Update 2021: I worked on this back in 2011 and now it's back here for resale, so I've updated the entry entirely.
The serial number on the headstock points to 1916 per several Weymann serial number lists and it looks like mid-teens, too. These old Mandolutes are very pretty instruments and they're high quality as well. They were built with care and you can see it in all of the details -- "violin" edging to the sides, rope-style purfling, an "arched" body shape that's thicker in the middle and thinner at the endblock and neckblock, a thin, Martin-like finish, and quality fittings throughout.
These are not modern-sounding mandolins, though, and have neither the crisp or woody pop of a carved-top instrument, nor the clean/sparkly bowlback classical voice, nor the typical warm/mellow woodiness of a flatback. These are refined and sound somewhat like a hybrid of all three -- sort-of what people want a good bowlback to sound like. From out front they have more warmth and presence than from behind, though, so the voice can be misleading unless you're the listener. From the player's perspective they often sound a little thin and midsy but from the listener's perspective they're clean, balanced, and articulate with a woody, darker presence in the lower-mids.
When it came in the first time it needed a bridge, fret level/dress, and setup -- and then it was playing spot-on. It arrived back here in the same perfectly-playing condition but needed some dryness-induced hairline cracks fixed on the back. So, now that those are done, it's once again good to go.
Repairs included: (previously) fret level/dress, setup, new bridge (and recently) crack repairs on back, side dots install, fresh setup
Made by: Weymann
Model: Style 20 Mandolute
Made in: Philadelphia, PA, USA Serial number: 20194
Top wood: solid spruce
Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple
Bracing type: ladder
Bridge: ebony
Fretboard: ebony
Neck wood: mahogany
Tone: clean, sustained, good woody lower-mids, "Celtic"-y
Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast) String gauges: 32w-9 GHS A240 set (10s ok, too, but 9s are better)
Neck shape: medium C
Board radius: flat
Neck relief: straight
Fret style: small/narrow
Scale length: 13 1/2"
Nut width: 1 1/8"
Body length: 12 5/8"
Body width: 9 1/8"
Body depth: 3"
Weight: 1 lb 11 oz
Condition notes: it's clean overall except for a couple of repaired hairline cracks on the back -- one long, one shorter. They're cleated and good to go. Otherwise everything is all-original except for the bridge. There's an owner's name engraved on the Waverly tailpiece cover. It does have a couple of vintage-style strap buttons installed, too.
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