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Thread: Old violin head mandolin-Any ideas what it is?

  1. #1
    Registered User Vernon Hughes's Avatar
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    Default Old violin head mandolin-Any ideas what it is?

    Just picked this project mandolin up off feebay for little of nothing..I don't have it in hand yet but was wondering if anyone can help identify it..It's a flat back not a bowl.
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    Hughes F-5 #1
    Hughes A model #1
    1922 Gibson A-2
    1958 Gibson A-5

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    Café habitué Paul Hostetter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old violin head mandolin-Any ideas what it is?

    For some reason your attached images won't open. From what little I can see, it looks to be European. Any off-site link for the photos?
    .
    ph

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  3. #3
    Registered User Vernon Hughes's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old violin head mandolin-Any ideas what it is?

    Sorry about that ..don't know what I did..Here is the link to the ended item.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Mand...item416ab6a213
    Hughes F-5 #1
    Hughes A model #1
    1922 Gibson A-2
    1958 Gibson A-5

  4. #4
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old violin head mandolin-Any ideas what it is?

    I'm getting a real "German vibe" off it, but couldn't point to anything specific to justify that, other than the inlaid pickguard -- which looks like the ones on several German instruments I've seen -- and the shape of the f-holes.
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old violin head mandolin-Any ideas what it is?

    Phew! That is a combo of a few identifiable mandolins. Body shape of what I call a boatback, scroll headstock like a Brandt bowlback and f-holes like a Waldo.

    Tuners resemble some I have seen on Italian bowlbacks but may come from the UK early 20th century replacement tuners and may not be any indication of country of origin.

    It looks like you have to take the top off anyway, so maybe you will find some other clues inside. I would be curious what the back of the neck looks like. Naples-made mandolins have a characteristic neck join with veneer covering.

    Let us know more when it arrives.
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    Jim

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    Registered User Vernon Hughes's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old violin head mandolin-Any ideas what it is?

    From the looks of it the back is loose,think i'll attack it from the rear if possible..It was just so ornately ugly I had to buy it.Plus I enjoy a challenge.
    Hughes F-5 #1
    Hughes A model #1
    1922 Gibson A-2
    1958 Gibson A-5

  7. #7
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old violin head mandolin-Any ideas what it is?

    Not a bad idea and the back looks like it would come off easily. In any case, there may be some clues inside.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
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    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

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