I have a SS Steward Mandolin that I have had for several years. It is in good shape. Can anyone tell me what the value is and if there is a market for it.
SS Steward Mandolin
I have a SS Steward Mandolin that I have had for several years. It is in good shape. Can anyone tell me what the value is and if there is a market for it.
Re: SS Steward Mandolin
It has a SS Steward label on the inside and a nickel plate on the head stock with the SS Steward engravings.
Re: SS Steward Mandolin
Pictures are always good.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
Re: SS Steward Mandolin
Re: SS Steward Mandolin
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Re: SS Steward Mandolin
Re: SS Steward Mandolin
Very nice! It's most likely a model 600 from the 1920s. It was built by Regal for Buegeleisen & Jacobson, distributors from NYC who owned the S. S. Stewart name at the time. If I have the ID correct, it sold for $20 in 1927; that made it a fairly affordable but not super-cheap instrument at the time.
I'd put the value around $400, assuming it's playable and there are no hidden issues.
www.OldFrets.com: the obscure side of vintage instruments.
Re: SS Steward Mandolin
It appears that you have a mandolin built out of Koa. One recently sold for $225.00 on Reverb. There are mentions of these instruments in past Cafe threads. It looks decent.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
Re: SS Steward Mandolin
The catalog describes it as "flamed mahogany", which is consistent with the grain structure.
www.OldFrets.com: the obscure side of vintage instruments.
Re: SS Steward Mandolin
I actually think it's Koa. There was a bit of a Koa craze going on at the time. Martin was heavily into it. There have been a few mentions here in the past.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C....0.uafKNh4v7pA
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
Re: SS Steward Mandolin
The grain structure doesn't look like koa. There are no dark streaks, the pores are straighter and lighter in color. While some Stewart mandolins do look like koa, this one definitely is not.
www.OldFrets.com: the obscure side of vintage instruments.
Re: SS Steward Mandolin
I'd think $400 might be a little high...
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Re: SS Steward Mandolin
Koa. When you see really, really pretty mahogany that has a glow about it, it's actually Koa.....at least that's how I have it in my mind. Looks very nice. I'd say about $250-300 with the case.
Re: SS Steward Mandolin
<Removed by Moderator. Please limit commerce to the classifieds>
Last edited by MikeEdgerton; Sep-13-2017 at 1:53pm.
Re: SS Steward Mandolin
You might try an ad in the Classified section. Good luck!Originally Posted by jmpratt51
Last edited by MikeEdgerton; Sep-13-2017 at 1:53pm.
Re: SS Steward Mandolin
It's clearly figured mahogany, as advertised. Definitely not koa.
My 3¢. As you know, 2¢ gets you nothing these days.
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