who I know really loves it. She is a vetrinarian if I remember correctly. (Hello if you read this). http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Old Time Poppy]

Mick, Its just the angle on #6 on the far right, It also has a maple back.
It is now thought that there are far fewer actual Larsons than once thought. There are certain features that are Larsonesque that other enigmatic Chicago also used. Mr.Hartmans latest book is very informative. There are also informative websites including Hartman's larsonscreations.com and Dan Alexander's larsonbrothersguitars.com. which are my two personal favorites. After you see the info on these sites and you still think you may have a Larson...email Mr. Hartman with pics and description and serial# if one is visible (usually on a top brace visable through the soundhole) and he will probably tell you if it is or if it aint.

Since this thread was originally about Larson Mandolas I'll post picks of my Mandola first. I'm happy to post pics if you let me know which you would like to see.

[Old Time Poppy]

This mandola had a broken neck and the tuners were replaced with 40's enclosed Klusons

[Old Time Poppy]

Mandola Fretboard

[Old Time Poppy]

Mandola Top

[Old Time Poppy]

Stained Maple Back...

[Old Time Poppy]

one last pic... this shows some familiar Larson characteristics...the ebony showing under the binding on the side of the fretboard (but not the fretboard extension)also the soundhole binding rests on a ledge of the top i.e. the soubdhole binding is not as thick as the top. The serial # visable on the top brace (sometimes the ser# is on the opposite brace going towards the tail) and also sometimes there is no ser# especially on custom made Larsons.

[Old Time Poppy]

Hello Mike Lettieri... : http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif I've had 3 Wurlitzer mandos and all of them were made by different makers. This is the only one that I suspect may be a Larson. It smacks of a larson in its sound and its bracing...but is lacking some of the other tell tale Larson Characteristics. Its body and bracing and its sound is very much like the Presentation Larson... (#5 in the group photo). The other Wurlitzer I still have I think was made by Weymann. I sold one a few years ago I think was made by Martin...it had a Wurlitzer label over an Oliver Ditson label. I had another similar mando that had a Ditson Label over a Sammo (Samuel Osborne) enigmatic Masonic Chicago label.... Anyway here are a couple pics front and back of the suspected Larson.

[Old Time Poppy]

Larson Made? Wurlitzer

[MML]

Interesting how the bridge sits below the top cart, that's a very "Vega" trait. Mine looked very similar however it had pearl inlay in the pickguard. Thanks for sharing the pics.