Information on Lyon and Healy style A, scroll

[edurfey]

This was my grandmother's back in the 30's, When the mando groups were popular, she apparently joined one and bought this either new or used, not sure. My father kept this stowed away all these years.
I understand my grandmother never played it much and lost interest early on.
From my novice point of view, it is in very good condition with probably the original strings, and probably never repaired, cleaned or polished. There is some surface rust on the machine shafts and a little around the head plate screws.
Any vintage, information is greatly appreciated.. I might be willing to let it go as I have really not taken it up and seems it needs to be played and cared for by someone who can really appreciate it... Thanks !

[JeffD]

That appears to be a real find. While many can, and will give you the technical particulars, I believe it is important, up front, to let you know, I think it is of enough interest and potential value as to be worth getting a professional appraisal, of both its condition and its value.

One of my favorite mandolin shapes.

[PJ Doland]

Usually those Style A models tend to go for around $4k.

That being said, yours is the cleanest one I've ever seen. I have no idea what somebody might be willing to pay for it.

[Northwest Steve]

Beautiful.........

[OldGus]

Beautiful mandolin, rare and clean example...now back to it's rightful place in the closet...

[billhay4]

A real fine instrument there. Worth a complete going over by a very talented luthier. I'd loosen the strings now. In that condition, it's worth a lot, but it may be worth more played by yourself.
Enjoy.
Bill

[aphillips]

Wow I am drooling.....

[edurfey]

Thanks for the info, I hate to just put it back in the closet but we'll see. I have a Weber Gallatin that is easier for my big fingers and I don't have to worry so much about nicking it about...
I will have someone look at it though, I might let it go like I said, I'm not that big of a family heirloom keeper, would probably rather have someone else keep it next.. passing along the history and music.
I have kept it with loose strings since I have had it for the last 6 years or so and before that is was kept loose for years...

[David Lewis]

I love that headstock. What a beautiful instrument.

[Capt. E]

The Lyon and Healy A is a very highly regarded instrument in classical circles. Yours looks to be in fine condition and if you sell it, expect, as said above, something upwards of $4000. Very wonderful find. Hope someone will be making music with it soon. The engraved tailpiece cover alone is worth $500.

[mrmando]

Port Townsend is crawling with luthiers, and one of the nation's foremost mandolin players/collectors lives there part time now ... I don't know how much of a secret that is supposed to be. He might already be trying to reach you.

Jamie Curtis might help with repair/examination if he's doing that sort of work these days. Here's his Web site: http://www.jamescurtis.com/x/Home.html

Apart from the very nice condition, what's interesting is the "Made Expressly for Ditson" label. Never seen one before. Hubert Pleijsier's book on these instruments has a nice assortment of labels on p. 110 and this label is not included.

We have a few of these in the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra. Not sure if any of our members are currently looking for one, but someone might be.

[mrmando]

P.S. This was made between 1921 (when the asymmetrical shape was introduced) and 1925 (when the Lyon & Healy Style A was renamed the Washburn Style 5280). I'd suspect it's from the latter part of that time period, given the high serial number and the Ditson label. So if Grandma bought it in the 1930s, either it was used or it had sat around a shop or warehouse for a few years.

It turns out that Lyon & Healy (Chicago instrument maker and music publisher) and Charles H. Ditson (New York music retailer) were related: they had the same parent company, Oliver H. Ditson Co. of Boston. G.W. Lyon and Patrick Healy originally went to Chicago to start a branch office for Ditson, and Charles Ditson was Oliver Ditson's eldest son.

Anyone out there have a stack of old Ditson catalogs? Could you tell us what year Ditson started listing these?

[DataNick]

Beautiful instrument, congrats!

[Charles E.]

Wow, what a stellar example. I hope you might rethink your position on getting rid of it and at least give it a tune up and get to know it a bit. After some playing time you might fall in love with it.

[Beanzy]

I know if I ever had the opportunity to own and play that, especially as a family heirloom I'd be selling anything and everything else before I'd let that go. There's so much pleasure to be had from that mandolin there.
You say you're coming at it from a 'novice point of view', playing a mandolin like that would inspire the pursuit of excellence.
Rather than think of selling it, why not follow the path that ownership could lead you?
You could use it to hone your skills and pursue styles and situations which would never have been apparent before.
If I owned it in those circumstances I'd be posting a thread asking for ideas as to where musically I should go and explore with this wonderful instrument.

Enjoy it, at least for a few years.

[peter.coombe]

Wow, that is one of the best examples I have seen. I wish I had it!

[Bill Snyder]

You said you have a Weber Gallatin that fits you better then sell this one if you wish and don't feel bad about it. If sold it will probably get some playing time.

[edurfey]

It's great to get all this info in such a short time, thanks! It's possible my grandma did buy it new earlier on but no one knows for sure.
I do know James in Port Townsend and he has looked at it. Looks like it could use a little clean up and machine tune up but otherwise is very clean.
I am a novice musician and started late (almost 60) and my clumsy fingers just don't seem to be learning new tricks very well so it's possible that both mandos will be sold. It would be great to have the L & H go to someone who would play rather than a static collection. I will be out of town next week until the end of September but will try to watch this thread...

[mrmando]

Did James say anything about the setup, neck angle, playability, action, etc.?

I'd love to come see it but I doubt I'll be able to get to PT before you leave town.

[edurfey]

Can't remember what James said, it was years ago... I'll have to have him look at it again.
It will not be going anywhere before I leave.

[JeffD]

I have one, and the sound is really wonderful.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?albumid=10&attachmentid=79165

With the Washburn label it would be 1925 or later. I have mine strung with Thomastik 154 mediums. They change the sound a bit, but in the case of the L&H, to my ear, they really bring out some beautiful tone. Very un-Gibson sound.

It is a better mandolin than I will ever ever need.