Mandolins: Northfield 5-Bar Artist Model "Old Dog", J Bovier F5 Special, Gibson A-00 (1940)
Fiddles: 1920s Strad copy, 1930s Strad copy, Liu Xi T20, Liu Xi T19+ Dark.
Guitars: Taylor 514c (1995), Gibson Southern Jumbo (1940s), Gibson L-48 (1940s), Les Paul Custom (1978), Fender Strat (Black/RWFB) (1984), Fender Strat (Candy Apple Red/MFB) (1985).
Sitars: Hiren Roy KP (1980s), Naskar (1970s), Naskar (1960s).
Misc: 8 Course Lute (L.K.Brown)
There have been quite a few of them for sale on ebay. Also, they were made in Germany over the years. As OS was originally a central European maker, I don't know if the mandolins made in America were influenced by the activities in Europe at that time- the mandolin craze swept both continents.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Oscar-Schmi...EAAOSwxU9dcCRb
These are often called "mandriolas." Schmidt built quite a few of this type of instrument; however, they were always a small minority of mandolins built. Sometimes a number of the courses were strung in octaves; I believe unison tuning was the most common.
For melody playing, they tend to sound a bit muddy (in my experience), but they do have a full chordal sound. I haven't seen a mandriola that I would date as post-WWII, at least not a US-made one. The ones offered for sale on-line tend to be German-made, as NickR mentions.
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
I can only imagine the challenge of keeping one in tune.
I came upon a pre 20s Gibson A model 12 string in Mexico a few years back.
There was a 12 string Gibson in We Buy Guitars n 48th Street in NYC many decades ago. I assume someone bought it. Also, Mandolin Brothers had a D'Angelico 12 string.
Here's one of the videos of Andy Statman playing it:
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Here's a photo of a Gibson 12 string from 1963, apparently.
And a link to a discussion about it.
Appears to have been up at Elderly for awhile.
Does it resemble the Mexican or New Yorkan versions y'all have seen?
Mick
Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
______________________
'05 Cuisinart Toaster
'93 Chuck Taylor lowtops
'12 Stetson Open Road
'06 Bialetti expresso maker
'14 Irish Linen Ramon Puig
Mandolins: Northfield 5-Bar Artist Model "Old Dog", J Bovier F5 Special, Gibson A-00 (1940)
Fiddles: 1920s Strad copy, 1930s Strad copy, Liu Xi T20, Liu Xi T19+ Dark.
Guitars: Taylor 514c (1995), Gibson Southern Jumbo (1940s), Gibson L-48 (1940s), Les Paul Custom (1978), Fender Strat (Black/RWFB) (1984), Fender Strat (Candy Apple Red/MFB) (1985).
Sitars: Hiren Roy KP (1980s), Naskar (1970s), Naskar (1960s).
Misc: 8 Course Lute (L.K.Brown)
Lowell Levinger has an A-4 12 string mandolin in his online museum. I don't think that was the one I saw on 48th Street. I seem to remember an orange-topped A1 body.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
I have a Mexican instrument called a tricordia that has 12 strings in 4 courses, tuned in unison. It has a deep body and I believe that it is used more as a rhythm instrument. I picked it up at a pawn shop on lunch break from jury duty a few years back. I'll try to find some photos and post them. I don't play it much, but it was worth the price of admission.
- Denis
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