1890 Joseph Bohman Bowlback

[mrmando2015]

Hey there, I'd like to know if anyone has any experience with these instruments. I'm going to look at one later made in 1890. It looks to be in excellent condition. Any information would be great.

[MikeEdgerton]

Well, they were made by the World's Greatest Musical Instrument Manufacturer. Here is every thread on the cafe with the name Bohmann in it (note the two n's at the end).

[mrmando2015]

Lol that's great!

[MysTiK PiKn]

My HERO. Great Label.

[Andrew B. Carlson]

I've got an old parlor guitar made by Joseph Bohmann from around that same time. It's an excellent sounding guitar. It's a one of a kind.

[goaty76]

Lets see a pic of that guitar Andrew.

Phil

[Andrew B. Carlson]

[mrmando2015]

Cool guitar. The mandolin turned out to to be non-playable. The top was caving in and two of the tuning machines no longer worked. Oh well, I'll keep looking.

[MikeEdgerton]

The vast majority of the Bohmann instruments that I have seen on eBay over the last 10 or 15 years have been unplayable. Most of the mandolins had been stripped of their Handel tuners if nothing else. The good news is that their are plenty nice bowlback mandolins (if that is what you're looking for) out there and they are generally (with few exceptions) inexpensive.