I need repair help

[Blueglass]

I live in South Dakota and I need someone who can do quality work on my latest purchase. #I have just bought a gorgeous Larson Brothers Bowlback mandolin.
There is a crack along the bowl and the neck needs to be set. #It could also use a good cleaning. #
Please replay if you are able to do such work and are somewhere close to South Dakota.

[Eugene]

There aren't many folks who are particularly good at working on these. The guy I prefer is Tom Crandall at Umanov Guitars (http://www.umanovguitars.com/) in NYC. I'm in Ohio but I think tricky bowlback repairs are worth the shipping cost. You may want to call the shop to feel out his availability and possible expense involved.

If I may pry, what brand is your Larson-made mandolin, Blueglass?

[Blueglass]

Mine is a Stetson Mandolin
made by the larson brothers
I had an expert at the Shine to Music Measuem confirm they (larson bro.) made it.
there is a picture of a Stetson on larsonbrothersguitars.com
but mine is in a hundred times better condition than the one pictured on the website.
I nervious about having the right person handle it.

[Jim Garber]

Just curious... did you ask at the Museum who they would use to restore a vintage mandolin? Otherwise, Eugene is right that Tom is one of the best.

Jim

[Big Joe]

We have the capabilities to do this kind of work. We do work on any instrument with strings no matter the make or style. We do lots of neck sets and crack repairs on all kinds of instsruments. Not soliciting business, just making you aware. Thank you.

[Jim Garber]

BTW neck sets on these bowlbacks can be dicey. Sometimes there is not a lot of "meat" around the neck joint.

Jim

[Eugene]

...And, as Jim implies, in some cases there are more workable alternatives to neck resets for bowlbacks of which bowlback-savvy luthiers will be aware and with which they will have experience that others might not.

[berkeleymando]

Daniel Larson of Duluth, MN is alleged (on the classical section of this board) to be one of few people in the US skilled in making and fixing bowlbacks. His Vega-style bowlbacks and other instruments seem really nice.
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http://www.daniellarson.com/

[Eugene]

Daniel did some work on one of my old Martins. He did a fine job, but I believe his forte is building. There were some things that weren't quite like the original would have been. For mandolin repair/restoration, I think I would still favor Tom Crandall.