Continental

[GDog]

Anyone out there have any info on Continental mandolins? One just came my way at a bargain so I picked it up more or less for the aesthetics of it. Interesting piece. Not prize worthy just interesting. I seem to recall hearing that these or at least Continental labeled guitars were perhaps made by Kay, Harmony or the like.

[allenhopkins]

Regal "reverse scroll" mandolin. Is the top arched? Perhaps similar to this one?

The body design, and the integrated scroll and neck block, are attributed to Regal president Frank Nordick, who filed patents in 1911 and 1914. Check out descriptions in Bob Carlin's Regal Musical Instruments, 1895-1955, pp. 63-4 and 81.

[GDog]

Allen, yes it has an arch. Not too pronounced but arched. The images in the link you posted are spot on. So, it's safe to assume that Continental was a Regal with farmed out labeling?

[MikeEdgerton]

Regal built "for the trade" as well as their own brand names. If a teacher or retailer wanted to brand them as their own Regal (and Harmony and Kay) would just build them.They probably built more of these with someone else's label on them or no label at all than they did with their own brand name on it. Allen is correct, it's a Regal Reverse Scroll.

[GDog]

Appreciate the info guys!

[GDog]

One last question. Given the Regal time frame, it's safe to assume this Continental is pre 1955

[MikeEdgerton]

One last question. Given the Regal time frame, it's safe to assume this Continental is pre 1955

Definitely, probably pre 1940. Get a copy of Bob Carlin's book Regal Musical Instruments 1895-1955. You probably won't find the instrument but you'll find the shape of the headstock, the tuners, the body shape, etc. There's a catalog page from 1939 with three A style bodied mandolins with the same headstock shape and f hole design.

[allenhopkins]

The Mugwumps Index of American Fretted Musical Instrument Makers, which is about as comprehensive as you can get, doesn't list "Continental" as one of the instrument labels. But, as Mike E accurately points out, the big instrument manufacturers often ran off a bunch of specialty-labeled instruments, using their basic designs, for individual stores, teachers, even individual players. I'm guessing that's what you have here.

Good luck with it! I'm a big Regal fan -- decently made, journeyman-quality instruments, mostly, many of which have survived and are still playing. I currently gig with a hybrid Regal banjo (old tenor "pot" with a new, long "Pete Seeger" 5-string neck), and an 8-string tenor uke, or taropatch -- both from the '30's. And I have a lot of fun with my weird Regal Octofone.

[allenhopkins]

Here's a pic of a "Continental Soloist" guitar headstock; apparently a guitar labeled "Continental Soloist" was listed on eBay in 2014. Seller speculated it was made by "Kay or Harmony."

[GDog]

Allen, thank you for the info and link. I think I saw that ebay post in my hunt for info. As you guys mentioned it’s most likely made by Regal. I agree most of the Regals I’ve see that are still around were made fairly well. I haven’t gotten around to giving it a proper setup but am planning to this weekend time permitting.

[nmiller]

Continental was a music distributor with offices at various times in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, and Atlanta. I have not seen an instrument with their name on it before, but it's the same logo so I'm sure that's what we're looking at.

[NickR]

I have a Regal made mandolin sold by Jenkins of Kansas with exactly the same headstock shape- branded The Genuine Washington- circa 1930. If you post a photo of the tuners it may help date the instrument which looks circa 1930s.

[Jim Garber]

I have a Regal Ultra Grand that is similar to the OP's Continental.

[NickR]

I think the Ultra Grand might look down at the Continental as being a somewhat lower class impersonator of his good self but you can clearly see the similarities inherent!

[GDog]

I've attached some photos of the tuners. Also, some of the case candy (strings) are 1 - 1930's box of Gibson Mona-Steel strings and 1 - 1940's/50's Mona-Steel box. The 1930's box is a complete set. Could be an indicator of age, roughly same era

[Jim Garber]

I think the Ultra Grand might look down at the Continental as being a somewhat lower class impersonator of his good self but you can clearly see the similarities inherent!

I don't know.It might be fine to have a play date with both and see how they get along. I hae seen some identical models ot this one made under the B&D brand.

Actually mine does need some work to get it playable. I need to have that done. Also, sadly the pickguard has crystallization.

What was esp cool about this Ultra Grand is that it came with the original hardshell shaped case in excellent condition. I am not sure what modern cases this mandolin would fit in otherwise.