Blasius bowlback

[Lee]

Well, here goes.
It's been in the family since the early 1900's. Bowlback, nice inlayed fingerboard. Sticker inside says Blasius & Sons, and the address I believe being 1017-1019 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
Googling has revealed a Blasius piano concern at this location from 1890's to about 1920. Another referenced the Blasius mandolin may be a Gretsch manufacture.
My next recourse is to ask Fred Oster. Thought I'd give the collective wisdom of the Cafe a chance first.
Sorry, I have no digital camera.
And to think of the thougtless abuse I gave it when I was kid. It's in remarkably nice condition.

[Jim Garber]

Hard to make any definitive ID without photos, however, I would guess that Blasius sold mandolins under their label but that they were made by other concerns. George Bauer was a prominent maker in Phildelphia. I am not sure why the Mugwunps site says "Gretsch?" in their listing of this brand but maybe there is some connection.

Have someone photo it for you and post some pics and I am sure we can come to some consensus.

Jim

[Lee]

Pardon the disposable instamatic.

[Lee]

Lets turn that upright. The tuners are enclosed behind a plate on the back. Unfortunately no engravings on the plate.

[Lee]

And the side.
The neck is still straight, there's no structural damage, it's in playable condition. Though if were going to make it into a "player" and not worry about originality, I'd get the frets leveled and put new tuners on it.
There's no serial number. Tomorrow I'll post exactly what the inside label says.

[Bob A]

You may already be aware of this point, Lee, but it can't be said too often (to keep folks from wrecking fine old bowlbacks): do NOT use bluegrass-gauge strings on bowlbacks. They are far too heavy, and will warp the neck and/or destroy the neck joint in short order.

While I think Martin may make strings of suitable gauge, GHS does make a "classical" set. Others are available, for twice the price, from a few sources in the US. (Lots of bowlback folks have issues with GHS. I do not). Lenzner makes a few sets, one with a wound A string, one with plain; Dogal Calace in light gauge is also nice. Both of these brands will last seemingly forever (though the wound A is a bit more fragile).

Looks like a very pretty mandolin. Glad you didn't wreck it as a kid. (I cringe to think back on my youthful vandalisms, mostly unintentional).

[8ch(pl)]

It could be made by Weymann, they did mostly banjos, but made a number of mandolins. Look for a 5 digit serial number stamped in the end of the headstock.