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Thread: Stradolin or copy?

  1. #1

    Default Stradolin or copy?

    I got this guy off ebay, no label at all except “made in japan” sticker on the back of the peg head. It looks a lot like the stradolins I see posted - same shape, pickguard, bridge and tailpiece. But the f-holes are a style I’ve never seen and i think most (all?) stradolins have some kind of logo on the head.

    Is this a real stradolin or some kind of Japanese copy?

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  2. #2

    Default Re: Stradolin or copy?

    It looks very much like the far eastern mandolins that were copies of the Kay pear-shaped mandolin style. They seems to appear with all manner of names after Kay folded in 1968. A photo of the tuners would assist but I think it is definitely a Kay clone.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Stradolin or copy?

    Ah, that makes sense. I don’t really know the history of these makers that well. This is the back of the peghead.

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  4. #4

    Default Re: Stradolin or copy?

    Here is one of those "Kay" mandolins- but not from the original company but from one of the revivals selling far eastern versions- the same happened with the Harmony company- the name was revived and the instruments were imports.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kay-Mandoli...QAAOSwh4tdzb44

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Stradolin or copy?

    You can always tell real Strad-o-Lin’s by the segmented f holes. This one doesn’t have it. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, there is an s shaped hole with a round one just above and below it.
    Don

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  6. #6

    Default Re: Stradolin or copy?

    I know what you mean - that’s why I wondered about this originally, it didn’t have that style of f-holes. I didn’t know that all Stradolins do. Thanks for the info!

  7. #7
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stradolin or copy?

    It's one of these. They were imported under dozens of names and many without labels. Available weekly on eBay.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  8. #8

    Default Re: Stradolin or copy?

    Trying, trying to "wrap" my mind around what I just read.......

    Ok, when given a choice between an original USA mandolin that commonly sells for $100-150 or an import copy, the buyer choses the copy?

    Ain't eBay great.........

  9. #9
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stradolin or copy?

    Quote Originally Posted by multidon View Post
    You can always tell real Strad-o-Lin’s by the segmented f holes. This one doesn’t have it. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, there is an s shaped hole with a round one just above and below it.

    I think the last time this was discussed there were at least three different segmented f hole styles on Strad-O-Lins. One of them uses round holes, two other use comma shaped holes if I recall. The Strad-O-Lin Social Group has pictures of plenty of them if anyone wants to go though it again. As far as I recall they are all segmented.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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