On Reverb: 1920s Leland Brilliantone (Larson Bros.) mandocello

[Greg Stec]

The top IMHO looks good, the back has an 'issue," but it's almost 100 years old.
https://reverb.com/item/6776217-1920...ilian-rosewood

[Gary Leonard]

I have walked down the street and played this numerous times.

At the moment, it is tuned a full step down from GDAE, so it is more like an octave mandolin. I was told that the owner would capo it and play it as GDAE. Owner has stated that it can easily be strung as mandocello, with some nut work.

I like it, and it does sound nice. But I couldn't justify buying what would essentially be an over sized octave. Still tempted though..

[brunello97]

Thanks for posting this. I've only ever seen the side view of the Leland mandocello from the iconic photo reproduced in Keef Pleisjier's book on Washburn instruments and Bob Hartman's book on the Larsons. Surprised, actually, to see a round sound hole.

I own numerous "Leland" mandolins and enjoy their playability and especially their rich and balanced tone. Carlo Aonzo once (jokingly, I think) offered to swap me his Pandini for one.

I've long been skeptical of the Larson attribution for the Leland mandolins, which seem to me in many details (headstock, rear neck / headstock joint / bridge - top cant location, serial number system and location) to be Vega products. I feel the same way about this but don't want to start a ruckus.

I've been the codgery Larson Doubting Thomas around here too long. Looks like a muy cooliso instrument whoever made it. Wish I was closer to give it a spin. That is one big slab of rosewood.

Mick

[Gary Leonard]

I think the owner, or certainly a previous owner, has posted pictures of this mandocello on the forums. jdsobol. You can do a search for Leland Brilliantone and find several where he explains how he tuned this one up.

[barney 59]

I can't see anything that would make me think that this is a Larson build. Everyone wants their old stuff to be Larson.

[Bernie Daniel]

No financial interest on my part but the price seems reasonable to me? Those do not look like mandocello strings on it now and would worry about it holding up to the tension required for CGDA with a set of J78s on it? An octave mandolin with a 24.75" scale is not something I would want.