Tut Taylor mandolin info

[limerock]

I just picked up an A model mandolin from a guy in Nashville who is the son of the original owner. He said the mandolin was built for his father by Tut in the mid 70's. His father and Tut were supposedly friends. There are no markings inside. There is nothing in the peghead the kicker for me is that this is a quality instrument there is a repair sticker inside the mandolin where J.V. (Oldman) Johnston in Texas "voiced" the tone chamber in 1982. Is there a go to person knowledgable of Tuts work that can help me verify this thing? Thanks

[Trey Young]

I would think George Gruhn (Gruhn Guitars in Nashville) would be a good source.

[Spruce]

...or Tut...

[limerock]

...or Tut...

I don't know how or if he is able these days. That would be great though

[limerock]

119557119558

[limerock]

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Here it is

[Mickey King]

Gruhn's would be a great start! I saw it on Craigslist and wondered about myself!

[limerock]

Well it has a great sound after a bit of set up and strings. Dropped slots on the nut. Really good and has opened up a great deal today

[allenhopkins]

Is this from the "GTR period" when Taylor was partnering with George Gruhn and Randy Wood? The Blue Book only mentions imported Japanese mandolins that Gruhn sold after Taylor and Wood left GTR.

Doubt if anyone would no more on the subject than Gruhn -- except perhaps Taylor himself.

[limerock]

For sure not GTR Tut built on and on after that partnership dissolved but all I have to go on is what the owner told me.

[Timbofood]

Could this fall in those "early days of yesteryear" when, I believe, Tut was selling a brand under the name of "Tennesee" instruments? I may be wrong but, I remember some of these in the mid to late '70's. There were a series of mandolins and banjos and I think even a resonator guitar model. I don't remember them lasting very long but, again, I could be mistaken.
The A-5 style mandolin that was at my store was pretty nice, had potential in my minds eye.

[Phil Goodson]

Here's a link to some info re the history of Tut's building along with his son Mark. (http://www.dreamguitars.com/builder/246-crafters-of-tennessee/)

Might be worth contacting Mark.

[limerock]

Thanks planning on contacting Tut and or Mark. The mandolin really is good great chop and plays easily

[Charley wild]

I visited Tut in '74 and 76' when he had the shop on Arlington in Nashville. They were making mandolins on both visits. Every one I saw looked exactly like the one in the OP's photo and had no logo or name on the peg head. They were making open back banjos also. I bought one and had it for years and finally sold it. I think Mark was making them. I have some photos I'll post if I can ever find them.????

[limerock]

Would love to see those photos. Sending mandolin to Lynn D for a new nut and setup this thing must have been in the case under the bed for years. It has really opened up. The bridge saddle is sagging a bit so I might add a new one also. D

[fernmando]

Looks JUST like a Mark Taylor "Tennessee", minus the harp/angel on the peghead. heavy and obvious Bob Givens influence here. Probably a very good mando.

[Victor Daniel]

The shape and lines look a lot like Bob Givens work. I know he built with Tut at some point.

[mandocaster]

The shape and lines look a lot like Bob Givens work. I know he built with Tut at some point.

I noticed that, too.

[Wayne Babchuk]

This mandolin was made in the mid 1970sand sold through the dobro player's store, Tut Taylor and is a Tennessee mandolin. The mandolins were built by Tut's son, Mark Taylor, and sometimes by Bob Givens. This mandolin is a Givens made mandolin and probably sounds great! I have owned several of these in my life. WB