Not a mando

**40bpm** · Nov-16-2007, 4:48pm

This is a vintage collectable "Washburn" Lyon & Healy made Bell tiple. Lyon and Healy's ukuleles are best known for their bell shaped designs. This is a wonderful prime example in outstanding condition BELL TIPLE No. 570B Style 5395.

This instrument is 26-3/4 " long with a 15"+ concert scale. The body is 12-5/8" long and is 11-1/8" at its widest point. It has a solid sprucetop and I believe Mahogany body and neck. The fretboard appears to be ebony. This has wonderful appointments such as ivroid top and bottom bindings. A black inlay down the center of the back. Black lines around soundhole with black raised binding around the soundhole rim which is unique and unusual. I love the design to the bridge with its high square top which is also unique.

Mr. Jan Lautzenheiser

**billkilpatrick** · Nov-16-2007, 5:05pm

looks wonderful - may we see the tuning platform? where do you suppose this "bell" shape came from?

**delsbrother** · Nov-16-2007, 6:17pm

Here's one from FRETS.com

**40bpm** · Nov-16-2007, 6:23pm

Is this what you are looking for?

The peghead overlay is missing as you can see, but John Saba of Dusty Strings in Seattle is making an exact duplicate of the original.

Sounds like 10 12-sting guitars when it sounds off.

Jan

**40bpm** · Nov-16-2007, 6:26pm

Here's one of the back.

Jan

**mandolooter** · Nov-17-2007, 7:55am

Nice!

**med** · Apr-24-2011, 1:26am

I just saw one of these in a shop today and I thought it was pretty great. Any idea what a reasonable asking price would be? It was in very good condition and totally playable. They wanted $2k for it.

**40bpm** · Apr-25-2011, 5:58pm

$2k is not unreasonable for one of these instruments. Mine was beautifully made and sounded huge. Intonation was a problem though as it is on most tiples. Too bad - they sound fabulous. If you pick it up please let us know.

Jan