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ARCHIVED TOPIC: Help with identifying this

Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.mandohangout.com/archive/51857

owachee - Posted - 10/03/2019: 15:37:56

Hello,

New to this forum and still learning to navigate around - hope to find out any information about this instrument.

Thanks,

owachee

Edited by - owachee on 10/03/2019 15:38:57

MandoTom2 - Posted - 10/03/2019: 16:56:54

Style-wise it is lovingly called a 'taterbug' mandolin, a 'rib-back' mandolin (due to the construction of the back) or a 'bowl-back' mandolin... Even a 'lute-back' mandolin...

It is the predecessor to ALL modern mandolins, no matter the style.

They were all over Europe and were often referred to as the 'poor man's violin'.

There are many pictures of mandolins in this style available free through 'Google Images' of such mandolins and featured especially in 'mandolin orchestras' in Europe and the early United States.

It is easy to see the link between the mandolin and it's predecessor, the lute.

Dollar-wise, if it's clean, playable and tunable, you're looking at $150 to $250 max.

They seem to be considered 'antiques', rather than viable musical instruments these days...

All the young folks want an 'F-style' like Bill Monroe.

If you've got a bit of a gut, like me, they be be a challenge to 'belly-up-to'...

Same problem with Ovation round-back guitars.

Hope this helps...

Tom

Edited by - MandoTom2 on 10/03/2019 17:06:08

MandoTom2 - Posted - 10/03/2019: 17:01:01

Google Images: "Antique Mandolins" - CLICK HERE...

Tom