epiphone windsor artist model mandolin

[majicfingers]

I have in my possession a Epiphone Windsor model mandolin from around 1929.have not found any photos or heard of anyone owning one of these. I need more information about this mandolin. I feel it is rare.

[MikeEdgerton]

Take a look at this article.

Look at this message. Does yours look like that?

You can also look at this thread.

[majicfingers]

Take a look at this article.

Look at this message. Does yours look like that?

You can also look at this thread.

It's the one in the upper left. The catalouge drawing.

[MikeEdgerton]

Can you post a few pictures of it?

[jim simpson]

Thanks Mike for the links. It looks like the headstock is the same or similar to the headstocks used on the Masterbilt guitars (and the mandolin prototypes discussed recently).

[johnl]

majicfingers,
Look for a serial number inside the body of the mandolin (usually the f-hole on the bass side). It will be either written on the label (along with the model name) or stamped into the back just below the label (if it's stamped, it will probably be a four-digit number). The serial will help determine the year the mandolin was made.

[BradKlein]

How exciting. It sounds like you have a rare and valuable instrument.

I'm sure many folks here would appreciate seeing pictures, and hearing any stories you can share about this mandolin's history.

[mandolooter]

wow...great! Yes please post some pic's and/or a sound clip. I had the chance to acquire one of those a few years back and didn't...I regret it now of course!

[majicfingers]

Here are a few photos.
I included a photo of the label inside.

[johnl]

Wow, Majicfingers, that's a beauty! That serial number puts the year at 1941 (according to most sources), and that's consistent with the 'center-dip' headstock. Looks like you've got Windsor #4; congrats! And please post more pictures!

[MikeEdgerton]

And it's electric to boot. If you're looking to have it appraised for insurance purposes you might want to contact George Gruhn at www.gruhn.com. If you're looking to consign it for sale there are others you can contact as well. Mr. Gruhn will charge for his services but he will be able to provide you with documentation in the event of a loss.

[BradKlein]

Wonderful! Thanks so much for posting the photos.

Best wishes, and welcome to the Cafe.
You certainly know how to make an entrance!

[Capt. E]

I love the leaf and vine inlay on the headstock, the shape of the finger rest and the closed scroll. Very nice, very interesting. Certainly a rare instrument. Now we want to know what it sounds like.

[bluesmandolinman]

just when you thought you have seen them all

thanks for the pictures !

[John Rosett]

WOW!!
I heard a story a few years ago about one of those being found, but I've never seen a photo of one before.
Look out-Grisman will be calling you about it soon!

[majicfingers]

I thank all of you for the responses. My father still plays it. I will try to get some sound up. There are several holes in the face when the pick-up was installed.Besides that it is a beauty.Any information can be sent to my e-mail address at
larry_groobee@yahoo.com
It is for sale as soon as I have it appraised.
It is all very exciting. It is interesting that my Dad was know as
" Magic Fingers Morgan and his Magnificent Mandolin "
I guess they were right.

[majicfingers]

More photos....

[majicfingers]

Forgot these...

[John Rosett]

Well, I can see why so few of these exist.
The binding guy had to be institutionalized after he did a few of those scrolls.

[johnl]

Thanks for the pics, majicfingers! Can you tell us a little about your father and the mandolin? I'm assuming he's retired; did he perform solo or was he part of a band?

[Spruce]

It is for sale as soon as I have it appraised.

Oh, Dawwwwggg...

[10ton]

I have come across an Epiphone Windsor, "A" style. Looking for any information and interest that people have in these. It is a 1932. I know there has been threads in the past about values and so forth, but those threads are off-limits now, at least to me.

[jdchapman]

So, ironically, I just heard an interview with Grisman, who was looking for one of these for years and years. I gather he even begged for leads on them in the liner notes for the first Tone Poems release. He's got one now, but if he couldn't turn one up for looking, there can't be many of them out there. Congrats.

[Jim Garber]

Interesting... of the other Windsors I have in my jpg files that one has a pretty unique scroll. The others are open and will hold a strap.

[f5loar]

I wonder if the pickup is factory added or later added. Usually these were added later by the owner. That's a really nice one.