John Hasbrouck
Apr-13-2015, 4:55pm
In the mid-1950s when my father was dating my mother, he bought her a beat-up old bowl back mandolin at a junk shop for her amusement. She did not play, and the instrument sat atop the family's upright piano, totally ignored, for my entire childhood. A few years ago, when I became obsessed with mandolin, they gave it to me. It was completely covered in dust and dirt, the neck was barely attached, the ribs had come unglued, the top was warped, and the rosette was a disaster. I noticed a Washburn label.
I figured it was destined to be a wall-hanger, but then I showed it to my old friend Todd Cambio, master luthier and owner of Fraulini Guitars. He said, "No problem."
He had it for about 6 months, and last Thursday he brought it over. Now restored and converted to left-handed for yours truly, it looks, sounds, and plays absolutely great. And just in time for mom's birthday in 10 days. (No, she doesn't get to keep it, unless of course she learns to play left-handed mandolin!)
Our best guess is that it is a Model 73, built circa 1892, and sold for $45-50. I wish I had some 'before' pics, but here are the 'after' pics..
132894132895
Of particular interest is the incredible tailpiece, about which I am frankly speechless. Here are 2 detail shots. I'll let you be the judge...
132896132897
I figured it was destined to be a wall-hanger, but then I showed it to my old friend Todd Cambio, master luthier and owner of Fraulini Guitars. He said, "No problem."
He had it for about 6 months, and last Thursday he brought it over. Now restored and converted to left-handed for yours truly, it looks, sounds, and plays absolutely great. And just in time for mom's birthday in 10 days. (No, she doesn't get to keep it, unless of course she learns to play left-handed mandolin!)
Our best guess is that it is a Model 73, built circa 1892, and sold for $45-50. I wish I had some 'before' pics, but here are the 'after' pics..
132894132895
Of particular interest is the incredible tailpiece, about which I am frankly speechless. Here are 2 detail shots. I'll let you be the judge...
132896132897