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Thread: 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

  1. #1

    Default 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

    This has Kluson tuners that appear to be 1940s. The case is from around the 50s. There may be something a bit odd at the nut while there is a gap at the heel. Anyway, two pickguards and a complete mystery to me. The headstock and heel shape do suggest United but this mandolin appears to have a two piece back- it is quite nicely made.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-CB-M....c100667.m2042

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  3. #2

    Default Re: 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

    Seller wrote:

    "Mice condition. ... Please refer to pictures."

    Hmm. I looked at the pics expecting to see signs of chewing or other rodent activity that might warrant a "mice condition" advisory... didn't see anything...

    Either I didn't look closely enough, or the seller meant "nice" instead of "mice"...


  4. #3

    Default Re: 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

    Perhaps he is a fan of Sly Stone?

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  6. #4
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

    Quote Originally Posted by NickR View Post
    Perhaps he is a fan of Sly Stone?
    Thank you falettinus enjoy your wit again...
    Allen Hopkins
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  8. #5

    Default Re: 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

    ...mice...
    Quote Originally Posted by NickR View Post
    Perhaps he is a fan of Sly Stone?
    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    Thank you falettinus enjoy your wit again...
    Ah... ok between those latter two posts, and with the help of Google and a Wikipedia page, now I understand.

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  10. #6
    FIDDLES with STRADOLINS your_diamond's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

    Quote Originally Posted by NickR View Post
    Perhaps he is a fan of Sly Stone?
    I just wanna say "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)".

    They used a mondegreen on the A-side of the record (45 RPM) but not on the DOUBLE A-SIDE (there was no B-side). The other side was "Everybody is a Star".

  11. #7
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

    I think whomever built this used a neck off another mandolin. As late as the mid 60's you could buy fretted fingerboards from most large music jobbers as well as all of the other hardware parts. I would suspect that was a stock figerboard on a neck off something else. It's just odd.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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  13. #8

    Default Re: 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

    I am pleased my Sly Stone reference was not too cryptic!

    Interesting, to think it may be a Bitsa mandolin- I would have thought it was easier to buy a used mandolin but there you go- rising to the challenge of making your own instrument from a kit of parts!

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  15. #9
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

    Mice indeed! You guys are crackin’ me up!
    Sly rascals!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  16. #10

    Default Re: 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

    This United branded reso-mando- most likely from the early 40s judging by the tuners has the same headstock shape and heel. I'm only copying the front side for this post.Click image for larger version. 

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  17. #11
    Registered User jim simpson's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

    Here is a mice mandolin that I used to own. It's a Scutt style Harmony mandolin that had an enlarged F-hole courtesy of a mouse, lol! I guess someone should have kept a rattlesnake rattle in it!
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    Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band

  18. #12

    Default Re: 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

    I think that is the model branded Playtime which Sears sold- about 1941. It's in a catalogue page I loaded up on another thread when we were discussing a Stradolin with Kluson tuners that have cover plates.

  19. #13
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

    Quote Originally Posted by Timbofood View Post
    Mice indeed! You guys are crackin’ me up!
    Sly rascals!
    Nah, we're just everyday people.
    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

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  21. #14
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1940s/50s Flat Top US Made

    Might be good to post a few photos from the original eBay posting for future generations. Otherwise they won't know what we are referring to.
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