Vintage Washburn Cremonatone

[TxMagik]

Wahburn cremonatone Serial No. 117097 #any information or pointers to info is appreciated....thanks

[pklima]

It was probably made before 1910 - that's about when Washburn dropped the "Cremonatone" from the label. Those mandolins were built for much lighter strings than the vast majority of mandos today, so use ultra-light strings only - .032-.009 or thereabouts. Value depends on condition and model, but in general American bowlbacks are sadly undervalued. Can you post a photo or two?

[TxMagik]

Thanks Peter....I am working on some pics. I didn't expect it to be very valuable...just wondering if it needed insuring. Is there a web site/book, etc., that might provide a ball park value?

[Eugene]

Greetings, TxMagik. You can see a little discussion of such things by clicking here. Unfortunately, no. There is almost no printed literature on bowlback values in the US. Washburn was originally the premier brand of the Lyon & Healy company (L&H). While they were decent product, L&H was the world's biggest music manufacturer at that time; unfortunately this means their product is massively abundant and not too valuable. Assuming good, playable condition ("playable" is the key term), values typically range from ca. US$200 for entry-level models to the lower US$1,000s for the really fancy 19th-c. models. This estimate represents my limited regional experience. Fingerboards in solid mother of pearl and elaborate inlaid butterflies of abalone shell constituted "really fancy" in Washburn's model scheme. There should be a style number stamped somewhere in/on your mandolin, TxMagik. Can you find it?

[TxMagik]

Eugene,
I looked at the discussion you linked me to...thanks...some good info there. That helps...I'll re-examine it for a style designation...and try to get some pics, as well...

[pklima]

If you can't find a style number, a count of the ribs which comprise the back is a pretty good substitute. And if you're located near College Station in Texas, I could take a look at your mando personally.

[TxMagik]

Thanks again, Peter
I am in Fort Worth...unfortunately the mando is in Borger..a long ways fron College Station. I asked a friend to count the ribs...she says 35...that sound right? or give you any clues?
she is trying to make some pics...but is having focus problems with her camera. Would a slightly out of focus pic help?

M

[pklima]

Yes, fuzzy photos are useful. Is your friend counting the light-colored spacers between the ribs? If not, you have a pretty nice model - the most basic and most common style 215 had only 15 ribs.

If you can get a measurement of the action at the 12th fret, that's a pretty good indicator of instrument health - it shouldn't be more than 2 mm.

[TxMagik]

Peter
I am new to this group...is there a way to attach a pic to this message...or do I need to post it elsewhere...or can I email it direct to you?
Thanks again,
M

[keef]

Based on this serial number 1900 would be the likely year of manufacture...

[pklima]

Yes, you can make a new post with an attached image. If you can't it to work, you email the photo to me and I'll post it.

[TxMagik]

Peter,
Here is a pic of the back. Any help as to model? Thanks as always.
M

[TxMagik]

keef
thanks for the date info...is there a reference I can cite...or is this from your experience?

M

[keef]

personal research...I have collected data and serial numbers on hundreds of old Washburns...like Neil.

BTW: I haven't seen the top of your mando (pls post pic..) - if it has 34 ribs, it's a style 160, 36 ribs is a style 175, 42 ribs a style 1125.

[nar]

Hi TxMagik.
Have you looked on the very end of the peghead [thin edge] for the serial and model number? If it is a 100 series, the number will be stamped there along with the serial number. The models 1125 and 175 had maple necks. this one is either Mahogany or Spanish cedar.
Neil

[TxMagik]

thanks Neil and keef..
Checked the peg head all around...no #s there. any other place I should look?

M

[keef]

A pic of the front would help....or a description.

[TxMagik]

here's a pic of the front..there's some missing binding, i see. as i mentioned, i don't have the mando in my possession...i am researching for a friend...so i had to wait till she could make a digital pic. thanks to all for any info....
M

[nar]

Hi there
What you have judging from the photo is a model 160.Made from about 1896 to about 1904.The only Washburn mandolins with the pearl and ebony binding was the 1125 and the 160. The 1125 had a pearl covered board. The number 160 is stamped on the very end of the peghead. The 100 series where the only mandolins Washburn did this on. I might add I have dozens of Washburn mandolins and this is only the second model 160 I have seen
Neil

[TxMagik]

many thanks, Neil. i'll have her look again for a model/style #...but she hasn't found anything as yet.

[keef]

Here's another 160 -now on Ebay..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....y=33048

[MyMando]

Just as TxMagik is requesting info about his Washburn Cremonatone Mandolin, I also request info and estimates about the value concerning mine. I have a Washburn Cremonatone Mandolin, Model # 122, S/N: 124759 , 13 ribs, [on glued-on paper seals inside bowl:] "The New Washburn Latest Model", "Highest Award At World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893 [Star printed] Gold Medal And Diploma Of Honor, Antwerp, 1894.", and the guarantee seal: "The Material and Workmanship Of This Washburn Instrument Cremonatone. No 124759 Fully guaranteed for the term of one year from the date of original purchase provided this label is not mutilated. [Stamped in red ink:] Trademark Cremonatone Registered". It is an heirloom and appears in good condition. There appears to be slight warping of the wood beneath the pickguard. Otherwise, I do not observe any visible defects. I don't know how to judge whether or not it is playable, unfortunately. I will attempt to provide a recent picture of the Cremonatone. I have a few other pictures which are close-ups of parts of the Cremonatone. Thanks!

[Eugene]

I'm not certain what info you're seeking just because you seem to have quite a bit of info on the piece already. This is a rather basic model, and that era's Washburns are hugely abundant; thus, unfortunately, yours is not hugely valuable. Your acknowledgment that the soundboard may be distorted is a little concerning. That potentially is a rather serious issue.

[MyMando]

Many thanks, Eugene, for providing the information you did regarding my Washburn Cremonatone Mandolin!
I was most interested in finding out its estimated monetary value. Your reply both gave me a firm idea of what it's likely worth on the market, and why. It is very satisfying to me to have that question resolved, one way or the other, from a knowledgeable source such as yourself!
Again, many thanks! [BTW, I obtained a copy of Pleijsier's "Washburn Prewar Instrument Styles", to see if the book contained some estimate of the mandolin's value, based upon the book being mentioned in a different thread. Your post clearly stated what the book appeared only to hint at--its value on the market. Thanks for saving me a visit to an appraiser!]

[Wheatkendal]

I just purchased a washburn cremonatone bowlback mandolin.I know very little about mandolins.It is style 275 and fhe serial number is 209667.I would like to find a value on the instrument.I appreciate any help anyone can give me thank you!