Yet Another Anonymous Bowl Back/Taterbug: ID?

[words]

Hello Fellow Mandolinists!

This is my taterbug mandolin. I've had it for years, and I've always wondered where it might have come from. There's no other bowlback like it online. It's got a tiny star on the headstock; apart from a serial number inside that reads "5511," the star is its only marking. It's a splendid instrument. The frets are worn from frequent play, yet nearly every note works. I'd love it if anyone could identify it, but I'm not holding my breath. Another generic cheapie, most probably, not that that changes how much I love it.

I got it for free from a buddy in High School. When he heard that I had actually started playing mando, he told me to keep it. The only part on it that isn't original is the bridge. I had to give it a new bridge to fix the intonation. I still have the old bridge, though it's got a chip out of it. Voila:

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/6619/dsc00902d.jpg

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/4438/dsc00903a.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1236/dsc00904fed.jpg

[Plamen Ivanov]

[QUOTE=Hello Fellow Mandolinists!

This is my taterbug mandolin. I've had it for years, and I've always wondered where it might have come from. QUOTE]

I'd say it comes from the US. You will also receive input from other board members with much more detailed info on it.

[words]

I'd say it comes from the US. You will also receive input from other board members with much more detailed info on it.

That'd be great! Anyone? Maybe I'm going to have to do some investigative manthropology and find the answer out for myself. I wouldn't know where to start though. It's unique, and yet it's like every other bowlback ever made.

[Jim Garber]

All I can say is that the headstock resembles some bowlbacks sold by Lyon & Healy. I will have to check out my catalogs and see if I have anything that looks like yours.

[words]

All I can say is that the headstock resembles some bowlbacks sold by Lyon & Healy. I will have to check out my catalogs and see if I have anything that looks like yours.

Thank you Jim! I would love it if this mando had anything to do with Lyon & Healy. I played one in Halifax's Folklore centre; it had a round sound hole like mine, but it was a flat back; mine couldn't hold a candle to it. It reminded me of those old Gibson teardrops.

Let me know whether your catalogues turn up anything interesting, and thanks!

W