I played a circa 1900 Stridente mandolin on the weekend.

[zedmando]

It was cool--I don't know how well it matched up with other Stridentes or other bowl back mandolins, as I am not an expert, but it sounded good to me--it played well also.
It was priced at $450 (Canadian $)

Wish I'd been able to get a picture to share with you.
I also played a tricone reso mandolin--which I may be able to post a picture of.


If I had a spare $450 i would have been tempting, but I would also have done some research.

[Jim Garber]

If it was in good shape, that price is reasonable. For US-ers it is about $338USD. Stridentes are good serviceable Italian-made bowlbacks. Was it in a shop?

[allenhopkins]

...I also played a tricone reso mandolin--which I may be able to post a picture of...

Was it an original National tri-cone, and if so, what was the listed price?

[Jim Garber]

Was it an original National tri-cone, and if so, what was the listed price?

Allen: correct me if I am wrong but I don't think National ever made a tri-cone mandolin. I think all mandolins and ukuleles were single cones.

No, I correct myself... they did make it in the very early days. Those early tricone mandolins and ukuleles must be very rare.

[zedmando]

If it was in good shape, that price is reasonable. For US-ers it is about $338USD. Stridentes are good serviceable Italian-made bowlbacks. Was it in a shop?

yes it was in a shop--I have no affiliation with the place--but they had some cool old stuff.

[zedmando]

Different store-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/cflstampman/random%20and%20or%20funny/forum%20stuff/IMG_1150.jpg

[allenhopkins]

... they did make it in the very early days. Those early tricone mandolins and ukuleles must be very rare.

On p. 58 of Brozman's book, there are pics of a 1928 Style 2 National tri-cone mandolin. Brozman says they were only made in early '28; "the internal tricone set-up was replaced by the simpler single cone by late 1928, around serial #160. Mandolin serial number series begins at #100."

So, maybe sixty ever made, which is why I jumped on zedmando's mention of one in Canada. Unfortunately, from his pic (Post #6), looks like a Johnson/Republic or similar Asian-made mandolin -- single cone, nickel-plated brass body, Pearloid headstock overlay.

[zedmando]

It was three cones-(or they did a good job at making it look like three--I almost always look inside resos as best I can.)-but I forget the brand name--and it's not clear in the picture--but no--it was't a National.