Help identifying this mandolin?

[Dawson]

I’ve never had a mandolin before but I was looking around on the internet and found this one, any idea what make/model/brand this is?

[Dawson]

[Dawson]

[Ray(T)]

The slotted headstock suggests German or Eastern European.

[allenhopkins]

Agree with Ray. Without a label (on the back opposite the sound, if there is one), you're unlikely to get "make/model/brand." What price is being asked?

If you're thinking of getting started on mandolin, I'd recommend that you get a student-level model of a recognized brand, rather than taking a flyer on an anonymous instrument you find on-line. Not that you might not get lucky, find a bargain that's great to learn on, but you're taking somewhat of a risk buying a used "no-name" instrument sight unseen. If it's really cheap -- well, there could be quite a few reasons for that.

[Dawson]

That’s the reason I had my eye on this one, it’s only going for $85 but on OfferUp, apparently there is a #12 marking on it somewhere the seller said but I don’t know anymore than that. Any recommendations for decent starting mandolins? I also want something relatively durable as I intend on taking it on the road with me traveling. Thank you guys for all your help.

[rcc56]

Back in the late '70's, there were some somewhat similar [but not exactly the same] mandolins being built with a "Made in Romania" label on them. Some were quite good, some not. This one could also be Latin American made. At any rate, it would be safer to be able to inspect the instrument before buying. A picture can only show you what it looks like. It does not tell you how well crafted it is or what it sounds like.

[allenhopkins]

... Any recommendations for decent starting mandolins? I also want something relatively durable as I intend on taking it on the road with me traveling...

The standard recommendation here is the Kentucky KM-150, all solid woods, hand-carved (at least partially), a good quality mandolin that'll last you well past the "beginner" stage. It's available at several good dealers, with a shop set-up, for less than $400, so don't sweat Saga's list price too much.

However, that's a quantum jump over the $85 price of the one you've found. If that's too far to leap, consider the Rover RM-50, which is also all solid woods, not carved but heat-pressed, and, like the KM-150, sold by Saga. You can find RM-50's for around $150 discounted. Get a good set-up, and again, a hard-shell case if you're taking it on the road consistently.

[Ray(T)]

If the $85 includes the case, personally, I would think it worth the risk.

[tonydxn]

This doesn't look very old, therefore probably not German. Shape and tailpiece suggest Romanian. Probably worth getting something better if you have the money to spare. If you haven't it seems like a reasonable $85 worth. Depends what you want to play too. Not much good for bluegrass.

[mandolinclash]

Looks similar to carvalho mandolins which are Portuguese.
Unfortunately if you look closely the neck / fretboard is out of alignment so IMHO $85 might be better spent elsewhere.

[mandobassman]

Looks similar to carvalho mandolins which are Portuguese.
Unfortunately if you look closely the neck / fretboard is out of alignment so IMHO $85 might be better spent elsewhere.

My first thought when I saw it was it looked Portuguese.

[rcc56]

My ex has one of the better Romanian mandolins that she bought somewhere around 1980. It is quite a good instrument, and has held together with no need of repair over the years, except for a set of tuners.

[Dawson]

How can you tell? Is there any way to fix it and how much would that be?

[mrmando]

True, the neck leans slightly to the bass side; it's not entirely perpendicular to the body. The defect is slight, but I don't see any way for the mandolin to play in tune in that condition. The repair would cost more than the mandolin is worth.

[lenf12]

True, the neck leans slightly to the bass side; it's not entirely perpendicular to the body. The defect is slight, but I don't see any way for the mandolin to play in tune in that condition. The repair would cost more than the mandolin is worth.

What Martin said except you can likely correct any intonation issues by tilting the bridge slightly. I would still look at Kentucky mandolins. Just my 2 cents

Len B.
Clearwater, FL