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Thread: Any information appreciated

  1. #1

    Default Any information appreciated

    Greetings all. Veteran guitarist but mandolin newbie here. I received an antique bowlback mandolin for Christmas. I know it’s not a collector piece but it is pretty darn nice. It’s a Criterion by C.A. Potter of Cleveland. There doesn’t appear to be much info out there on these. It’s in stellar shape. It came with the original case and some ancient strings. I don’t see any way to load pictures here or I would do so. Anyone know where I can get more info on the maker?

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  3. #2
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    Default Re: Any information appreciated

    Welcome to the Cafe. I can't tell you about the maker, but use only very light strings on this mandolin. If you look in the bar above where you type your message, like I am doing now, there are symbols. The third from the right will insert an image from your computer.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  4. #3
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any information appreciated

    C.A. Potter is listed in the Mugwumps encyclopedia as being active around 1900. Are you any relation to Ronald Shelby?

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...terion-madolin
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    mando-evangelist August Watters's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any information appreciated

    Photos please! There's an "insert image" button above, third from the right.
    Exploring Classical Mandolin (Berklee Press, 2015)
    Progressive Melodies for Mandocello (KDP, 2019) (2nd ed. 2022)
    New Solos for Classical Mandolin (Hal Leonard Press, 2020)
    2021 guest artist, mandocello: Classical Mandolin Society of America

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    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any information appreciated

    Here's a Potter Criterion rosewood parlor guitar at 12th Fret in Toronto for $2.5K Canadian. They date it to around 1905. At least one other Criterion guitar mentioned here.

    Seems like a quality builder, in terms of materials and construction standards. Pix will definitely help.
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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any information appreciated

    Just to manage your expectations, don't expect the mandolin to be worth anything near what they are asking for the guitar.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  8. #7

    Default Re: Any information appreciated

    Thanks. I figured the lightest gauge I can find would be best. As little tension as possible.

    - - - Updated - - -

    I saw that. No. It’s a reference to cars I used to have.

  9. #8

    Default Re: Any information appreciated

    Are newbies barred from posting pics for a while? I only have the magnifying glass and the squares. No third from The right.

  10. #9
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any information appreciated

    You can post. What browser are you on and what operating system?

    Better yet, take a look at this tutorial:

    https://vimeo.com/33795824
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  11. #10
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any information appreciated

    Quote Originally Posted by 2shelbys View Post
    ...I saw that. No. It’s a reference to cars I used to have.
    I assumed that when I saw your registration but then when I found the other I thought I might be wrong.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  12. #11
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any information appreciated

    Quote Originally Posted by 2shelbys View Post
    Are newbies barred from posting pics for a while? I only have the magnifying glass and the squares. No third from The right.
    Are you using the Mobile phone browser? If so, go to Desktop mode (listed as "full site" at the bottom) and you can post pics straight from your phone.

    Congrats on your new mandolin!
    Last edited by Zach Wilson; Jan-04-2018 at 11:38am. Reason: More info

  13. #12
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any information appreciated

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    You will find as much info on the brand on the link that Mike listed as anywhere. From the handful of sample jpegs in my files I would say that C. A. Potter jobbed out their mandolins to other manufacturers. Most of the ones I have pics for look like they were made by Lyon & Healy, the large Chicago maker. There are photos of that one on that thread.

    There is a low-end Criterion mandolin in fair condition on eBay right now. This one definitely looks like a Lyon & Healy product.

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    Jim

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  15. #13

    Default Re: Any information appreciated

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    Here it is. I was on the mobile. Posted these from the laptop.

  16. #14
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any information appreciated

    It looks like it is in good shape. I find that those bowlbacks that still have their original cases make it through all right. My guess is still that it was made by Lyon & Healy. A decent mid-grade mandolin. I am not sure about the neck angle but if that is optimum then it could be a good player.

    Good inexpensive strings are GHS A-240 ultra-light available from juststrings.com. If you want to splurge I like Dogal Calace RW92b Dolce strings available from Bernunzio.
    Jim

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  17. #15
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any information appreciated

    Pretty nice looking bowl, I think. I agree with Don Diego that this is likely L+H. It has a more than a few nice touches, including a pretty graceful turn to the headstock profile. Nice trimwork and scratchplate.

    My hunch is that this is using the "two staves = one" j-a trickery that L+H deployed to make it seem like there were more staves than actually there. Even so, the bowl has a very nice contour as well. The "rosewood" fretboard is the one MOR detail, but I'll bet this will play nicely.

    Since this came from Santa, why not splurge on the Calace strings? You won't regret it.

    Mick
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