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Thread: Curious Mandolin

  1. #26

    Default Re: Curious Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    I actually sent pictures of this to my unknown anonymous world class luthier friend that has pronounced this not a Shmergel. Carry on.

  2. #27
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curious Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    I actually sent pictures of this to my unknown anonymous world class luthier friend that has pronounced this not a Shmergel...
    So then that actually implies that it could be a Shmergel. The fact that there's also a chance that it might be a Larson really complicates the matter.

    Anonymous
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  3. #28
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curious Mandolin

    I have heard from a prestigious unreliable source that the Larsons' mother's maiden name was Shmergel. Ah, the plot sickens.
    Jim

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  5. #29
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curious Mandolin

    May these several highly esteemed world class lutherie experts ever remain unnamed. Beware the papparazzi.
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  7. #30
    Registered User tonydxn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curious Mandolin

    I once bought a very fancy bowlback with no maker's label. I couldn't believe that anyone would make such a fancy instrument and not put his label in it. Then when I removed the tailpiece to give the instrument a good clean, a tiny piece of paper fell out, folded tightly into four. It was a maker's label.

    I don't know how common it was for makers to hide labels under the tailpiece, but it might be worth having a look . . .
    Mandolins: Bandolim by Antonio Pereira Cabral
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  8. #31
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    Default Re: Curious Mandolin

    I've seen that leaf and vine pattern on a guitar, several decades ago. IIRC the guitar was US-made, first quarter 20th century; pretty sure I saw it at Stutzman's in Rochester. The brain cells retaining more of this memory are no longer accessible. I do recall that the pattern on the guitar was executed more tastefully than on this mandolin, which may imply that the design was copied from, rather than made by, the same maker.

    Well, all that was pretty unhelpful, but it's all I got.

  9. #32

    Default Re: Curious Mandolin

    I didn't mention his name because I had not asked his permission to publish his quote and I think that was only fair to leave him anonymous. He is one of the authors of this book so you may be able to deduce who he is. I thank you for your sarcasm.

    https://www.amazon.com/Inventing-Ame.../dp/1458405761

  10. #33
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curious Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob A View Post
    I've seen that leaf and vine pattern on a guitar, several decades ago. IIRC the guitar was US-made, first quarter 20th century; pretty sure I saw it at Stutzman's in Rochester. The brain cells retaining more of this memory are no longer accessible. I do recall that the pattern on the guitar was executed more tastefully than on this mandolin, which may imply that the design was copied from, rather than made by, the same maker.

    Well, all that was pretty unhelpful, but it's all I got.
    Similar but not exact are early Washburn mandolins and banjo inlays, probably guitars too but I have misplaced my Hubert book.
    Jim

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  12. #34
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curious Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Similar but not exact are early Washburn mandolins and banjo inlays, probably guitars too but I have misplaced my Hubert book.
    I can lend you mine.
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  13. #35
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curious Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    I can lend you mine.
    Ok, I will be right over...

    This is a model 80 from the 1890s.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
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    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

  14. #36

    Default Re: Curious Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by tonydxn View Post
    I once bought a very fancy bowlback with no maker's label. I couldn't believe that anyone would make such a fancy instrument and not put his label in it. Then when I removed the tailpiece to give the instrument a good clean, a tiny piece of paper fell out, folded tightly into four. It was a maker's label.

    I don't know how common it was for makers to hide labels under the tailpiece, but it might be worth having a look . . .
    Interesting, well it is worth checking and it does need a bit of a clean so I may well have a look.

  15. #37

    Default Re: Curious Mandolin

    Interestingly my friend (who will remain anonymous) linked me to this Mandolin by Michele Maratea which has a similar purple paper lining...........

    What is interesting is that my Mandolin has some headstock details that remind me of Vinaccia but not 100%, but apparently Michele Maratea was a student of Vinaccia so that could be an interesting lead..................


    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1903-Ital...p2047675.l2557

  16. #38
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curious Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Ok, I will be right over...

    This is a model 80 from the 1890s.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    That upside-down-king's-crown scratchplate is one of my favorite L+H moves. Love it.

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