Shutt?

[delsbrother]

Ever heard of this maker? Could it really be that old? [Edit] Evidently, yes!

Shutt on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2369032824&category=10179)

Somehow I don't think the reserve will be met.. Though I'd love to see the mando-bass-harp-guitar.

[Strado Len]

Looks real. Shutts are pictured and described in Gruhn and Carter's book on acoustic guitars. The Shutt company was the first to include f-holes on mandos (and guitars!). Their instruments were not big sellers, but are considered historically important. I have never played one, so I can't tell you how it sounds. 1913 sounds about right for a date of construction.

[pklima]

Cool... Waldo also put f-holes on mandolins before Gibson (not sure of the exact dates but it may even have been back in the 19th century), but those were possibly even weirder - they were bowlbacks! One passed Ebay earlier this month, I think. Whoever was the first to make f-hole mandos, Waldo was a historically important maker because his ability to evade creditors inspired the "Where's Waldo" cartoons (or so I remember Eugene saying).

Anyway, I think oddball vintage instruments are very cool.

[mrmando]

Well, what do we make of this one, which has many similar features but is not identical? Shutt copy?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....y=10179 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3704200253&category=10179)