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Thread: Otwin Mandolin

  1. #1
    Registered User Mement0o's Avatar
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    Default Otwin Mandolin

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    http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Mandoline-Otw...gAAOSwJQdW9StF

    I found it very good looking! I dont know exactly why cause Im usually not a big fan of flowers on instruments but this one... I guess it's love at first sight.

    Any information about her ?

    (I've seen other posts about otwins here but maybe there is something to say about this one in particular.)

  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Otwin Mandolin

    While you're waiting for an answer take a look through these threads.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  3. #3
    Registered User Mement0o's Avatar
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    Default Re: Otwin Mandolin

    Thank you!

  4. #4

    Default Re: Otwin Mandolin

    The wood looks nice but the tuners seem damaged and that makes me hesitate.

  5. #5
    Registered User tonydxn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Otwin Mandolin

    They were made in East Germany during the communist era. That kind of tuner is the worst quality you will ever see. They will need to be replaced. 90 euros seems a bit much for a mandolin that needs replacement tuners. But if you have fallen in love with it, who can put a price on that? Maybe it depends on how deep your pockets are.

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  7. #6
    Registered User almeriastrings's Avatar
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    Default Re: Otwin Mandolin

    The other thing on a lot of these East German (and Romanian) mandolins from that period is that they used very high brass content frets that are extremely soft and may well be badly corroded. Structurally, these instruments are not great...often beech used for necks... no truss rod or other reinforcement...they were incredibly cheap to buy at the time. I actually remember them being sold when new for less than 20 pounds in the UK.
    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.

  8. #7
    Registered User Martin Jonas's Avatar
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    Default Re: Otwin Mandolin

    I'm not sure I would put all Otwins into the generic "East German mandolins" pot -- the brand was made pre-war and post-war with similar designs and without date on the label. The pre-war ones were generally better quality. I used to own an Otwin and while I eventually sold it (for 200 Pounds on Ebay), mine was a solidly made instrument with no structural problems. Tuners were fine, although frets were indeed brass and not so good. I don't have photos of mine, but it was very similar in model and condition to this one, which is described as a 1920s model which may or may not be correct. Mine had open tuners, though.

    This old post has a Youtube clip by our Dutch Cafe member Hendrik ("luurtie") playing his Otwin model 120 as well as a pretty rough MP3 recording of me playing my Otwin (same model).

    However, the one on Ebay looks not so good to me: these tuners definitely need replacing (and indeed have already been partially and badly replaced) and the overall condition looks poor.

    Martin

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  10. #8
    Registered User almeriastrings's Avatar
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    Default Re: Otwin Mandolin

    Totally agree. The pre-war ones were better. Obviously, I don't remember those when they were being sold new, either
    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. #9
    Registered User tonydxn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Otwin Mandolin

    Yes - I have the idea lodged in my mind from somewhere that Otmar Windisch himself was a well-regarded maker who made good instruments. But all that changed after WW2 and that one on eBay is definitely a post-war instrument. It's possible that Windisch had nothing to do with them and they were just using his name.

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  13. #10
    Registered User Mement0o's Avatar
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    Default Re: Otwin Mandolin

    Very interesting to learn some history. Didnt buy it but I'll still pay attention to those Otwins. Thank you!

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