Picked up this bowlback cheaply in a small shop. There are no labels or markings, but it’s likely turn-of-the-century. Aside from an obvious, rather ugly bowl repair, it’s in very good condition. The neck is much narrower than modern mandolins, so it takes some getting used to when playing.
I spotted this one in a shop window the other day and it caught my interest. I’ve only ever played flat-back mandolins, but I’ve recently developed an intrigue for bowlbacks.
Could this be a good “first bowlback experience”? It appears to be in structurally sound condition, although it is missing a bridge—I do have the skills to make a replacement. It has bar frets and some unusual strings.
I’m thinking it might be a German import, but I’m not sure. And at $30, it’s not exactly bank-breaking.
I was just heading down to throw some scrap in the recycling room of my apartment complex. just when you enter the room there's a small donation area you can leave stuff you don't want for others to pick up. on a shelf sat this 70s Grundig unit. it was in really good shape, so I took it.