Anyone identify this mandolin?

robinbowes

A friend is selling this mandolin, which belonged to her Grandad.



Anyone know what it is?

thermionic

Randy Rhoads model.

robinbowes

Surely it's a rare early Zemaitis?

Kittyfrisk

Haven't a clue as to the make, but it has something of the look of pre war Rickenbacker lap steels about it.

SteveRobinson

It could probably do with new strings?

robinbowes

SteveRobinson said:

It could probably do with new strings?

I'm getting it so see if I can fix it up and make a decent noise with it, so yes - new strings will be required

R.

Henrytwang

I haven’t a clue who made it but it looks cool.

robinbowes

Henrytwang said:

I haven’t a clue who made it but it looks cool.

I thought so. Hope it's playable!

ICBM

The pickup is also a little like a very old National Silvo. Not sure who made it, but it's *very* old and potentially valuable - at least historically, if not necessarily as an instrument - so I would strongly advise her *not* to put it up for sale until more research can be done. Or it could even be a handmade one-off, and hence not worth that much - very hard to tell without finding something similar, or taking it apart and having a look how it's made. I would guess it's 1930s-40s, anyway - 50s at the latest.

icu81b4

Looks like the instrument cable matches the instrument. 

robinbowes

ICBM said:

The pickup is also a little like a very old National Silvo. Not sure who made it, but it's *very* old and potentially valuable - at least historically, if not necessarily as an instrument - so I would strongly advise her *not* to put it up for sale until more research can be done. Or it could even be a handmade one-off, and hence not worth that much - very hard to tell without finding something similar, or taking it apart and having a look how it's made. I would guess it's 1930s-40s, anyway - 50s at the latest.

I shall know more when I arrange to pick it up from her some time...

daisie_guitar

It's crying out for a Bigsby upgrade.

drofluf

You could ask on mandolincafe.com - some very knowledgeable people there about mandolins

robinbowes

drofluf said:

You could ask on mandolincafe.com - some very knowledgeable people there about mandolins

Thanks, I'll check it out.

R.