1900s Bauer (Sears Acme) Bowlback Mandolin

The same fellow who owns an amazing Bauer "Sears Princeton" guitar also bought and now owns this amazing, same-trim bowlback mandolin. It's dressed to kill in an absurd amount of pearl, tons of rosewood ribs on the back, and engraved hardware.

Post-repairs it has a good, clean sound but doesn't have the warmth of a Vega or Larson bowlback. It sounds comparable to a Martin or Weymann instrument, though -- these are built for note separation and blending into an ensemble, Italian-mando-orchestra-style.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress and fret seating, bridge compensation, minor bowl separation repairs, and setup.

Setup notes: action is spot-on at a hair under 1/16" at the 12th fret, strung with 32w-9 GHS A240 "extra light" mando strings.

Condition notes: it's all-original throughout save for one tiny piece of missing pearl I replaced. There are no cracks and the finish shows wear and tear throughout but is overall in great shape. Frets are low and small.