1902 Martin Bowlback mandolin

[Bernie Daniel]

This Martin bowl back mandolin is very clean and the original leather case is amazingly well preserved. Not sure about whether the price is "right" though?

[lenf12]

At $1095 it's a bit too rich for my wallet. $500-600 for a "name" bowl back mandolin is more like it.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Bernie Daniel]

At $1095 it's a bit too rich for my wallet. $500-600 for a "name" bowl back mandolin is more like it.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

That is about the price I might be interested in. Of course the seller would surely see it much differently?
But I just wonder if there is ANY market for a used American bowl back though?

I kind of like to have an older, turn of the century (1900), Italian model I think. And in fact I think if you look you can find a very good deal on an Italian bowl back that has the requisite mojo in the $200 - 500 range?

[Peter K]

That is really an exceptionally well preserved mandolin, and although not a higher grade model, Martin used to build them all very nicely with fine tonal properties.
Should one decide to go for that particular mandolin, there are a couple of questions that I think should be addressed, and which the posted pictures do not help with:
* Absence of fretboard warping ?
* Any soundboard (top) distortions such as warping on the sides of the fretboard or cave-in under the bridge ?

[MikeEdgerton]

There is a market for used American made bowlbacks but there are a ton of them on the market, some decent some disasters. That's why the prices are low. This Martin is beyond the market but he only has to sell this one.

[Steve 2E]

I have had my eye on this mandolin too. I’m not an expert on value, but considering the condition and there were only 33 #3’s made in 1902 I don’t think the starting price is outrageous. Though I definitely wouldn’t pay that much for it. And I’m also thinking about the case. If just the case was for sale I might be willing to pay $200 for it. But that’s just me.

[Peter K]

I have had my eye on this mandolin too. I’m not an expert on value, but considering the condition and there were only 33 #3’s made in 1902 I don’t think the starting price is outrageous. Though I definitely wouldn’t pay that much for it. And I’m also thinking about the case. If just the case was for sale I might be willing to pay $200 for it. But that’s just me.

Actually, I marvel at the preservation of that case more than the mandolin itself. I have probably received three of such cases with my past BB mandolin purchases, and in all cases they had not aged well. They were in tatters, rotted away, with a heavy mold stench wafting from the interior. Into the garbage bin they all went.

[brunello97]

If the sound of a bowlback resides in the quality of its top and the precision curvature of the bowl, I'm not sure what this one would lack much compared with higher end, higher bling. It's a luxurious bowl, with some keen details. It will have a nicely shaped, very playable neck.

I've owned a few Martin bowls and they were distinctly lovely. One large for this Martin with this case actually sounds pretty good to me were I bowl shopping.

From the many conversations about bowls here it sounds like there are a couple types: those who are dedicated bowl-heads and those who would kind of like to have one in the herd, but aren't totally convinced. The latter should have many options in the $200-600 range.

This one is more for a bowl head. $1K should also get you a pretty nice Italian job as well, though it may be trickier to get one in such dependable shape.

I'm attaching a few images for posteriority.

Mick

[Steve 2E]

Thanks Mick!

I consider myself a Martin freak and not a bowlhead! I seem to watch any Martin mando that’s for sale online. I do have a nice solid, playable 1905/6 Washburn bowlback that will always have a place in my herd. I probably don’t need another bowlback, but another Martin never hurts! That being said I think I’d rather drop a grand on a Koa A model. So many mandolins, so little money!

[brunello97]

Thanks Mick!

I consider myself a Martin freak and not a bowlhead! I seem to watch any Martin mando that’s for sale online. I do have a nice solid, playable 1905/6 Washburn bowlback that will always have a place in my herd. I probably don’t need another bowlback, but another Martin never hurts! That being said I think I’d rather drop a grand on a Koa A model. So many mandolins, so little money!

I've enjoyed my Martins as well, EE.
In the M note range, a B model would also comes highly recommended. Spruce top / rosewood back make for a great combination.

"...nice solid playable...Washburn bowlback...."

Everyone should have one of these!

Mick

[allenhopkins]

Agree with Mick B. I'd put this one into four figures. Anything "Martin" gets a premium, and this one's condition is really exceptional.

I had a leather case like that that came with my Washburn bowl-back mandola, but it was severely worn and damaged, and finally just fell apart. In retrospect (this was over 30 years ago), I should have at least tried to get it restored, even partially, but it seemed hopeless and I finally discarded it after a couple years, constructed a homemade "coffin" case of plywood for the Washburn.

There are surely many decent American-made bowl-backs of that general vintage available for half the price of the Martin, but I don't think that makes the asking price totally unrealistic. And, of course, we don't know yet what it'll actually sell for...

[August Watters]

Seems to me that premium American bowlbacks are regularly going over $1k. As I recall, Carter's sold a 1902 Martin Style 6A for $1100, not too long ago. That's a higher model, although less ornamented than this one. There's a Martin Style 5 over at Bernunzio nearly $3000.

Average-level Vegas are regularly listed now at $500+. One sold on Reverb recently (mint condition) for $1000, and there's another there now (mid-grade) for $898. Lark Street Music has one listed at $995.

[Jim Garber]

I agree with Mick, Allen and August. That is a nice style #3 and is certainly within "book" value for EC (retail) FWIW.

[MikeEdgerton]

I appreciate that y'all like it but if it was that good of a deal I think it would be gone by now. YMMV.

[Jim Garber]

I appreciate that y'all like it but if it was that good of a deal I think it would be gone by now. YMMV.

Not a good deal, definitely not a steal. Retail price, but if you are looking for one...

[ollaimh]

i have never heard a martin bowl back. so what do people say about the tone.