Identify this mandolin

**carrasaurus** · Aug-06-2012, 4:14pm

Driving through Floyd VA I came across an old gent selling instruments in his front yard. I bought this mandolin for $95. He was only able to tell me he acquired from some open jam some years back but knows nothing about it.

There are no identifying marks on it. There are some spots where it looks like wood putty was used. Cant tell if it was refinished or manufactured like that. It is shiny and clean on the neck and body, but fretboard definitely shows a bit of age.

Looking through the cutouts, the woodgrain on the inside matches the woodgrain on the back, so I can tell it is a solid slice of wood that makes up the rear part of the body. The thing hums loud and sounds clean and bueatiful. Very comfortable to play.

I'm brand new on mandolin but have played bass guitar for 20 years, so I can tell a decent instrument from a beginner entry level. I'm inclined to say that this is not an entry level mandolin.

The pics are a bit fuzzy, but if anyone can identify it I'd be appreciative. Thx.

**Chip Booth** · Aug-06-2012, 4:23pm

It looks like an entry level instrument to me. The Ping tuners, plastic pickguard, generic bridge and tailpiece all point that way. The snakehead headstock looks nicer than usual though. The mahogany neck is a little unusual for an F hole mandolin. What is the back made of? If it plays well and sounds good to you then $95 is just fine.

**carrasaurus** · Aug-06-2012, 4:41pm

I couldnt tell you what kind of wood it is... Here are more pics. I wonder if it was built from spare parts. The old gent did tell me his old bandmate used to make custom instruments, though he didnt say this mandolin was from him. He was an older fella and probably has seen many instruments pass through his hands over his life.

**Pete Summers** · Aug-06-2012, 4:50pm

Play it, enjoy it. 95 bucks is pretty low for any mandolin. When you get good enough that this mandolin doesn't do what you want it to, it will be time to upgrade.