Would you refinish this mandolinetto or leave it as-is?

[Matt the Mead Maker]

I've got a mandolinetto that was pretty much totalled (cracked/detached front and back, missing braces, etc.). I had to remove the old pick guard because it was cracked and falling off. I've got a picture of it, below.

Would you refinish this mando or leave the cracked, chipped finish as-is? If you were to refinish the instrument would you do it before or after replacing the pick guard?

Many thanks in advance for your advice.

[Tavy]

It depends - what make is it? What's it's value now compared to after the refinish? How much damage did you do to the old finish in making the repairs?

As for the top - looks like the top may not have had any finish on it anyway (in the Italian style)? In which case just carefully clean up the top, maybe seal it with some thin shellac and leave as is.

[Jim Garber]

I always lean to leaving it as-is or a close as reasonable. I agree with John/Tavy's with questions that are things to consider. Also, are you planning on selling it or keeping it? I prefer the old mojo to the newish looking older mandolin.

[Matt the Mead Maker]

Thanks for the input, guys. Your points make a lot of sense. To answer your questions:

1) I don't think this mando will be worth a whole lot after the repairs are complete - maybe $150? It's a neat little mandolinetto and it's come a long way from the shape I received it in but I don't see these instruments fetching a big price unless they're really ornate and in nearly-original condition.

2) I don't expect to sell it. I bought it as a repair/learning project and because I'm obsessed with old instruments and building/repairing instruments. My 5 year-old has gotten really into the Grisman/Garcia stuff and he's repeatedly expressed an intrest in learning the mandolin. I'm thinking this might become his learning instrument. The light-gauge strings could be perfect for his little hands. I might just put single strings on it while his fingers get stronger.

3) The extent of the finish damage is shown in the picture. It's mostly along the cracks and to the left of the sound hole. I'll have to re-do the French polish on the back, though. The back plate was cracked nearly in half and it took some work to make it look whole again. I'm very happy with how it turned out. It's almost impossible to find the big crack anymore.

4) This mandolinetto was made by the Harwood company in New York in the early 1900s.

I think I'll just leave it as-is for now unless someone comes along here to convince me to refinish it.

Thanks again, fellas.

[billhay4]

I'd put a new pick guard on it.
Bill

[Matt the Mead Maker]

I'd put a new pick guard on it.
Bill

Absolutely. I'm just debating the finish.

[Jim Garber]

Absolutely. I'm just debating the finish.

Skip the refinish. I would possibly use one of these tortoloid sheets for a pickguard. Let's get this baby playable.

[Matt the Mead Maker]

Skip the refinish. I would possibly use one of these tortoloid sheets for a pickguard. Let's get this baby playable.

Agreed. I've already got the tortoloid and I just traced the pick guard pattern during my lunch break.

[Jim Garber]

That was quick!!

[Matt the Mead Maker]

That was quick!!

I'm all business. Actually, I got the tortoloid as an anniversary gift a few weeks ago.

[Jim Garber]

"Nothing keeps on giving like the gift of Tortoloid..."

[allenhopkins]

Multi-year, multi-page, recently updated thread on Harwood instruments.

FYI.

[Jim Garber]

Allen: is Matt's mandolin a Harwood?

As an aside, I am always unsure what the term mandolinetto refers to. More generally, I think we usually call any guitar-shaped mandolin a mandolinetto but I usually like to reserve that for the arched Howe-Orme ones. OTOH I don't believe that any of them (H-0 or others) were called mandolinettos back when they were made.

As a further aside: mandolin is a little mandola and a mandolinetto is a little mandolin? I would almost think that would be a piccolo mandolin. Enough of my rambling!

[brunello97]

Allen: is Matt's mandolin a Harwood?

Good eye, Allen. That little white band on the fretboard could be the Harwood name plate. That has been a tell-tale detail for these.

Matt?

Here's a Harwood for reference, though the pick guard shape (and other details) varies from yours. Not that that matters, Harwoods remind me of Butch Hancock concerts "No two alike."

I've become a little obsessive about Harwoods of late.

Mick

[Matt the Mead Maker]

Good eye, Allen. That little white band on the fretboard could be the Harwood name plate. That has been a tell-tale detail for these.

Matt?

Mick - Yes, it's a Harwood and it's got the circular "Harwood New York" stamp on the back of the head as well as the fretboard marker. It's been really neat to learn about this company over the course of this project. Your mandolinetto is absolutely beautiful. Wow...

My understanding is that all guitar-shaped mandolins are mandolinettos, whether they are arched or flat. I could be wrong though...

[allenhopkins]

Allen: is Matt's mandolin a Harwood?...

So he said in Post #4.

[Jim Garber]

You are right. I should learn how to read.

[Bill Snyder]

There was no such instrument as a mandolinetto when these were built. The name came later.

[David Lewis]

So, this is probably the wrong thread, and I might start a new one, but would my crafter be a mandolinetto? What about my solidbody JBovier?

[Jim Garber]

There was no such instrument as a mandolinetto when these were built. The name came later.

That is what I said...

[brunello97]

Not to be contrary at all, but Sears did call them 'mandolinettos' at least in this 1902 ad. And Howe-Orme called theirs 'mandolins' in this ad. Go figure.

Mick

[allenhopkins]

You are right. I should learn how to read.

You're one of the most helpful and informed contributors to threads like this, and I read your posts thoroughly. Can't even estimate how much info I've picked up from you over the years.

No "put-down" intended in my prior post; if OP hadn't mentioned that it was a Harwood, I'd never have ID'ed it myself.

[Jim Garber]

Thanks, Mick... I stand corrected on that fact.

Thanks, Allen: the feeling is really mutual and I do the same with your threads. No matter how long I do all this, there is still more to learn every day.

[Matt the Mead Maker]

Thanks for all your guidance, fellas. I really do appreciate learning what you all have to share. I've shaped a new pick guard out of the tortoloid. I found the tortoloid very easy to work with - I did about 90% of the material removal with a pair of sharp scissors and did the remaining part of the shaping with 120 grit sand paper.

My final question here - how would you guys attach the pick guard? I've got hide glue and I've got Weld-On #16, which Stew Mac sells for attaching binding. Would either of those options be a good choice? If not, what would you suggest?

[testore]

Nice, I know I'm late to this thread but NEVER NEVER refinish! I love this little thing and it looks great as is, the way it is supposed to look. As for glue....I guess I'd use Weld On. If you can clamp it all at once great, but if not it can be done in sections. I'd probably get a thick piece of plastic as a counter and try to clamp it that way. What does the back look like?