Need help identifying this mandolin. Bought at yard sale.

[Terry Rhodes]

[Bill Cameron]

No label inside? This is an average quality turn of the century commercially made bowlback. Pretty sure it’s a Regal, since I found a near-identical one with a two-click search: http://chrisvallillo.com/extras/orph...back-mandolin/
Not very ornate, by the standards of the day, and the higher-end ones had many more staves (pieces) making up the back than this example. How’s the neck? Straight? What I like about this, believe it or not, is the damage around the soundhole. That suggests it was played, a lot, so someone enjoyed the sound and feel; it didnt spend it’s life hanging on a wall or in a case. And there are no readily apparent cracks in the body, which are common in these old bowls. It looks like the strings are loosened; if it is as solid as it looks in the pictures, try putting -light gauge- strings on it and tuning it up. If it's tuneable and playable (to fifth or seventh fret, we don’t expect miracles), it might be worth perhaps $150 or so in present condition.

[Terry Rhodes]

Thanks so much for the information. No, there wasn't a sticker inside. The neck is straight and the strings are actually pretty tight. There are no cracks and with the exception of the wear by the hole, there are just a few minor scuffs. It came in a cardboard box that was shaped to fit it. I do appreciate the information. Terry

[MikeEdgerton]

I don't see the Regal connection. Everyone (but Gibson) made bowlbacks at some point. To be honest the pickguard on both examples is confusing me a bit. The trim other than that could have come from any of several builders of that era. I don't find an example in Carlin's book with that pickguard.

[allenhopkins]

Well, the headstock shape is definitely Regal-ish, with the "scooped" top profile. And quite a few of the "University" and "20th Century" models had alternating ribs -- maple/rosewood, birch/rosewood -- with "inlaid strips" between them.

Agree that I don't see either that particular pickguard shape, or the headstock inlay, in any of Carlin's catalog illustrations. Tailpiece is pretty generic.

Perhaps an instrument Regal built for a specific store or distributor, "tweaked" enough so it wasn't their standard catalog fare?

[nmiller]

It does not appear to be a Chicago-built instrument. That headstock shape was used by a number of builders, and there is nothing that points toward this being a Regal (or Kay, or L&H, or Harmony) instrument.

[rcc56]

Doesn't remind me of Chicago craftsmanship either. Nor any other large American shop. I think small shop or individual maker, maybe US, maybe Western Europe.

[MikeEdgerton]

I keep thinking European as well but the tuners and tailpiece do look domestic. L&H made alternating stave mandolins as well and lots of people used the headstock shape as has been noted. It does seem to be a rather thin long shape. I don't know. At least nobody has attributed it to the Larson's yet.

[allenhopkins]

... At least nobody has attributed it to the Larson's yet.

Hey, I'll attribute it to Greg Larson, lineman for the NY Giants in the 1960's.

Just to keep the discussion going...

[AndyV]

Same tailpiece as on my Suzuki built Flamenco. The pickguard is very familiar - German?

[DavidKOS]

Same tailpiece as on my Suzuki built Flamenco. The pickguard is very familiar - German?

There are a few odd details that look like some odd European cheapo mandolins from my youth.

Like my first one. Similar weird pickguard inlay, perhaps German, when there were 2 of them

[brunello97]

.... At least nobody has attributed it to the Larson's yet.

I suppose it's possible that it is a Larson.......

The rosewood and soundhole detailing, as well as the headstock suggests American--if not Chicago-- to me. But for the scratchplate style, I don't think there is much that suggests this is a EuroBowl.....

Only partly in jest: Maybe we ought to start asking folks to weigh these instruments to help with IDs....
The Chicago and MidAtlanticRim bowlbacks I have are heavier than my Italian or German bowls, by a considerable margin. Put it on the kitchen scale.....

Mick

[AndyV]

A Larson.

[tonydxn]

To me it does have a very German look, especially the pickguard. But the tailpiece is American (I think) and I've never seen a German mandolin with a decal like that on the head. I suspect it was made in America by a German immigrant.

[AndyV]

Tailpiece could be replacement...

[MikeEdgerton]

Tailpiece could be replacement...

On two different mandolins?

[AndyV]

On two different mandolins?

Two mandolins? What have I missed?

[Jim Garber]

You guys have it covered. I also checked Carlin's book and I also don't see Wulschner/Regal using that pickguard shape. That headstock is common with Lyon & Healy/American Conservatory as well as mandolins they made for the trade.

[MikeEdgerton]

Two mandolins? What have I missed?

Post 2 has a link to anther mandolin just like it.

[AndyV]

Post 2 has a link to anther mandolin just like it.

So it does, the one found with a two click search. When I open those pics, none show the tailpiece.

Now because of you Mike, I have to ask something unrelated that I had told myself to just leave alone when I saw this two days ago.
I see this on TV and in movies all the time. Two clicks and all the most detailed, bang on the money information pops up.
How can I do this? Please.

[MikeEdgerton]

I'm not sure what you're asking but the tailpiece is in this picture in that link.

[AndyV]

Ah, yes. I didn't see it in the corner of the picture of the case.