Gregory Tidwell
Nov-11-2012, 8:05pm
Hi all,
I picked up an old Howe-Orme today in Sacramento. At least, that's what I think I is. I got it for $100, and if my memory serves me, I think I got it for a pretty good price. Unfortunately I have no idea how to value this particular mandolin. Here are some photos:
94108941099411094111
94112941139411494115
The only issues that I can see are the binding piece that is missing and the replacement tuners. It also needs a fret dressing and stinks like cigarette smoke. I've put some of those little moisture absorbers that come in prescription bottles, but I doubt that will help. Anyone know how I can de-stink this thing?
Also, there is no label inside the instrument, but along the inside just below the sound hole is stamped "American Conservatory" with an oval ring around it. That stamp is over some other writing. The only thing I can make out is "Feb 6 U.S." and something "Music Co." and a P.O. Box that I cannot make out. Handwritten just above that under the treble strings is a handwritten number, "460156". In front of the "4" there may be another stamp that says "25" or "22", but its really faint and Im not sure its not just a smudge of something. The scale length is just a skosh under 13" (I think. I'm not entirely sure how to measure scale length, but if I put the start of the tape measure in the middle of the nut, the bridge is about 13" away).
I was hoping someone could tell me about the instrument, like what it is, what it's value is in current condition, and what kind of strings I should use to string it up. I want to have it worked on, maybe brought into good condition, but I don't want to sink money into it if its not worth it. And in case it matters, this is going into the herd, and is not for resale.
I picked up an old Howe-Orme today in Sacramento. At least, that's what I think I is. I got it for $100, and if my memory serves me, I think I got it for a pretty good price. Unfortunately I have no idea how to value this particular mandolin. Here are some photos:
94108941099411094111
94112941139411494115
The only issues that I can see are the binding piece that is missing and the replacement tuners. It also needs a fret dressing and stinks like cigarette smoke. I've put some of those little moisture absorbers that come in prescription bottles, but I doubt that will help. Anyone know how I can de-stink this thing?
Also, there is no label inside the instrument, but along the inside just below the sound hole is stamped "American Conservatory" with an oval ring around it. That stamp is over some other writing. The only thing I can make out is "Feb 6 U.S." and something "Music Co." and a P.O. Box that I cannot make out. Handwritten just above that under the treble strings is a handwritten number, "460156". In front of the "4" there may be another stamp that says "25" or "22", but its really faint and Im not sure its not just a smudge of something. The scale length is just a skosh under 13" (I think. I'm not entirely sure how to measure scale length, but if I put the start of the tape measure in the middle of the nut, the bridge is about 13" away).
I was hoping someone could tell me about the instrument, like what it is, what it's value is in current condition, and what kind of strings I should use to string it up. I want to have it worked on, maybe brought into good condition, but I don't want to sink money into it if its not worth it. And in case it matters, this is going into the herd, and is not for resale.