What do you think of this...

[RobP]

Hey Gang,

I need a mandolin to leave at work -- and I would prefer an oval hole. #I found this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....hosting (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3777704311&indexURL=4#ebayphotohosting)

Any comments?

Thanks

Rob in Oregon

[Eugene]

American Conservatory was a mid-level brand of Chicago's Lyon & Healy company. I like the looks of this piece, quite a bit. In my opinion, all mahogany is more attractive to the eye than ear; mahogany soundboards lend a pleasant, "intimate" tone to an instrument, but they tend to be too soft-voiced for my taste.

Be cautious. The crease in the soundboard of old flat-top mandolins is called the cant. These instruments were not built for strings as heavy as those popularized by bluegrass and many mandolins were over strung in old age as light strings became increasingly difficult to obtain. I've seen a great many such flat mandolins that were once of decent quality, but with completely collapsed cants or wrecked necks thanks to overly heavy strings. If you decide to pursue this, ask a great many very pointed questions of the condition of the soundboard and neck. If the seller cannot or will not answer, approach with great skepticism. I wouldn't consider it unless it only needed trivial repairs. If you do score it, string it very lightly (e.g., with GHS's "Classical" set or the classic Black Diamonds).

[Lee]

I thought I saw this instrument posted previously on Ebay and the seller described the back separating from the sides up near the neck joint, which is exactly what that one photo shows. Set the current seller is claiming no separations.

[acousticphd]

I've been tracking that Regal too. I think it looks way cool.. But I haven't asked any questions of the seller so I doubt I will make any overtures so late in the game. I also recall this, or a very similar one, from a previous ebay auction. The possible back separation looks fairly trivial, but Eugene's warnings about the top condition sound wise - you can't really see much of the top's contour with the picture angle.

[acousticphd]

Duh - I'm confusing two different benttop mandos I've been watching, the Lyon and Healy mentioned above, as well as this much more battered Regal: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3777850579&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT.

[soapycows]

Nice mandolin. I've dealt with this guy before and he's a nice guy. ALways has great mando stuff for sale.
Note the bridge is below the cant. Usually the bridge is above the cant. Either the strings are loose, or if it is set up properly in the picture, there could be slight distortion in the top or neck which necesiates moving the bridge.

[RobP]

eeek.. over $200.00 now!

Too much for this picker for a sight-unseen gamble.

Oh well -- thanks for the input!


Rob

[MANDOLINMYSTER]

I think the price is to high, I have sold and bought nicer mandolins of that type for less money. Don't drink wine and bid http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif