Mandolin History

Subject: Mandolin History
From: GUEST,ozmacca
Date: 13 May 02 - 08:16 PM

Can anybody help with the history of the maker of a mandolin my Department of Domestic Operations has been playing for about 16 years. We picked it up through a newspaper ad and nobody seems to know the name at all, although we have been told by a luthier friend that it could be from the twenties.

It's a flat back "F" hole design with a pronounced swelling to the top and yer actual standard tear-drop plan. The whole thing is a dull varnished medium brown with a painted white edge to the top. The very plain head has the remains of a transfer which reads,

AMERICAN Standard made i...

and that's it. Now I know this doesn't seem much of a mandolin, but it has a great sound, and, although the action is a little high for my good lady, and needs some adjustment, it would be nice to know a bit about the maker of the first instrument she learned to play.

Help!!

Subject: RE: Mandolin History
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 13 May 02 - 09:00 PM

American Standard is a leading manufacturer of bathroom plumbing. I hope that isn't reflected in your mando's sound.

Seriously, somebody here will know it, maybe Fielding, Spaw, or Rex Rideout if'n he's around.

Subject: RE: Mandolin History
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 13 May 02 - 09:30 PM

There aren't a lot of good books on mando history, but most of the guitar makers also made them. The "American" sounds like one of those "brands" that Sear & Sawbucks or Monkey Wards used to sell by mail order in the twenties. My dad had one (of the mail order ones), but the decal was worn off before I saw it.

If I can manage to get out and about to my neighborhood Borders reading room, I'll try to get a look at a couple of the "history books" that may have had something in them. Meanwhile - stand by for someone who actually knows something.....

John

Subject: RE: Mandolin History
From: Wesley S
Date: 14 May 02 - 01:32 PM

Ozmacca - You might also want to post this question over on the message board at www.mandolincafe.com. There's a lot of knowledgeable folks over there too. Good luck.

Subject: RE: Mandolin History
From: GUEST,ozmacca
Date: 15 May 02 - 06:44 PM

Thanks for help so far. Mandolin certainly could be a generic from a store catalogue or something along those lines. But we may be luckier than most for it certainly sounds a helluva lot better than many newer (and more expensive) models....

Mind you, Lonesome EJ, I always did wonder about the three-eights brass compression union just below the fingerboard, and the wife always complains about the U bend getting in the way when she tries for a C sharp.

Subject: RE: Mandolin History
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 16 May 02 - 12:49 PM

Could have been manufactured near Flushing Meadows, NY, I suppose, oz.

Subject: RE: Mandolin History
From: GUEST,ozmacca
Date: 16 May 02 - 09:46 PM

Thanks Lonesome .... and if I need any more a-cistern-ce like that, I'll seat right down and wait for it to roll up. So pipe down. And you'll notice I haven't mentioned ballcock yet.

Subject: RE: Mandolin History
From: Stewie
Date: 17 May 02 - 04:11 AM

Oz, I'm impressed. That's cut above the usual lavatory humour around here!

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Mandolin History
From: GUEST,Rex at work
Date: 21 May 02 - 02:44 PM

The brown finish and white painted edge suggest that it was made by one of the Chicago factory makers, Kay, Harmony, Regal. Probably in the 40's or the 50's. I haven't seen that name before.

Rex

Subject: RE: Mandolin History
From: GUEST,ozmacca
Date: 21 May 02 - 07:26 PM

Rex - Just seen your post. Much thanks for info. The name Harmony is interesting, as I've just posted a new thread asking for any gen on a guitar belonging to a friend of mine - and it carries the name Harmony Paloma.