Looking for some information on this instrument.

[SpenserLeeds]

Hello, I'm trying to find some info on this mandolin. A friend of my father collects all kinds of stringed instruments, and she's loaned this one to me to clean up and *possibly* play. (I'm a bassist/guitarist) She bought in at a pawn shop in Los Angeles in the mid seventies, and it's sat in her house untouched for almost 40 years. I took it to Sam Ash to get some new strings and the guys and girls there couldn't identify it. I've searched inside and out for some kind of marking but I couldn't find anything.

Here it is all cleaned up and polished and restrung.

Thanks!

I believe I've attached the photos. If not, I'll post in a second.

[JEStanek]

Use the G Advanced, Manage Attachments options to add a photo. Welcome to the Cafe.

Jamie

[SpenserLeeds]

[Jim Garber]

It is a suzuki or made by that company. I assume there are no markings. You can see another one here.

Prob made in the 1970s so when bought was pretty new. They also were sold under a number of other brands like Conqueror and Kent.

[Glock10mm]

Does anyone the value of this instrument? I have one in the original case in pristine condition. I would like to sell it but don't have an idea of the value.

[Glock10mm]

I am looking for info and value on a Mandolin that I got 20 years ago. It was 20-25 years old then. It is in the original case and is absolutely perfect condition. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[MikeEdgerton]

I am looking for info and value on a Mandolin that I got 20 years ago. It was 20-25 years old then. It is in the original case and is absolutely perfect condition. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

If it's the Suzuki you are talking about in the other threads take a look at these sold prices on eBay. The green indicates what it sold for. They don't bring a whole lot and from what I'm seeing you have to catch the right person at the right time.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=...&LH_Complete=1

[MikeEdgerton]

I just merged two of the three threads posted in.

[Glock10mm]

Thank you! It's funny it's a Suzuki. I don't see that anywhere on it. I can't believe it's so cheap!! It's such a beautiful instrument.

[allenhopkins]

Suzuki was one of the labels these sold under. Conqueror was another. Asian factories produce instruments for a variety of distributors, and label them as the distributors wish.

It is an attractive instrument. Some bowl-back players report that these Japanese-made instruments were rather heavily built and less responsive than other bowl-backs. I haven't played a Suzuki/Conqueror, so can't agree or disagree, but the modest market values may reflect this opinion.

[Jim Garber]

Yup, your Conqueror was made by Suzuki a venerable company but that era of their bowlbacks 1970s or so was not stellar. I had one many years ago and its tone was not what I was looking for. Those prices Mike linked to are about right.