Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 50

Thread: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    I am looking for info on this mandolin made by Epiphone.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	V__08A4.jpg 
Views:	1666 
Size:	38.9 KB 
ID:	123833

  2. #2
    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Orcas Island, Washington
    Posts
    6,172

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    Whoa...


  3. #3
    Loarcutus of MandoBorg DataNick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Fallbrook, CA
    Posts
    3,837

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    I'm guessing a 70's era made in Japan model...don't enough about them, sorry!
    1994 Gibson F5L - Weber signed


    "Mandolin brands are a guide, not gospel! I don't drink koolaid and that Emperor is naked!"
    "If you wanna get soul Baby, you gots to get the scroll..."
    "I would rather play music anyday for the beggar, the thief, and the fool!"
    "Perfection is not attainable; but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence" Vince Lombardi
    Playing Style: RockMonRoll Desperado Bluegrass Desperado YT Channel

  4. #4
    Registered User Bill Snyder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Central Texas
    Posts
    7,316

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    Hasn't this model been discussed before? Doesn't it date from the 1930's? Model name Windsor perhaps?

    Yep, HERE is a previous thread.
    Bill Snyder

  5. #5

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    Thanks for the reply Bill. I did a search and found one of the threads but the links for the mandozine article were/are dead. I didn't see majicfingers pictures on my first search, so thanks for those. I'm trying to get info for a family member who has this instrument.

  6. #6
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    Epiphone Windsor Special, vintage 1934-48, if this EpiphoneWiki article is accurate.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  7. #7

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    Thanks for the link, that's a great resource.

  8. The following members say thank you to gregpost for this post:


  9. #8
    NY Naturalist BradKlein's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Lehigh Valley - Pennsylvania
    Posts
    2,276

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    A rare and valuable mandolin, Greg. I'm sure folks around here would appreciate more photos and any history that you can learn about this instrument.
    BradKlein
    Morning Edition Host, WLVR News
    Senior Producer, Twangbox®
    Twangbox® Videos

  10. #9
    Registered User almeriastrings's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Almeria, Spain
    Posts
    5,442
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    Because of the 'degrading' of the Epiphone name/legacy as a result of being used on cheap 'copy' instruments, a lot of people these days are not even aware of the superb carved top guitars (in particular) they produced in the 1930's. They were absolutely top line instruments... right through the 50's and early 60's, they were still putting out some beautiful jazz guitars. A lady who had sadly lost her husband asked me to look at his guitar collection not too long back, and he had some fine instruments, and old tube amps - archtop Guild's mostly, a couple of Gibson solid body electrics, and a superb 50's era Epiphone Zephyr Emperor Regent.... she was quite surprised to find out how much they were all worth. Those mandolins are super-rare. It would be incredible to try one!
    Gibson F5 'Harvey' Fern, Gibson F5 'Derrington' Fern
    Distressed Silverangel F 'Esmerelda' aka 'Maxx'
    Northfield Big Mon #127
    Ellis F5 Special #288
    '39 & '45 D-18's, 1950 D-28.

  11. #10

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    I have better than average knowledge about guitars(mostly electrics) and so I'm aware of Epiphone's amazing history. Unfortunately I don't know much about Mandolins, so thanks again for everybody chiming in. This is a pretty great forum!

  12. #11
    Loarcutus of MandoBorg DataNick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Fallbrook, CA
    Posts
    3,837

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    My Bad!...Wow, those look great!

    I'd love to try either the F model or the 2-point...good luck with it!
    1994 Gibson F5L - Weber signed


    "Mandolin brands are a guide, not gospel! I don't drink koolaid and that Emperor is naked!"
    "If you wanna get soul Baby, you gots to get the scroll..."
    "I would rather play music anyday for the beggar, the thief, and the fool!"
    "Perfection is not attainable; but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence" Vince Lombardi
    Playing Style: RockMonRoll Desperado Bluegrass Desperado YT Channel

  13. #12

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    I don't have high quality photos yet. But these show a bit more detail. I have been calling/emailing around trying to find some more info.


    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	photo 1.JPG 
Views:	411 
Size:	118.9 KB 
ID:	123944
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	photo 2.JPG 
Views:	264 
Size:	153.4 KB 
ID:	123945
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	photo 3.JPG 
Views:	317 
Size:	132.4 KB 
ID:	123946
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	photo 4.JPG 
Views:	286 
Size:	117.9 KB 
ID:	123947
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	photo 5.JPG 
Views:	267 
Size:	109.7 KB 
ID:	123948

  14. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to gregpost For This Useful Post:


  15. #13
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    A bunch of threads discussing the Epiphone Windsor can be found here.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  16. #14
    Registered User johnl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    MS
    Posts
    107

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    Beautiful mandolin! The style of the Epiphone name on the headstock looks like the later style I've seen on New York Epi mandolins; so I'd guess that this one is from 1947 or 1948 (assuming that the last year they were made was 1948). Also, the style of the label (blue border, green, white, or gold) can give you an idea as to when it was made. I'm guessing it has the blue border.

