What's the chance this is a STRADOLIN MANDOLIN BODY

[your_diamond]

STRADOLIN MANDOLIN BODY, 1940S, PROJECT http://r.ebay.com/z7NgLC

[MikeEdgerton]

The heel of the neck looks right, not much more to go on unless there is a clamp mark on the neck block or tail block. I think that's about $39.00 over priced. I've never met Clark (the seller) but over the years he has come up with some really odd things. We live close to each other.

[Jim Garber]

Aren’t the desirable Strad-O-Lins arched tops and backs? This looks like a flattop and we don’t even know if it is laminated. Seems like a waste to make a whole new neck for something like that.

I met the seller Clark years ago at one of the New York Guitar Shows. I think I bought a Gretsch lap steel from him.

[rcc56]

I don't know, it could be a good project for someone who wants to learn . . . if you can get it for the asking bid.

[Jim Garber]

It is a lower end mandolin. No doubt the neck joint inside is pretty rough and cheaply made. I am not sure what someone can learn from that. Better off building a simple flattop body and make a neck for it, IMHO.

Here is what we are talking about:

[your_diamond]

I've got a lower end Stradolin with a fairly large top crack & a faux flame finish on the back.
It has a very nice neck. I know, I should wait for something better.

[Eric Platt]

I don't think so. Different wood in the neck block area that's also being used as the sides. And what is left of the neck seems to be longer than a typical Strad. Am thinking a Harmony or similar make.

[your_diamond]

I don't think so. Different wood in the neck block area that's also being used as the sides. And what is left of the neck seems to be longer than a typical Strad. Am thinking a Harmony or similar make.

Yeah, the more I look at it the more I don't quite think it will match up. Thanks everybody for your help. Ya saved me from buying some overpriced firewood (not needed right now in Florida).

This neck I have has a doodad on the headstock below the script logo... often a sign of a better grade stradolin.
love the neck... not so much the body.

Maybe I'll try an ad for a Stradolin body in the classifieds. Thanks again, Mike

[MikeEdgerton]

You know, if I owned that neck it would already be on the nicest cigar box I could find but that's just me

[rcc56]

It is a lower end mandolin. No doubt the neck joint inside is pretty rough and cheaply made. I am not sure what someone can learn from that. Better off building a simple flattop body and make a neck for it, IMHO.

There's plenty they can learn from it, like how to remove a neck, how to remove frets, how to remove a fingerboard, how to fit a new neck to an existing joint, and perhaps how to glue braces.

Beginners are sometimes overwhelmed by a project as complex as building a whole instrument. And taking a neck off and replacing it is valuable experience, even if the mandolin isn't worth much. It's better to practice on something like this before taking a valuable instrument apart.

And who knows-- the mandolin might even sound pretty good.

[your_diamond]

You know, if I owned that neck it would already be on the nicest cigar box I could find but that's just me

Only problem is, Cigar box instruments are bringing more money than most Stradolins. I don't want to cheapen the cigar box instrument. I can just hear somebody saying , "that's an entry level Cigar Box Mando".