Age and information

[ellieandgracie]

I brought a vintage bowl back mandolin very recently, could anyone tell me the age and any information about it's history please.

Many thanks,

Jennifer

[MikeEdgerton]

It might not be as old as you might think. One of the resident international bowlheads will ID it. It wasn't made in the US.

[ellieandgracie]

Thanks for your reply Mike. I now believe it to be Czechoslovakian. As I am learning to play the mandolin I am keen to know a little about the instrument.

[MikeEdgerton]

I would have expected eastern European. We have a very active group of bowl back aficionados here but many aren't in the US. In a day or so someone should be able to ID the maker or at least the region and give you an idea of the age. I recognize a lot from the exposure here but it's not my forte.

[ellieandgracie]

Thank you Mike.

[Jim Garber]

I think the guess as Czech in origin might be pretty close. The shape of the pickguard and decoration looks close to a few examples sold recently. Strunal is one brand, still in business as far as I know. There is a modern one currently for sale on Reverb, tho the shape of that pickguard is not the same as the OP's.



There was one sold on eBay with the brand Cremona Luby (I believe made by Strunal). That one looks very similar to the OP's only flatback.

[ellieandgracie]

Thanks for that Jim.

[Bob A]

My first bowlback, back in 1969, was a Czech cheapo. Frets and nut were brass, so it ended up unplayable and not worth repairing in about a year.

But it was great fun while it lasted.