Back in 1963 my Dad and I went and picked up this bowl back mandolin, a banjo mandolin and an ancient string bass that top was made with 3” strips of wood.
I was then taking plectrum banjo lessons and my Dad was studying on this mandolin. I heard it played and played on it all of my young life.
I play mando and have a couple of nice A models but I starting trying to make this playable again. It needs some major work, part of the top has lifted, I fashioned a new nut and just trying to get it playable again. This was the first mandolin I ever played on. I got the bug in 71’ when Maggie May came out. I really do like bowl backs, my Italian friend had a fantastic playing one but since her Aunt played it she wanted to keep it.
ID, it has no label, I see the headstock matches Weymanns but the tortoise shell shape (guard), headstock, pearl around the body looks like an simple Mannello. I’ve seen another one with an eagle on the body but none have the headstock star inlay. I wonder if it was made for Bruno?
