Claude Watson "the Emmanuel" at Elderly

[multidon]

I constantly check to see what's new at a Elderly, and saw this yesterday. Anyone else check it out? Built in 1968. Looks like a lump scroll but with a faux scroll carved in relief into the lump front and back. Nice one piece maple wood on the back. Looks like a rosewood pickguard, badly installed. And unless it's an optical illusion it looks like the f holes are asymmetrical, the treble side higher than the bass. For 500 dollars I guess most would dismiss it as folk art, but wondered if anyone else had heard of this builder and curious if it might even be a good player in spite of its looks.

[allenhopkins]

Here's (http://elderly.com/vintage/items/90U-6718.htm) the link. Reasonable price, unknown maker, idiosyncratic design, "needs fret work." Work-person-ship looks pretty clean, though Don may be right about the f-holes.

An interview with Claude Watson (https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/claude-watson) from the NAMM website.

[Jim Garber]

Interesting... sort of a violin-look to it as well. Precursor to the Campanella. Anyone get a chance to play it. It does look a little lopsided.

For your convenience:

129975 129976

[Jim Garber]

Here is a prior discussion (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?77179-Claude-Watson-Mandolin-The-Emmanuel-1958) on the same maker and some pics of a member's mandolin that is 10 years older than this one (tho the owner is not sure if it maybe says 1968!) and fancier. Looks like both Allen and I were in on that thread.

[Timbofood]

Doesn't particularly snap my cap but, I hope it does for someone else.

[multidon]

Does that crack by the tailpiece look repaired, do you think? Or open?