The Og
May-24-2021, 12:10pm
Has anyone heard of a Johnston Mandolin...made in Gun Barrel City, Texas?
allenhopkins
May-24-2021, 12:48pm
Several references to a J V "Old Man" or "Ol' Man" Johnston building instruments in Mabank TX, which is either adjacent or affiliated with Gun Barrel City. Here's a 3-point made in 1985 (https://reverb.com/item/1128225-j-v-johnston-3-point-f-style-mandolin-1985-cremona-brown-shaded-top) on sale on Reverb, and here's a 2016 thread about him. (https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/threads/121495-JV-quot-Ole-Man-quot-Johnston-Mandolinshttps://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/threads/121495-JV-quot-Ole-Man-quot-Johnston-Mandolins)
Doing a quick scan, I gathered that he has/had somewhat of a rep for regraduating the tops of later Gibson mandolins -- worked on one of Tut Taylor's instruments, reputedly. Check out the thread for some critiques of his instruments from Cafe members who've played them, or knew pickers who had.
MikeEdgerton
May-24-2021, 8:29pm
Has that three-pointer been on Reverb al these years???