Strad-O-Lin Information

[lasherdc]

My wife’s late grandfather owned & played the Strad-O-Lin mandolin pictured here. My FIN cannot remember a time where his father did not own & play this instrument. IOW, we cannot place a time for its purchase & hence its age & other historical manufacturer info, but believe he had this instrument going back at least to the late 40s. I would appreciate any general information (such as the era & place of manufacture) on this instrument that can be discerned from the photos. This instrument would have brought over from Italy in 1955. Thank you in advance for any assistance!

[Seter]

That one looks like it's in pretty good shape, I guess that makes sense if it was in use and not just neglected in a basement. Could you post a picture of the back and a clearer one of the sides?

[lasherdc]

Sure...here you go. It looks like varnish was (poorly) applied 30 or so years ago—all over and too thick. The back is especially in need to work (jist with the finish).

[Seter]

I was thinking the finish looked a bit different than most Strad-o-lins, I guess that explains it.

[rcc56]

I have a very similar mandolin. It has an ink-stamped date near the center of the back, visible with a flashlight through the bass side f-hole. Mine was made in 1942, and has a clear finish which appears to be factory original.

[MikeEdgerton]

I don't think the tuners are original, they could be I guess. That heel has been reshaped and I'm assuming that happened when it was stripped of the original finish. The Strad-O-Lin social group has plenty of original photos if you want to know what it might have looked like.

[AndyV]

Interesting that a less common make of instrument travelled to Europe only to return to the US years later.

[allenhopkins]

"Place of manufacture" is the US, New York/New Jersey to be more specific. Who actually made Strad-O-Lin mandolins is a subject of much discussion and some debate. I've heard several suggestions, but haven't personally reached any conclusions.

The "Strad-O-Lin" trademark was later purchased by a distributor who stuck it on a wide variety of musical merchandise from various sources; I've seen mention of a Strad-O-Lin trombone, for example. Your mandolin predates that development.

[MikeEdgerton]

The original owner of the brand name was in New York City. They didn't manufacture the instrument they were a distributor but they were manufactured in the US. Allen is correct.