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Buy used. You beat the depreciation, and you can judge the tonality better on an instrument that's been around the block a few times.

Consider what sort of music you'll be playing before you...

My A2Z has FON 11991, which is identified in the Spann book as an A2Z in 1923.
Serial number 74940.

I'm a bit surprised to see only 400+ A2Z made; did their construction extend past 1925?

I use the Dogal Calace strings, R92b, on a couple quality bowlbacks as well as a Lyon & Healy A. I like them, they last forever, but for the first month or so they are very "toothy" - rough surfaced,...

The backstory - it was accidentally sat on by Keith Richards, hence the mojo value.

I agree that they are imitations of the Calace mandolins that so influenced Japan's mandolin culture. However, they do not sound like Calace instruments.

Some players feel that Suzuki mandolins...

Oh, I don't know - I don't seem to have a problem with this.




Of course, if you're looking for accuracy, that may be another matter.

The headstock and maybe neck profile look vaguely Roman; Emberghers have a similar headstock, as do some Central European mandolins. The bowl is reminiscent of a higher-end Calace I've seen, but it's...

I've had no experience with Eastman bowlbacks. I would note that American instruments noticeably differ from the Italian instruments of the same period in their sonic qualities, and not infrequently...

The four-post endplate is generally indicative of an older instrument.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-Monteleone-style-Mandolin/293211442374?hash=item4444c38cc6:g:dD0AAOSwTmRdbU8J

For what it's worth, high-end violin cases are often silk-lined, with a silk pad covering the instrument. My understanding is that the silk fabric acts as a buffer; it absorbs/adds moisture to the...

I'm not sure, but the bridge doesn't look original to me, the peghead is not one I've seen before, and IIRC the tailpiece may not be original either. The fretboard is ugly.

If it was my decision...

Saliva, Q-tips and soft cloth. The enzymes in saliva help dissolve the crud, the viscosity keeps it from going where you don't want it. I've used this method on a number of grotty violins with great...

My first impression was Mexican, only because I've had a Mexican Spanish-style guitar with similar deep body. They seem to like boomy soundboxes - like requinto guitars.

Extra light strings are essential. Regular mando strings will destroy a bowlback in short order. GHS A240 are reasonably priced and available from places like JustStrings if you can't fin them...

I've very seldom had to clean a mandolin. A little fretboard oil maybe once a year, wipe in lightly, wipe off with soft cloth or paper towel. The instrument doesn't really get dirty.

On the other...

Looking at my L&H, I don't see how an endpin could be installed without a course of JimG's "reptile dentistry" - there's no room, with the L&H tailpiece.

Congrats on the purchase; IMO these are...

Hot paraffin can be useful for arthritic hands. Basically your hands are coated with (reasonably) hot wax, which remains in place and continues to apply heat to the area; when it cools off, peel it...

Bridge looks huge. Usually it is on the other side of the cant (bend) in the soundboard. Unable to tell if it was placed there due to neck issues. Old rusty tuners and stringplate. A hundred dollars...

Despite the 13/16th fret marker issue, it looks like a real bargain. Decent arch, nice volute, looks like the maker had some inkling of what he was doing. Tuner buttons look a little cheesy, but as...

Your points are spot on.

I would, however, take exception to the statement regarding innovative shapes. There are few instruments that can claim greater variety of shapes than mandolins. In fact,...

Ruling out air conditioning, dehumidifier, and relocation, your choices are rapidly diminishing.

If you have or can obtain a reasonably priced, reasonably airtight case, you could try keeping your...

Air conditioning or dehumidifier. Downside to dehumidifier is that it needs to be emptied of the water it collects, also it heats the area it is located in.

There are dessicants one can use but...

First mando was a new pawnshop Czech bowlback that was overpriced at $29.00. I played it for a year or so, until the cheap brass frets were worn out. It wasn't worth re-fretting, alas.

I went to...