does this look right?

**slimt** · Sep-01-2019, 4:23pm

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the Neck looks spliced..

**ColdBeerGoCubs** · Sep-01-2019, 4:40pm

Originally Posted by slimt

the Neck looks spliced..

It does. Looks like a hammerhead shark. Bet it’s bite is worse than it’s bark.

**John Bertotti** · Sep-01-2019, 5:01pm

how is the neck bowed bad or level? The repair doesn't look bad and I have seen wood that looked like that that wasn't a repair but either way, if it sounds good is level and intonates well no worries, just a bargaining point.

**Eric Platt** · Sep-01-2019, 7:09pm

Looks like it to me. Doesn't mean it is. But it could be. FWIW, my friend's 1909 A appears to have a grafted on headstock based on looking at the front at the correct angle. Appears to have come that way from the factory.

As others said, if the neck is straight and it plays in tune, it's more a negotiating point than anything.

**slimt** · Sep-01-2019, 8:04pm

Thank you

**rcc56** · Sep-02-2019, 12:55pm

It looks like a splice to me.
I would be very surprised if it originally left the factory like this.

I can't say for sure without seeing more pictures, but the most likely explanation is that the mandolin suffered a peghead break and was sent back to the factory for repair before WWII.

If the glue joint was done well, it might hold for another 100 years. If not, re-doing it so it will hold would be a difficult job.

**Hockey Puck** · Sep-02-2019, 2:18pm

My 1906 A4 has a scarf jointed neck (pretty sure it is original) but it is in the opposite direction.

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**slimt** · Sep-02-2019, 2:30pm

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a side view

and Thank you for your replies..

**rcc56** · Sep-02-2019, 3:35pm

Hmmm. It looks like the grain may be running through the line. If so, it might not be a joint at all. But it definitely looks like a splice in your first picture.

An in-hand inspection with a light and a magnifying glass is in order here to see whether this is merely a line in the wood, or a joint.

This one can't be solved by looking at pictures on a computer screen. If there is a really good violin repairman in your neighborhood, they can give you an answer.

**Jeff Mando** · Sep-02-2019, 4:32pm

Looks like a scarf joint/splice to me. Would not have come that way. Looks like a good repair and nothing to worry about, IMHO.

As previously said, it can be used as a bargaining chip when negotiating. My former employer would use a bargaining technique when looking at an instrument for sale where he would rub his finger over the offending area and just shaking his head and saying "mmmm, mmmmm" under his breath..........yep, it worked.