Re: L&H Jupiter bowlback (I think). Need help identifying year/mo
Mike's right on the L+H provenance and it's likely to be pre 1910, I think. The tuners may be replacement or original, but they do seem upside down--at least relative to the era. My L+H Washburns from this time period are worm gear under. These might simply have been put back on upside down or else are altogether replacements as suggested. Don't know when tuners changed over as a whole--though I should, it's been discussed here enough. Do they turn the "right" way?
In Bob Carlin's book on Regal mandolins he has reprints from his 1901 Regal catalog which look quite similar to Red Hand's mandolin. In Bob's book he says that after L+H purchased Regal they sold off their existing stock under their label. I can't recall whether this wound up being the "Lakeside" or "Jupiter" brand mandolins, or maybe both.
So my working theory is that this is an Indianapolis Regal-made (or partially made), L+H finished and / or branded mandolin. With muy sketchioso mounted tuners. Our scanner has fallen one or two driver updates behind Mac OS so I can only reference the pages (45-49) that I'm looking at in Bob's book.
As always, looking forward to being wrong….
Anyhow, yeah, you're right it is a budget line model, but it looks in quite playable condition. With a set of Extra Light (09-32) strings and a proper pick, it should play quite nicely. Your fiancé is to be applauded (and treasured.) Fair play to her….
Mick
Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
______________________
'05 Cuisinart Toaster
'93 Chuck Taylor lowtops
'12 Stetson Open Road
'06 Bialetti expresso maker
'14 Irish Linen Ramon Puig
Bookmarks