1906 Martin Style 3 Bowlback Mandolin

Very pretty, no? Aside from a missing tailpiece cover, this old Martin bowlback is in terribly-good shape and was almost ready to go when it arrived here. Martin was really trying to impress with their bowlbacks and all of the construction details are first-rate, clean, and well-executed. I mean, you expect that for the company, but still...

The sound of Martin bowlbacks isn't as bottom-heavy as Vega or Larson instruments of similar style, but it's articulate, clean, and has great projection. When you're "out front" of this it's a lot louder and fuller-sounding than it is from behind. Clearly, it's suited to an orchestra or lead/fill role more than a chop-chord thwacker.

Style 3 denotes more ribs on the back than the entry-level Style 1, fancy pearl inlay in the pickguard, a pearl ring in the rosette, cream/ivory trim around the top edge, and nice pearl in the board, too.

Post-repairs, it plays on-the-dot and is ready to go.

Repairs included: reglue of the headstock graft (it'd separated a bit and chipped-out at the volute on the rear of the headstock -- see pics), a fret level/dress, light compensation of the original bridge, cleaning, and setup.

Setup notes: action is perfect at a hair-under 1/16" at the 12th fret, the neck is straight, and it's strung with GHS A240 32w-9 gauge strings. I wouldn't go heavier on the strings, mind you. The frets are original and in good order but low and small... which is typical for the period.

Scale length: 13"

Nut width: 1 3/16"

String spacing at nut: 1 1/16"

String spacing at bridge: 1 1/2"

Body length: 12 1/4"

Top width: 7 3/4"

Side depth: ~5"

Top wood: solid spruce

Back/sides wood: solid Brazilian rosewood

Bracing type: ladder, scalloped

Fretboard: ebony

Bridge: ebony w/bone saddle

Neck feel: slim-to-medium C-shape, flat board

Condition notes: while the finish has weather-checking throughout and has aged a bunch, the instrument is overall in pretty good shape. It's missing its tailpiece cover. There's an old hairline repair to some seam separation on the back of the bowl (you'd have to look for it), but there are no real cracks. The headstock on these is grafted onto the neck and that'd come loose with some chip-out at the volute, so I reglued it and it's good to go.