Supertone Bowl Back

[Arlen]

Long time since I've posted here. Drop in once in awhile for a good read ... always a great resource.

I've been thinking about picking up a bowl back for kicks. I ran across a Supertone that seems in very nice condition, lots of ribs and very tight seams. I wasn't aware bowl backs were made under the Supertone brand, but as I discover the older I get, I'm not aware of a lot of things.

As I understand it, Supertone was a Sears brand, built by numerous other mfrs. Any idea when they stopped selling bowl backs in favor of more "modern" desings? Any idea who might have been the maker?

Thanks in advance.
Arlen

[Jim Garber]

Most bowlbacks still appeared in American instrument catalogs into the 1920s. The Supertone was prob built by Lyon & Healy or Regal or Stromberg-Voisenet (later to become Kay), tho that is just a wild guess.

Can you post pics of it? That might help. Lots of ribs generally means higher end instrument. Of course "lots" is a relative term. How many ribs does it have?

Jim

[Eugene]

Of the Supertones I've seen, most struck me as rather base Stromberg-Voisenet instruments...or were completely unidentifiable other than "generic entry-level American bowlback." #There could have been other makers as well. The one Sears brand of bowlback really worth pursuing is Acme Professional, but they don't show up with much frequency.#I'd probably recommend you hold out for an entry-level Vega or one of Lyon & Healy's better brands in good condition, like American Conservatory or especially Washburn.

[Arlen]

I always thought Supertones were bottom line too, however this one looks nicer. Seller knows nothing about mandos, and I don't have the opportunity to play it. This is really just a lark, just to have a bowl back to play with, and I don't want to spend much money. No one locally carries old bowl backs, so I just have to take a chance on what I buy.

I was actually planning on going Washburn or L$H when I ran across this, and it caught my attention.

Here's a pic. I have no idea of the value of bowl backs, but I know most aren't worth much .. if I stayed say between $100 & $150 or so???

[PlayerOf8]

sure looks like a Stromberg-Voisenet to me. The headstock shape is their's, so are the black keys

George

[Arlen]

Thanks ... good to know.

Guess what I probably should be asking is does that mean "junk .. bottom of the barrel" or "ok, decent rookie mandolin" as far as quality goes. Were entry-level mandos of this vintage as poorly built and unplayable as entry-level mandos today? What would be too much to pay?

There's a nice Washburn in the classifieds, and what looks to be a very nice Washburn on ebay right now, both in the $300 range. Is that about right for a Washburn bowl back?

While neither is really much money at all as far as mandos go, I don't really "need" another mandolin and I'm not sure I can justify too much of a splurge right now, spare pennies are pretty scarce nowadays. I should probably stay cheap, but playable. But if the sound quality is going to suck, and it's going to be a bear to play, I'd rather just wait till better quality is more readily affordable.

[Eugene]

On the Supertone, it certainly is a lower calibre than anything of the Washburn brand. #I wouldn't recommend you put more than the mid-$100s into such a thing. #Set the bridge for the best intonation possible. #If it then rests behind the cant, it's not worth your effort at any price. #All Washburns were fine working-class instruments and almost all were backed in Brazilian rosewood and topped with quality spruce. #There were a great many models built for the Washburn brand from the 1880s into the 1920s, and price varies on level of decor. #The most basic Washburns should take around $200 in playable or near-playable condition; the fanciest should take over $1,000. #Really exceptional condition can inflate the price a bit. #Needing an appreciable amount of work will render such stuff worth much less. #I would also recommend you keep your eyes peeled for Vega mandolins. #I really like them and think they were of remarkably consistent quality.

When you do score an old bowlback, be certain to keep only the very lightest strings on it. #GHS's "Classical" set is readliy available and light enough to do no harm (down to 0.009" on e"), but relatively short-lived. #I like Dogal's "Calace" carbon steel RW-92b set.

What kind of repertoire do you intend to handle on this, Arlen?

[Arlen]

Thanks Eugene, that's exactly the level of advice I'm needing. Sounds like I'd best pass on the supertone for now and wait for the cash flow to improve a bit. I had read before to only use lights, but I appreciate the recommendation.

Though I've been playing for 5 years or so, I'm just now getting comfortable w/ jamming … Mostly old time and some bluegrass on my '21 reworked/refinished gibson 'A' (read pretty good deal in my book). I've been playing a lot of waltzes lately, and got to thinking they might sound pretty on a bowl back. Also would like to learn some more celtic, and figured it might be fun to use for that too.

Really appreciate you taking the time to spell things out for me.

Arlen