Need help identifying bowlback

[StephanieL]

Hi! I just purchased this bowlback and both my husband and I have searched on the web quite a long time and we can't find one like it. The guy who sold it on marketplace said he bought it from an estate sale and a local music shop told him it is from the 50s, I'm not very sure about that. We have also looked inside with a mirror and flashlight and there is only a tiny bit of writing that doesn't make any sense and part of it is missing. I even tried looking for a similar case in case that would hold a clue but with no luck.

Thank you for your help (You have already helped me as I am going to get the strings changed to ultra light, which I learned from reading here, because I am pretty certain the ones he had put on it are not)

[Jim Garber]

Probably made in Chicago. Lyon & Healy is one good guess. I have seen others with similar features and pickguard is similar in shape to their line of Washburn mandolins. Looks like it is in decent shape. L&H sold lots of bowlbacks to stores and they often had no identifying labels or other marks. Other larger companies did the same.

[MikeEdgerton]

It's much earlier than the 50's. Maybe 30 to 40 years before the 50's.

[Jim Garber]

Mike is correct. Most likely from the teens of the last century. That seems to be the height of mandolin craze for bowlbacks.

[StephanieL]

Thank you so much for your help! I was thinking Lyon & Healy as well based on my research so I looked it up one more time and I think I found it!

https://www.ebay.com/i/153595068250?...26pg%3D2385738

It is American Conservatory and I guess it came up in the search results because I read that label was apparently a brand name used by Lyon & Healy. I think that ebay one looks like a good deal maybe (seller is rather vague)? Mine seems to be in better shape but maybe the ebay one would clean up. I got mine for $80, which I consider great because I just wanted a mandolin and it is nice to play.

Thanks again!

[LadysSolo]

If you got yours for $80 and it is playable, you got a SUPER deal! Congratulations!

[StephanieL]

Thank you! It is very playable! I thought I did, he was asking 100 and I asked him to take 80 and couldn't believe he said yes. He told us he flips auction stuff for a living in our rural area so he seemed quite satisfied with his margin lol.

[MikeEdgerton]

Unfortunately bowlbacks, with few exceptions, don't bring huge amounts when sold but there were a ton of them made and if you have one that didn't need work to be playable then it's a great way to go. Many bowlbacks go unsold weekly on eBay. Many have real issues that are never going to be worth fixing. Just play it an enjoy it.

[Jim Garber]

That is a good bowlback and you got that for a reasonable price. My very first mandolin was an American Conservatory. That actually was the midrange line for Lyon & Healy but were as well made and the Washburns (higher level). If it doesn't need work you did great.

I don't know what strings you have on it but the ones I love in terms of tone on a bowlback are these. A little on the pricey side but they are worth it IMHO. Dogal Calace RW92b Dolce..

[StephanieL]

Thank you for your feedback Mike & Jim! And thank you for letting me know about the strings Jim, I will get some of those, I appreciate it