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Thread: 1898 ward and son/ Marano mandolin

  1. #1

    Default 1898 ward and son/ Marano mandolin

    Good morning
    Could anyone give me.any info on this please,is it worth anything?
    It seems.to be in quite good condition.Thank you for your time.
    I have pictures but not sure how.to attach them.

  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1898 ward and son/ Marano mandolin

    Pictures always help and very few bowlback mandolins (assuming it is, and at that age I would guess) carry a whole lot of monetary value. Many times these aren't what they appear to be. That's why we ask for pictures, otherwise we are just guessing at what you really have.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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  3. #3
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1898 ward and son/ Marano mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Pictures always help and very few bowlback mandolins (assuming it is, and at that age I would guess) carry a whole lot of monetary value. Many times these aren't what they appear to be. That's why we ask for pictures, otherwise we are just guessing at what you really have.
    Exactly. Beyond the fact that very many of these old bowlbacks are still around, demand is lower than for archtop mandolins, there is the issue of condition and playability.

    Many old bowlbacks have neck issues (often from neglect or having been strung with way-too-heavy strings) and it's really helpful to have a side view of the neck and fingerboard, including string action.

    Hence the need for pictures.

  4. #4
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1898 ward and son/ Marano mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Iant4871 View Post
    I have pictures but not sure how.to attach them.
    Go to the video on this link to see how to post photos.

    Michele Marano was a student of Italian maker Vinaccia. Vinaccia mandolins, especially the more ornate ones in excellent condition, have some value but unless yours is in superb condition and one of the upper end models, most likely it will not be worth all that much. Also, value varies on where you live. In North America, these are not so desirable, slightly more value in Europe from the few players who do use these.
    Jim

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  6. #5

    Default 1898 ward and son/ Marano mandolin

    Could anyone tell me if this is worth anything please,I have been left it and all I know is it was made in 1898.
    Thanks for your time.
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  7. #6
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1898 ward and son/ Marano mandolin

    I merged these threads.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  8. #7
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1898 ward and son/ Marano mandolin

    R. J. Ward was a music store in Liverpool from about 1840-1931. They started making brass instruments and made banjos and mandolins (according to this web site) starting around 1905. Evidently they imported this mandolin which was made by Marano in Napoli. It is also marked sistema De Meglio which refers to another maker from Napoli frequently imported into the UK around the same time.

    This mandolin looks decent but is nothing fancy and the condition, as far as I can tell from the photos, looks OK but nothing special. Might be worth a hundred pounds to someone but I would not expect any large sum of money. It also looks like it may need some restoration. The bridge looks like it is in the wrong position and is broken off at one end. Still is could be a decent player.
    Jim

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