Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

So, years back my folks found a really old Martin Bowlback mandolin pretty cheap at an estate sale and picked it up as a gift for me while I was living out west. Unfortunately, the intonation is terrible on it as the neck is completely twisted from years of probably having uneven tension while sitting around in someones closet etc. I have brought the Mandolin to a few experts and both stated that the bowlback is in absolutely amazing condition. There are absolutely no seam crack and has the original felt glued to the inside. It seems that it was refinished at some point, and there was an unfortunate re fret done on it at some point as well.

The tone that comes out of this girl is beautiful, unfortunately, she does not intonate so anything above the 4th or so fret doesn't sound very good. The gentleman that I spoke to here in NH suggested that I could have a compensated fretboard put on that would be ground to fit the altered profile of the neck which would be the least expensive way to make it playable again. Like I said there fret job done on this removed chips from the original fingerboard that were filled and the fretboard really doesn't do any justice to the instrument. But, also, it is a 90 year old instrument and everything with the exception of the frets is original.

So I am asking you insightful guys and gals for your opinion. Is it better to have a trophy piece that is unplayable or to have a classic mostly original instrument that you can play and sounds wonderful? The market on these old Mandos isn't what I would call lucrative anyway, the most desirable antique Mandolins are the F5 Gibsons without question.

I was told a fret board could be made and installed for around $600. And the luthier in question is a mandolin crafter who also happens to be one of the authorized Martin repair shops in my area. He hand carves his F5 style tops and is an exceptional woodworker. He also happens to be a big Rick enthusiast .

Get the fretboard made and fitted. That mandolin was made to be played!

The only exception to something like this would be a six-figure instrument or one with great historical value (it'd probaby be in that six-figure range anyway), in which case I'd sell it and buy something playable, unless you're in the museum business...

Since it's been refinished, do what is necessary to make it playable. You'll get much more joy out of it that way.

I have been wanting to do something with her for a long time, and would really get a ton of enjoyment out of hearing what she is intended to sound like. And since it was a gift from my parents, who were by the way so proud of themselves for finding it I could probably never part with it anyway . I was also told that the top is still extremely flat for its period and that the original bracing is in exceptionally good shape. Has the original tortoise shell pick guard and tuners on it.

It has it's original leather case which is in excellent shape. The gentleman noted that he has never seen one with the original handle intact. The leather straps holding that close the case are very worn but still functional. The case has some initials embossed onto the top, so I would assume it was made for someone in particular.

The refin, from what he could tell was only a topcoat over the original finish. What I would presume to be varnish. It wasn't completely stripped.

I will take some pictures later on to upload of its current condition. I am hoping to get it into his shop at some point this winter.

Darkhollow wrote:I will take some pictures later on to upload of its current condition.

Please do! We'd love to see such a vintage instrument.

Darkhollow wrote: I was told a fret board could be made and installed for around $600. And the luthier in question is a mandolin crafter who also happens to be one of the authorized Martin repair shops in my area. He hand carves his F5 style tops and is an exceptional woodworker. He also happens to be a big Rick enthusiast .

Justin, I think that I know who you are talking about. Its probably the same guy who bought my '65 360/12 with broken peghead. I heard he fixed it up as good as new. I can't recall his name at the moment.....Douglas...Jack? Its been about eight years if its the same guy.

jwilli wrote:

Darkhollow wrote: I was told a fret board could be made and installed for around $600. And the luthier in question is a mandolin crafter who also happens to be one of the authorized Martin repair shops in my area. He hand carves his F5 style tops and is an exceptional woodworker. He also happens to be a big Rick enthusiast .

Justin, I think that I know who you are talking about. Its probably the same guy who bought my '65 360/12 with broken peghead. I heard he fixed it up as good as new. I can't recall his name at the moment.....Douglas...Jack? Its been about eight years if its the same guy.

Jack O'Brian? He is a Mandolin builder up in Jeffrey NH. If so, yeah that is him. Last time I was up there I mentioned I wanted him to adjust my Rick on my next visit and we wound up discussing Rickenbackers for quite a while.

Here are some photos of the Madnolin:

And yes this table would have made some wonderful Ricks!

You can see the chip out of the fretboard on the 19'ish fret.

The neck twist is very obvious in the second picture.

The case is almost cooler than the, um, Madnolin [sic]!

Oh, what a treasure! Have it made playable immediately, by all means. (my .002)

kiramdear wrote:Oh, what a treasure! Have it made playable immediately, by all means. (my .002)

Girl, you certainly don't give much, do you? .002

Yes, Jack O'Brien. Thats him. Great reputation. I'd like to know how the '65 360/12 is doing.

jwilli wrote:Yes, Jack O'Brien. Thats him. Great reputation. I'd like to know how the '65 360/12 is doing.

Wow John that is too funny. What a small world, next time I am making a run up there I will certainly ask him about it. His shop is right behind his house so maybe I can swindle some pictures of the guitar and the repair for you as well.

He mentioned he had quite a few, maybe 6 if I recall. I will try and see if I get get them into the registry also.