Mystery bowlback mandolin - circa 1900, made in Germany?

[maky78]

No idea where exactly this mandolin came from, only that it is a family artifact from around 1900 – maybe even before? No idea. There isn’t any writing on it except for one small word, which my feeble eyes make out to stay Germany. No writing inside, or outside anywhere else that would show what brand it is.

Anyone have any idea? Furthermore, how bad shape does it look it? The strings are probably about 50 years old, and the tuning heads don’t seem to move very easily, I can’t get it in tune without forcing it and I’m too scared it will break to force it. So, at the moment, it is unplayable. If I could get the tuning heads to crank more easily, I think it would be okay. That seems to be the biggest issue at the moment. My biggest concern though, is that the instrument itself is too fragile, and that changing the strings would maybe even cause so much tension that the neck would be damaged. What strings are notoriously low tension? Would the neck be able to handle it if I took off all the strings (or at least half a time) to fix the tuners? If this isn’t the right place to ask all that, where could I go?

In the end, is it even usable or worth it to fix up? It isn’t completely visually pretty and I don't really care what it looks like, but if I could get it to just get in tune, that would be enough for me.

Full view front:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/maky78/IMG_1326.jpg

Full view back:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/maky78/IMG_1327.jpg

This is where it says Germany:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/maky78/IMG_1337.jpg

Bridge
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/maky78/IMG_1332.jpg

Soundboard/scratchplate
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/maky78/IMG_1333.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/maky78/IMG_1335.jpg

Neck and Head
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/maky78/IMG_1329.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/maky78/IMG_1331.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/maky78/IMG_1336.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/maky78/IMG_1330.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/maky78/IMG_1328.jpg

[Ray(T)]

Safe bet that its probably German! The cut out head for the tuners seems to be a European thing. There are many others that will be able to give you more accurate info but my guess would be that its from the 1920's or 30's. Unfortunately, it doesn't look to be a particularly expensive model and that will be reflected in its current value. It looks to me as if someone has taken a pot of varnish to it at some time in the past which could have further devalued it. Many of the european mandolins had no finish on the top originally.

As for the tuners, a half decent set of replacements would make a world of difference - if you can find anything to fit - and that's a big IF! You shouldn't do any damage taking the strings off and need to replace them with the lightest you can find. Stripping down the tuners and lubricating them may make them useable but I suspect not.

Only after an in-hand inspection by an experienced person will anyone be able to tell you whether the instrument is in a solid enough condition to make playable again. My guess would be that its value lies in whatever sentiments it holds for you and the family. Its likely that any repairs necessary to put it in a playable condition would outstrip the commercial value of the instrument.

[Jim Garber]

Ray is pretty much on the money which his assessment. The tailpiece I have seen on other german instruments, sometime with the brand Marcello or Marcellus (I can't quite recall).

[allenhopkins]

...The tailpiece I have seen on other german instruments, sometime with the brand Marcello or Marcellus (I can't quite recall).

Marcelli. I have a German-made Holdrio "pocket" mandolin with a Marcelli-marked tailpiece.