grimpleshins
Dec-25-2013, 3:05pm
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Woke to find this old mandolin sitting under the tree this morning. My wife picked it up at a yard sale for a couple bucks. I'm completely new to mando, and looking for some info. When she brought it in to the music store to find a case, they told her it was most likely a Gibson-era Montgomery Ward from the late 30s/early 40s. After looking around a bit online, I haven't been able to find anything specific, but either way it looks like she got a pretty good deal.
I was wondering if anyone could give me any more info on this model? No mark on the headstock, but inside it has a "Wards" sticker and a stamp (both visible in the second picture). The last four digits of the stamp look like "193X", but I can't quite make out the last digit. I'm assuming the (gaudy as hell) confetti pickguard is an aftermarket addition. Overall, it looks very similar to the instruments in these two forum posts:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?70246-Mandolin-ID-help
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?86775-Pre-1970s-mandolin-looking-for-any-info-possible&highlight=Wards
but neither post was able to supply any interior markings. I wasn't sure if the additional information might help pin down a date.
Any specific info on the age or value? What are the chances it's from the Gibson/Wards partnership period? Mostly just curious about the history. Regardless, it's a great starter instrument in great shape. Looking forward to learning how to play the thing. Thanks!
-Joe
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Woke to find this old mandolin sitting under the tree this morning. My wife picked it up at a yard sale for a couple bucks. I'm completely new to mando, and looking for some info. When she brought it in to the music store to find a case, they told her it was most likely a Gibson-era Montgomery Ward from the late 30s/early 40s. After looking around a bit online, I haven't been able to find anything specific, but either way it looks like she got a pretty good deal.
I was wondering if anyone could give me any more info on this model? No mark on the headstock, but inside it has a "Wards" sticker and a stamp (both visible in the second picture). The last four digits of the stamp look like "193X", but I can't quite make out the last digit. I'm assuming the (gaudy as hell) confetti pickguard is an aftermarket addition. Overall, it looks very similar to the instruments in these two forum posts:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?70246-Mandolin-ID-help
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?86775-Pre-1970s-mandolin-looking-for-any-info-possible&highlight=Wards
but neither post was able to supply any interior markings. I wasn't sure if the additional information might help pin down a date.
Any specific info on the age or value? What are the chances it's from the Gibson/Wards partnership period? Mostly just curious about the history. Regardless, it's a great starter instrument in great shape. Looking forward to learning how to play the thing. Thanks!
-Joe
111553111554111555111556111557111558111559111560