So what's this poor thing, really? Dealer says "Avalon, 1890s"

[Dara Korra'ti]

So a friend of mine has sent me photos of a mandolin she found in an antique store and wants to know what it actually is, and whether it's salvageable as an instrument. The tag says "Avalon, 1890/90s" and notes that the trim is ivory and that it "needs work." I have my doubts about everything but the last bit. It's not strung, it has a bridge but she doesn't know whether it's original, but the footer seems to have gone on walkabout, ar ar ar ar ar. So I thought this seemed like the place to ask. ^_^

Anyway, photos; they're off her phone and blurry, sorry:

http://solarbird.net/Livejournal/2010-04/front-1.jpg

http://solarbird.net/Livejournal/2010-04/side-1.jpg

Here's where the foot used to be attached:

http://solarbird.net/Livejournal/2010-04/missing-foot.jpg

I've seen an Italian bowlback mandolin of similar vintage and styling, but that looks like a Scottish thistle to me in the decoration, which makes an Italian origin seem unlikely. But I don't know! Since it's post-1850 (I am pretty sure about that) then it should take metal strings so at least you'd think it'd be able to take metal strings now, assuming it's structurally sound. There was an Avalon mandolin label in the early 20th century (a label of Stadlmair, who may have just been a distributor?), but that mostly seems to have been later (1920s).

So, um... what _is_ this? Was it ever a worthwhile instrument, do you think, or was it always ornamental?

[billkilpatrick]

looking at your friend's mandolin is like looking at an older brother/sister of my mandolin:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7738680@N05/4446796469/

i believe the "ivory" is ... i want to say "cellulite" but i know that's not right. the purfling is the same but the pick guard and tuning platform are slightly different (hers is indented up top; mine has a convex half-circle.) i'm sure it's worth a trip to a luthier to have it sorted. she should be very happy to have found it - lucky girl.

[Malcolm G.]

It "looks" to be in pretty decent shape if, in fact, it is that old. Nuts, bridges and walkabout tailpieces are easily replaced if you're not fussy about original parts.
Myself, I'd have the lightest gauge strings installed by a luthier the first time so he could watch it come up to full stress.
Best of luck - this may indeed be a find.

[Schlegel]

I'm pretty sure that's American, from one the Chicago-based companies. The white trim and buttons are celluloid. This looks like a basic middle-class model. These can be decent instruments, sometimes surprisingly good. Typically the American-made bowlbacks are a bit larger and slightly more stoutly built than most Italian mandolins, so they tend to have their own sound, which is a little less weighted towards the treble. vintage tailpieces are not too hard to find if you watch Ebay. Lube the gears with dry teflon based lubricant before you try to turn them at all- it makes a huge difference and can save gears that look like basket-cases at first. GHS A240 ultralights are the cheapest appropriate strings.

I'm a sucker for hard-luck cases, myself, so I have a pile of these guys.

[allenhopkins]

Looks a lot like this Washburn (http://www.nwponyexpress.com/vintage-musical-instruments/mandolins/washburn-bowl-back-mandolin-w-inlay-c1920/) on an Idaho website. "Washburn" was one of the labels distributed, possibly manufactured, by the big Chicago music outfit Lyon & Healy. Northwest Pony Express want $750 for theirs, which may be a bit optimistic, IMHO. Of course, it's in better condition. I say get yours playable, string it up, and see what you (or your friend) have (has?).

[Dara Korra'ti]

Wow, you guys are good. Thanks! Now I'm all excited! I hope she goes for it - I want to hear it played! ^_^

(And if anyone has more to add, please do! Now I'm quite curious myself...)

[billkilpatrick]

the photo i attached didn't appear - i'll try one more time:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7738680@N05/4446796469/

... oh well, you'll just have to take my word for it - they're similar.

[Bruce Clausen]

Looks interesting. But I would wonder why the tailpiece is gone. It seems just possible it was removed from a non-working instrument to be put on a better one.

Also, it'd be nice to see the back of the peghead. Is there a covering plate there?

BC

[Dara Korra'ti]

Bill:

The link is still good, I just open in another window and can see it fine. ^_^ Thanks!

[billkilpatrick]

that's odd ... nothing shows up on my screen. here's what it sounds like (this should work) - and yes, there's a metal covering plate on the back of the peg board:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-_8gP-Fo1Q

[Schlegel]

looking at your friend's mandolin is like looking at an older brother/sister of my mandolin:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7738680@N05/4446796469/

i believe the "ivory" is ... i want to say "cellulite" but i know that's not right. the purfling is the same but the pick guard and tuning platform are slightly different (hers is indented up top; mine has a convex half-circle.) i'm sure it's worth a trip to a luthier to have it sorted. she should be very happy to have found it - lucky girl.
57940
Here you go, Bill.

[Dara Korra'ti]

Ooo, pretty! Thanks, relayed. ^_^

[billkilpatrick]

thank you schlegel ... the word i was looking for (the "ivory") is celluloid.

[Jim Garber]

Sorry to come late for this party, but IMHO this is not in the same league as the $750 Washburn. I agree that it is prob a product of one of the Chicago and environs' factories. The headstock sort of resembles Wulschner/Regals which are very decent instruments. Of course, the real value of this comes to how restorable it is without spending more than it is worth. hard to tell from the cell phone images, but it looks like it has been maybe too long in a dry attic. I don't know what your friend paid for it but i hope it wasn't too much. OTOH if they got a bargain, it does have the potential to be a decent playable mandolin.

[Cary Fagan]

the headstock is the same as a lyon and healy that I've got a photo of in my file.

[bigbike]

Also coming to this party late, but it also looks simular to my SS STewart (see the avatar). Right down to the plate covering the tuners on the back of the peghear. If your friend gets it and puts it into playable shape, it could be a VERY nice sounding mandolin. Mine sure is.

[Margriet]

thank you schlegel ... the word i was looking for (the "ivory") is celluloid.

the word I came to for this material is "milkstone", another chemical process.