Re: Any help identifying old Mandolin?
Let's be clear here folks. This is NOT an American Conservatory mandolin, which L+H always clearly labeled as such. That it resembles the one in the page that Jim posted shouldn't then be a reason to get ahead of oneself with attribution.
L+H made a lot of mandolins lines. AC was not their lower grade instrument....check them out in terms of material quality and detailing. They made a lot of lower grade mandolins than the AC line (Jupiter, Lakeside, College Line...all manner of unlabeled mandolins.) I've seen numerous AC mandolins that were nicer (in terms of materials and detailing) than mandolins from the Washburn line. A proper AC mandolin (they made many with ebony fretboards) is a very good mandolin.
Hard to tell from the bowl photos, but I do have the feeling these are "two for one" ribs. Could be wrong about this. Much easier to tell with mandolin in hand. Mind you, the extra faux rib separators were not painted on, but inset into the rosewood rib. Again, I don't think it should be a deal killer. L+H used it on a lot of mandolins. Others might have as well.
The action appears a bit high to my playing preference, but that may be manageable with some simple bridge work. As Peter suggests, if the neck has rotated up a bit, it could make the action adjustment through bridge work less effective. Checking it with a metal straightedge should make its condition clear. I wouldn't buy it and invest much in repairs unless you do them yourselves. Lots of fish in the Chicago mando sea.
You can talk yourself into it or talk yourself out of it, but only so much you can ascertain from a distance.
Mick
Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
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