Here's Waldo!

**JeffD** · Nov-06-2008, 10:59pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Vintage-...1%7C240%3A1318

Is that cool or what.

**Mike Bromley** · Nov-06-2008, 11:26pm

Yep! I love the tuners!

**JEStanek** · Nov-07-2008, 7:57am

That's a lot of scratch for a bowl with loose binding and a back crack. Does anyone know if the $400+ price is realistic? Not that I'm interested in purchasing, just interested in knowing.

Jamie

**Eddie Sheehy** · Nov-07-2008, 11:54am

I've never seen one before. If that was a high-end Vega (which is similiar) in that condition it would fetch around $300. Maybe the rareness of it justifies another $200. I look for an intact top and straight neck when I check out a bowlback, the bowl seam splits don't really bother me. Depends on who (and how many) wants it. If there's a bidding war between the top 2, plus any snipers, it could easily double.

**Eddie Sheehy** · Nov-07-2008, 11:56am

If I had it I'd dress it up in red-and-white striped woolies and hide it in my collection....

**JeffD** · Nov-07-2008, 12:16pm

I don't see bowlbacks with F holes that often, there are a few, but certainly not the norm. And especially stradolin style three part F holes.

And the tuners!

Very cool.

**MikeEdgerton** · Nov-07-2008, 12:16pm

Well, lets see. An earlier example of a mandolin with F holes than Schutt or Gibson, some value. The case will get you $300.00 or so from a Martin bowlback owner without a case. The mandolin has to have some historical value so I'd say it's probably somewhere near what it's worth at 475.00. Is it worth more than that? Depends on if somebody bids it higher.

**JEStanek** · Nov-07-2008, 12:18pm

Thanks guys. For the record, those tuners and the case are pretty cool. Are those Titelist Tuners?

Jamie

**JeffD** · Nov-07-2008, 2:01pm

A year and a half ago when I was working in New Mexico, I talked to a saddle maker about making a thin leather "over skin" to go over my Eastman bowlback mandolin case. Well when he figured in materials and labor, the price was in the same range.

**mandolooter** · Nov-07-2008, 2:18pm

cool looking bugger but those watermelon mandolins are too hard to hold on to.

**Schlegel** · Nov-07-2008, 3:12pm

Originally Posted by mandolooter

cool looking bugger but those watermelon mandolins are too hard to hold on to.

Just glue a rubber mat to the back. After all, if it's good enough for Pettine...

**Weagle** · Nov-07-2008, 3:31pm

Am I confused??? You are going to have to buy a tailpiece for that mandolin aren't you??? What would you put on it??? Please correct me if I am wrong. What would that cost???

It is the oldest bowlback I have ever seen. Like the inlay on the neck.

Weagle

**Jim Broyles** · Nov-07-2008, 4:01pm

The front line of this late-1800s combo all sport Waldo mandolins.
They had f-holes decades before the F-5 appeared. (Photo courtesy of Paul Ruppa)

**Eddie Sheehy** · Nov-07-2008, 4:08pm

For a tailpiece, you could put on anything that fits. An old Vega or Fairbanks one would suit nice.

**MikeEdgerton** · Nov-07-2008, 4:18pm

Originally Posted by Weagle

Am I confused??? You are going to have to buy a tailpiece for that mandolin aren't you??? What would you put on it??? Please correct me if I am wrong. What would that cost???

It is the oldest bowlback I have ever seen. Like the inlay on the neck.

Weagle

Yes, you are confused, there is a tailpiece there, it is missing the cover the same as 3/4 of the bowlback mandolins in the CF Martin museum are missing the covers.

It's old but it's not ancient.

**Eddie Sheehy** · Nov-07-2008, 5:14pm

Originally Posted by Eddie Sheehy

For a tailpiece, you could put on anything that fits. An old Vega or Fairbanks one would suit nice.

I am of course referring to COVERS.... one size fits all.... with a tweak

**Weagle** · Nov-07-2008, 5:36pm

I hate to show my ignorance on this but looking at the picture on eBay it looks like the strings are attached to a single pin and fan out to the bridge. Does or would the cover help with the separation or help maintain the string separation or is the bridge keeping the strings separate???

I hope I am making sense with my question. I am not that familiar with bowlbacks. I appreciate the responses so far.

Weagle

**jefflester** · Nov-07-2008, 6:20pm

Originally Posted by Weagle

I hate to show my ignorance on this but looking at the picture on eBay it looks like the strings are attached to a single pin and fan out to the bridge. Does or would the cover help with the separation or help maintain the string separation or is the bridge keeping the strings separate???

Look at all of the pictures. (the lowest tang is broken, so the two G strings would have to share, or it would need a replacement, or maybe the small screw could be used :-)

**Eddie Sheehy** · Nov-07-2008, 6:20pm

Nope. The cover is just for show, though it could be used to dampen the strings at the back. However, if it's not a tight fit it will add a cacophanous rattle.....
It oly looks like the strings are connected to one post....it's missing most of the strings, you can just see the bass strings. Looks like a angled cover will do nicely - purely cosmetic of course.

**Eddie Sheehy** · Nov-07-2008, 6:22pm

Ah, one pin missing, either double up two strings or replace the tailpiece....

**MikeEdgerton** · Nov-07-2008, 6:33pm

Originally Posted by Weagle

I hate to show my ignorance on this but looking at the picture on eBay it looks like the strings are attached to a single pin and fan out to the bridge. Does or would the cover help with the separation or help maintain the string separation or is the bridge keeping the strings separate???

Other than the missing pin (not a big deal really) this tailpiece is the same as the majority of mandolin tailpieces used from the teens up by almost everyone (including some Gibsons, all Martins, most Kays, most Harmony's etc.) The famous Waverly Cloud or Clam shell style tailpiece looks almost identical and works the exact same way. All those mandolins that have a tailpiece that looks like this picture look pretty much like that tailpiece when the cover is removed.

**Weagle** · Nov-07-2008, 6:36pm

Thanks a bunch guys!!!!! I have learned some stuff tonight.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Appreciate the assistance.

Weagle

**JeffD** · Nov-07-2008, 7:18pm

jb what a great pic.

**BradKlein** · Nov-08-2008, 3:21pm

What an elegant instrument! I'm not a bowlback guy, but this would obviously cost thousands to have made today, if you COULD find someone to do it.

Headstock:

**brunello97** · Nov-08-2008, 5:21pm

I had a simpler model Waldo for awhile. The Saginaw, Michigan connection had me hooked. A common problem (which mine had) is curling or deformation around the f-holes. These tops are considerably thinner than carved tops. They show up on ebay from time to time, but this is one of the nicer ones I've seen. The detailing is very nice, and I love the demi-scratch plate and in-laid 'Waldo'. Tim Stevens, from out in Vancouver, who used to haunt the MC a bit knows quite a bit about them, and was researching information for a book on the company. That would be a great addition to the canon.

Mick