  17. #15

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    Thanks for the links and info. I read some of these threads upon first joining and searching the forum and they've been helpful. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of info about this model on the internet and whatever there is leads back to this forum, so I'm glad I joined.

    I talked to some vintage dealers and they let me know that from pictures it does appear to be a Epiphone Windsor model that we have and that it is rare and of value to certain collectors. We are going to take better photos, looking for a label/serial number.

    Also found an old Vega mandolin.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Vega.jpg 
Views:	267 
Size:	119.3 KB 
ID:	123967
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	V__3DA2.jpg 
Views:	184 
Size:	141.9 KB 
ID:	123968

  18. #16
    Registered User Joey Anchors's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    1,008

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by gregpost View Post
    I am looking for info on this mandolin made by Epiphone.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	V__08A4.jpg 
Views:	1666 
Size:	38.9 KB 
ID:	123833
    This is one gorgeous mandolin!

  19. #17
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by gregpost View Post
    ...I talked to some vintage dealers and they let me know that from pictures it does appear to be a Epiphone Windsor model that we have and that it is rare and of value to certain collectors... Also found an old Vega mandolin.
    Where are you finding these instruments -- and how do I get there?
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  20. #18
    Registered User Petrus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Los Angeles
    Posts
    2,623

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by almeriastrings View Post
    Because of the 'degrading' of the Epiphone name/legacy as a result of being used on cheap 'copy' instruments, a lot of people these days are not even aware of the superb carved top guitars (in particular) they produced in the 1930's. They were absolutely top line instruments... right through the 50's and early 60's, they were still putting out some beautiful jazz guitars.
    I didn't know this at all. I've always lumped Epiphones in with Ibanez and all that other low end stuff one finds at Guitar Center and so forth. Gonna keep an eye out for them from now on.

    BTW, it's been bugging me for years: Is the word pronounced just like it looks (like the final syllable of "telephone") or as a pun on "epiphany?"

  21. #19
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    Epiphone (last syllable same as tele-phone) named after Epaminondas A. Stathopoulo, the company's president. it was founded by his father as the House of Stathopoulo. They changed the name to Epiphone around 1928.

    I have a wonderful, if modest, 1934 Epiphone Spartan archtop guitar.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  22. #20
    Registered User Givson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    397

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    Epiphone was Gibson's chief competitor in the area of archtop guitars from the 30s to the 50's, and Epiphone carefully designed their guitar models to be a little wider and a little fancier looking than the comparable Gibson model.
    When 'good enough' is more than adequate.

  23. #21
    Registered User Joey Anchors's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    1,008

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    Agreed. Early Epiphones (pre-gibson) were top notch instruments. I wish I had this early Epiphone mando!!

  24. #22
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Sugar Grove,PA
    Posts
    3,371
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    As far as I know Harry West had one. "He said on his website that he didn't think the other one was for sale either", and he knew of one more! "I'm guessing the Dawg" It is a Windsor awesomely rare. Always wanted to find one of these ever since I was younger when Tone Poems came out and Grisman mentioned he wanted one because I believe it was one of those models that was questionable if it even was in existence! Man O Man you lucky Dog! Great ya found one but too bad it wasn't ME!

  25. #23
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Sugar Grove,PA
    Posts
    3,371
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    I forgot to ask is the case a Loar era case? It looks like one to me except handle and latches so maybe early Paganoni case?

  26. #24
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    I have pics of three other scrolled Windsors in my jpeg files (including Harry West's -- in the red-lined case). They all seem different from one another. The one with the pickup seems to have extra binding on the scroll.

    IMHO the design is a little klunky compared to the Gibson F5. The body proportions are a bit off in comparison to the f-holes (tho the f-holes do seem different on each example) and I find the headstock overly large. Still it is a probably a well-built mandolin.

    I believe that Epiphone entered its mandolin manufacturing on the late side, in the 1930s. The Windsor was originally the two-point version and introduced the scrolled Windsor Special 1934. They eventually dropped the two-point and the scrolled one became the Windsor. They dropped if from the line in 1949.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	P6110046.jpg 
Views:	243 
Size:	57.4 KB 
ID:	124001   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	EPIWNDSR_full2.jpg 
Views:	831 
Size:	51.8 KB 
ID:	124000   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	mandolin 022.jpg 
Views:	636 
Size:	145.1 KB 
ID:	123999  

    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  27. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Jim Garber For This Useful Post:


  28. #25

    Default Re: Vintage Epiphone Mandolin

    [QUOTE=Petrus;1325727]I didn't know this at all. I've always lumped Epiphones in with Ibanez and all that other low end stuff one finds at Guitar Center and so forth. Gonna keep an eye out for them from now on./QUOTE]

    Yes, and keep in mind pawn shops don't always know this history, either. My buddy bought a 1961 (USA Gibson made) Epiphone Casino at a pawn shop dirt cheap because they priced it as a recent Chinese import. At the time, the Casino was worth $3-4K.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •