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Thread: Good Quality Supertone Bowlback

  1. #1

    Default Good Quality Supertone Bowlback

    This mandolin appears to be in okay condition- missing some purfling. The photos are not great but the mandolin has plenty of ribs. When I have a chance I will see if I can find the old Sears, Roebuck ad- I think this is the range that also had guitars named after universities.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/bowl-back-m...YAAOSw4iVfSsfI


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  2. #2
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Good Quality Supertone Bowlback

    Pretty likely made by or through Lyon & Healy. I am not sure about this one but many of us bowl heads have seen bowls that look like many ribs but actually have fewer divided by inlays.
    Jim

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  3. #3

    Default Re: Good Quality Supertone Bowlback

    Yes, I think L & H is most likely. I seem to recall that Sears, Roebuck used Oscar Schmidt for guitars prior to buying Harmony in 1916 which is the year of this ad. However, I would doubt very much if this mandolin was from OS.

  4. #4
    Registered User zookster's Avatar
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    Default Re: Good Quality Supertone Bowlback

    I would agree it's a L and H product. Looks to be very high quality, and an early build (late 1890s -- early 20th cen.) It's a shame that beautiful purfl
    ing is missing, but could be a real fine player.

  5. #5
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Good Quality Supertone Bowlback

    I have a feeling that L&H fulfilled their contract orders by pulling items off their regular lines or even mixing and matching. This on looks somewhat close to an American Conservatory (mid-grade line circa 1912) with a Washburn-shaped headstock. Here is the American Conservatory line from 1912 along with descriptions.

    I guess that the border ornamentation on this eBay one is probably pearl inlaid into mastic which may explain why big chunks of the black stuff fell out.
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    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
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    Playing lately:
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  7. #6

    Default Re: Good Quality Supertone Bowlback

    Jim, something along those lines. I am sure. We know that Sears, Roebuck created the Supertone brand in 1915- and the label inside the mandolin was used until the mid 1920s. If it is early- 1915 or 1916 like the Supertone ad, then an L & H build similar to your illustrations would make sense.

  8. #7

    Default Re: Good Quality Supertone Bowlback

    No bids at $150- it just reminds us how little value these mandolins have it seems.

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