Jonatnan Mandolin

[Jim P.]

Any input on this guy? It's advertised as a Martin copy, style A. Hard case looks old - opens in the front.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Vint...-/251322870765

Jim

[barney 59]

I was watching that myself and was quite convinced that it is Lyon and Healey Style "G". Sometimes labeled "Washburn". I had one just like it once -it was a sweet little thing.

[brunello97]

Like, Barney, I had an eye on this for awhile, too, as the curious label caught my eye. Not a Martin 'copy' at all, but one of a rash of flat-back canted-top mandolins to come out of Chicago in the '20s. The nice ones, like the L+H G, were very nice and remain one of the best $/value mandos out there. Jonathan sold for ~$220. About a $100 more than it would have gone for 4-5 years ago. 100% inflation on a $100 mandolin is not necessarily a bad thing, but word is getting out on these... If this is a L+H G with a jobber label, someone got a nice mandolin for a nice deal.

Mick

[Jim P.]

Thanks for your words of wisdom. ya know, you see these mandos and you wonder if they'd be worth a try. I suspected a L&H because of the top and the tail piece but was put off by the label. Based on your info - another bit of history to be stored in my brain cells.
(From where it will probably fall out in a day or so...)

Jim

[Capt. E]

I was also watching this one. I think you got a pretty good mandolin. The back and sides look like dark stained Rosewood, not mahogany. It is definitely looks like a Washburn/Lyon and Healy made instrument. Good buy.