josv - Posted - 12/11/2012:  05:37:08

Hi!

I am new to this nice community, and as such I thought I should break in my account, and share my latest mandolin.

I recently acquired a 12-stringed Levin model 370 from 1945. I bought it from a internet auction, and paid about $120 for it. ( 800 Swedish krona). It came with the original hard case, and sounds very nice!

It was built using Romanian spruce for the top, and some nice, flamed birch in side and bottom. The fret board is made out of rosewood (also known as jacaranda or palisander wood).

To judge from the price list from 1947, with four more expensive models, and 5 models that cost less, the most expensive were 325:00 and the cheapest 48:00, it was a midrange instrument for 105:00.

The only other 12-stringed model in the range, model no 375, were 85:00. (the currency=Swedish Krona). (The more expensive models came with a 10 year warranty, the other had 1 year).

The carrying case is the same, the Levin no 617 carrying case for mandolins, which cost 32 swedish Kronor, in 1947. the other two available models of mandolin cases, cost 27.50 and 40.00 respectively.

Jim Yates - Posted - 12/12/2012:  08:12:30

Very nice.  How do you like playing 3 string courses?  Canadian Painter Tom Thompson had a twelve string mandolin with four 3 string courses.

Tom Thompson's mandolin

Edited by - Jim Yates on 12/12/2012 08:14:33

josv - Posted - 12/14/2012:  03:46:01

quote:

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Originally posted by Jim Yates

Very nice.  How do you like playing 3 string courses?  Canadian Painter Tom Thompson had a twelve string mandolin with four 3 string courses.

Tom Thompson's mandolin

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 Hi, Jim!

Thank you for your comment!

Well, I must say that I experience it just a little more difficult than the 8 string. The reason is that it is a little more difficult to pick all three strings in each stroke. But otherwise I must say I don't have any real issues with it.. It has a nice tremeloe effect if you strike the strings slowly. I will try to make a recording of it, to share the sound with this forum.  Right now I have d'Addario J73 (.010) on... But I am thinking of trying the 011 instead, to get a little more twang in the sound.

Jim Yates - Posted - 12/14/2012:  07:46:36

So three sets of strings will do two string changes.

I've not had any experience with Levin/Goya mandolins, but I do own a Goya guitar from the Gothenburg days and I find these to be highly under rated instruments.  My 1958 M-26 was a real sleeper.  I paid less than $400 Canadian and got a top notch instrument.  Since your mandolin was from the same era, I would guess it to be of the same quality.

The Levin company branded their instruments meant for the North American market with the name Goya and those intended for the European market with the name Levin.

The Martin Company later obtained the Goya name, but used it for a line of entry level imports.

Edited by - Jim Yates on 12/14/2012 08:04:59

Jim Yates - Posted - 12/14/2012:  08:15:50

I just went to your homepage and see that you have an eight string Levin and a Levin guitar.  I also just noticed that you are from Sweden, so are probably very familiar with the Levin instruments.

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Edited by - Jim Yates on 12/14/2012 08:18:42

josv - Posted - 12/14/2012:  12:46:03

Yep, you're right at all points! :)



My 8-string Levin mod 52 is a nice one as well, even though it isn't high-end. I paid about 470 SEK for it at an auction, which then was about 70 USD. My recording of Father O'Flynn is made with the 8 string..



The guitar is a model 62, from 1942, and that is a real low-end budget model.. sounds almost as a banjo, But I will post threads about those instruments as well.....  (at least the mandolin)

:)



As a curiosity, I have heard, even though I haven't been able to verify it, that the guitar used by Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music motin picture, actually was a Goya, but, as I said, I haven't been able to verify it.. :) (haven't seen it after I heard that, so I really can't say if it's true or not... :)

 

Edited by - josv on 12/14/2012 12:48:36

Jim Yates - Posted - 12/14/2012:  13:03:12

Yes, Julie Andrews did play a Goya in the movie.  This seems odd, since the Goya brand was only used for instruments exported to North America. 

My first guitar, bought in 1960 was a used Goya M-26 and I paid $75 for it.  I was always sorry I sold it to buy a Gibson and when I found the one I have now 5 or 6 years ago, I bought it right away.

My Goya M-26

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Julie Andrews “Maria” acoustic guitar, autographed by Andrews, from The Sound of Music. (TCF, 1965) Goya acoustic guitar serial number 1 70025. Autographed by Julie Andrews. Case is velvet lined and once owned by Stan Freberg. Used by Julie Andrews as Maria in Sound of Music.

Edited by - Jim Yates on 12/14/2012 13:13:53