Bowlback restoration

[Jake Wildwood]

Well, I just finished restoring and setting up an old bowlback for our store so I figured I'd take a few shots to share! She's a really nice player... lower than 1/8" at the 12th, nice and comfortable neck, light as a feather, intones nicely, and sounds great! Very springy tone.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2461802471_4c5a0c2500_o.jpg

Really took some work to get the finish cleaned up and looking nice. Plenty of age in that wood! But no cracks!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/2461802523_9f775d4e5b_o.jpg

[Jake Wildwood]

Had to fit a new bridge to it because in its previous life the owner had filed it down to an unbearable height... of uselessness.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/2462634632_e59b951cbc_o.jpg

Got the tailpiece shining nicely.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2323/2462634676_d0b5d782df_o.jpg

Newly filed & polished frets.

[Jake Wildwood]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2462634734_bfd8651cc4_o.jpg

Tuners are back in order.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/2461802643_da9092f8c6_o.jpg

And oiled and ready to go after a century's freeze-up!

[Jake Wildwood]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2461802677_bdc0b0cf0d_o.jpg

Took quite a bit of spit and polish to get that shine back.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/2461802739_d4b7c38066_o.jpg

And there's the nice walnut & rosewood!

[Jake Wildwood]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2082/2462634842_32e7dbbeb6_o.jpg

And again!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2462634906_f8d3d32b27_o.jpg

And how about the straight neck?

[Jake Wildwood]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2174/2461802793_477eec0ffe_o.jpg

Pictures are deceiving. This is under 1/8" at the 12th.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/2461802851_7624d7c294_o.jpg

And there's that smiling face!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2409/2461809919_918dcc7182_o.jpg

And here she was before!

[Jake Wildwood]

I'd just like to note that whoever had played with the bone nut was... nuts! They raised it by building what looked like layers of glue and bits of particles. It's now resting on a nicely shaped wedge of mahogany... and doing its job. The fretboard inlay is also bone, and I'd be curious if anyone knew the manufacturer?

My guess is it was an Oscar Schmidt-built for a Sears catalog? Maybe. No labels, of course!

[JEStanek]

You did a great job. It's heartening to see old bowls resurrected again.

Jamie

[Jake Wildwood]

Danke!

[Jim Garber]

Jake you did a nice job. Are you sick of restoring bowlbacks? Otherwise...I may have some work for you.

You may be right about the Sears catalog. It does resemble some in my reprint from 1902. Not so sure about the Oscar Schmidt tho that is a possibility as well. Since Sears Roebuck was in Chicago I would think one of the Chicago makers might be a good bet.

I checked out your site. Interesting store. (http://www.thewildwoodflower.com)

Antiques and other stuff... even instruments...

http://www.thewildwoodflower.com/images/photos03.jpg

[Jake Wildwood]

Thanks!

Not sick of bowls at all... it's the first one so far -- I'm generally fixing up flat-backs. That mandolin was, however, refreshing compared to a parlor guitar or banjo!

And my, that rack looks familiar... though the lineup seems to have changed...! I'm working on getting our inventory up online, so the page may be a little bit sunnier and more fun in the next few days. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif