winkmader - Posted - 12/02/2012:  17:18:34

Greetings!  I was hoping to get a mandolin for Christmas, and I was browsing an antique store in La Crosse, WI and my wife stumbled across this labeled "stringed-instrument".  I thought that the $20 price tag seemed fair, considering it had no bridge or tailpiece with it.  There are also no markings on the mandolin, leading me to believe it is a handmade mando.  There are also several other touches on the mandolin that leads me to assume it is handmade, including the soundhole which is somewhat unevenly cutout.  

I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions about getting this set-up to play, what sort of bridge/tailpiece to get, or had any sort of information on the mandolin.  Here is a link to more pictures if you are interested.

TI_USER - Posted - 12/02/2012:  19:15:18

Sweet!  I like it.  There's something about a really cheap mandolin find that always excites me.  You might want to have that separation above the tailpiece area checked out before you string it up.  Although the pressure from tailpiece and strings might be enough to keep it from coming apart.  It would look nice with one of the clamshell style tailpieces.  You can get one from Stew-Mac.

stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tail...iece.html

Also a bridge for a flat-top mandolin would be necessary.

elderly.com/accessories/items/MA4.htm

winkmader - Posted - 12/02/2012:  19:31:16

Thanks for the reply! I could not turn it down for $20! I was thinking the clamshell from Stew-Mac would be the way to go. I'm curious as to how old this guy is. I would imagine the bowl backs are the oldest, not sure when the A style came around. If you look at the link for the rest of the pictures there are some closer up shots that show the age of it a little bit better. Any recommendations for cleaning the bridge? Also any thoughts on a pick guard?

winkmader - Posted - 12/02/2012:  19:57:32

Another question - what are the tuning buttons made of? Bone? Ivory? Plastic? None of the above?

Tuning Pegs

TSSN - Posted - 12/02/2012:  20:17:23

Keep us posted on your progress.

Woodman - Posted - 12/02/2012:  21:29:55

quote:

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Originally posted by TSSN

Keep us posted on your progress.

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X2. I'd like to know how it sounds to you when you get it playable. I'd be fantasizing an "Ugly Duckling" scenario.