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Thread: 1932 F5 copy

  1. #26
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    The seller said he had second thoughts and decided to keep it for now.

  2. #27
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    Quote Originally Posted by William Smith View Post
    The seller said he had second thoughts and decided to keep it for now.
    Yes he did have 2nd thoughts and pulled the ad because he came to realize that the mandolin was something special.
    I can't remember how I got his contact info but several months later I contacted him and we had a couple of phone conversations.
    Good guy just wanting and needing to get a better price.
    He isn't a wheeler dealer, just a guy who is trying to find a way to get himself an upgrade in a modern mandolin.
    So,,,, I ended up buying it.
    This mando is so cool that I can hardly believe it!
    I have no doubt that it is what is says it is. 1932.
    It has so much mojo going for it.
    Completely playable. Could use a bit of a setup but not bad as it is.
    Regarding the comment about it possibly being a copy of a 1970s Gibson based on the volute I can assure you that this mando is way older than that.
    The volute and the violin type finish on it point towards a violin maker as the builder.
    The case is the heaviest case that you could imagine.
    You wouldn't want to have to lug it too far.
    Very nice vintage case though,,,, professionally done.
    I am just tickled to have been able to acquire this baby.

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  4. #28
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    Good Score! I like the mando and case! NICE!

  5. #29
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    Quote Originally Posted by atetone View Post
    Yes he did have 2nd thoughts and pulled the ad because he came to realize that the mandolin was something special.
    I can't remember how I got his contact info but several months later I contacted him and we had a couple of phone conversations.
    Good guy just wanting and needing to get a better price.
    He isn't a wheeler dealer, just a guy who is trying to find a way to get himself an upgrade in a modern mandolin.
    So,,,, I ended up buying it.
    This mando is so cool that I can hardly believe it!
    I have no doubt that it is what is says it is. 1932.
    It has so much mojo going for it.
    Completely playable. Could use a bit of a setup but not bad as it is.
    Regarding the comment about it possibly being a copy of a 1970s Gibson based on the volute I can assure you that this mando is way older than that.
    The volute and the violin type finish on it point towards a violin maker as the builder.
    The case is the heaviest case that you could imagine.
    You wouldn't want to have to lug it too far.
    Very nice vintage case though,,,, professionally done.
    I am just tickled to have been able to acquire this baby.
    If you don't get around to this ole gal PM and I'll get her up and running as I LOVE oddballs, I have the 34 Joe Wilson that's getting restored/modernized and would do the same to this ole gal! I see the potential in her and would love to make this thing playable to the best it can be as I have a soft spot for the oddities! If you happen to decide to let her go PM me and we'll come up with something! I love the strange and oldies needing help! Heck the case is just as intriguing! Thanks, Will

  6. #30
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    It takes an oddity to know an oddity and I love oddities too Will.

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  8. #31
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    It is hard to explain the colouration and finish on this mandolin.
    Definately hand stained. It has a mottled appearance that is hard to explain or take a picture of.
    The final finish is definately some sort of a violin varnish but I am no expert on that.
    I am guessing that it is hand applied.
    Maple back, sides and neck.
    I am guessing that the neck speed necking is original in the violin style.
    Newer replacement tuners but the original (I think) are in the case.
    Newer bridge. Maybe Cumberland.
    The gentleman that I bought it from had taken it to a luthier that he knew to update the hardware and set it up.
    Thankfully they did not mess with the finish or the nicely naturally distressed bindings.
    They might have replaced the frets because they look newer.
    I will have to investigate that a little bit but with the natural distressing of the mandolin I can't imagine that the original frets could have survived.
    The case is a real professional job. This wasn't a DIY project. Top notch work. The "uphostery" inside the case is impressive in the workmanship and the condition is really good. It even has slits for holding picks.
    The outside of the case is a little rough in places but solid as a rock.
    I was tempted to stand on it but I came to my senses.
    It is probably not quite that strong Lol
    I have no doubt that both the mandolin and case are very old so I do believe that the date of 1932 written inside is accurate.
    Tone bar braced.
    A real gem.

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  10. #32
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    I am going to attempt to upload some pictures. We will see how that goes, lolClick image for larger version. 

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  11. #33
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    Click image for larger version. 

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  12. #34
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    Click image for larger version. 

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  13. #35
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I was hoping for a better resolutionon on these pics,,,,, back to the drawing board.
    If you click on them to enlarge then the pics are a bit better.

  14. #36
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    The more I look at it the more normal it is, finish and construction was well done! It just needs a pickguard

    Can you show us a good photo of the original tuners?

  15. #37
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    Oops ,,, these are the replacement tuners,,, stay tunedATTACH=CONFIG]181584[/ATTACH]Click image for larger version. 

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    Last edited by atetone; Dec-01-2019 at 2:16pm.

  16. #38
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    Let's try this
    I am having trouble with uploading pictures because I have a new computer and haven't figured it out yetClick image for larger version. 

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  17. #39
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    I didn't even look at them till now but they are not F style tuners at all.
    I just looked at the peg head and for sure the old imprint confirms that these were indeed mounted.
    Must have been tight.

  18. #40

    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    I've always associated the tuners with "pressed on" gears, commonly called "riveted" as WWII era. Does anyone have more specific dating info on those tuners? If original, it would bring the 1932 date into question......

  19. #41
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    Well the mystery continues.
    These tuners that appeared to be the originals are not right.
    The base plates perfectly match old imprints on the back of the headstock but it wouldn't be possible to turn the 2 top tuners without hitting the peghead.
    The other thing is that once I removed the posts from the old tuners the holes in the plates appear to have been elongated .
    The imprint on the back is perfect though so it doesn't make any sense.
    Maybe originally it had a proper set of F type tuners and someone tried to make these fit which left the perfect imprint.
    I am pretty sure that the gentleman that I bought it from had the new tuners installed when his luthier friend gave it a setup.
    So,,,, it looks like these were Not the original tuners.

    The only other scenario is that it had F style tuners that wore out but had the same baseplate pattern as these A style tuners.
    I dunno.

  20. #42
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1932 F5 copy

    Well my 34 Joe Wilson F-5ish mandolin had original tuners on it and I believe they were old A style as well? I don't have it here to check to be sure but I'm 99% positive they were A tuners on that one and it has an F style peg head-maybe in the old thread here on the forum there is a photo of them so its possible that those A tuners on this 32 are correct? Although they look like later 30's early 40's Kluson with the black plastic buttons?

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