1900s Bauer (Sears Acme) Bowlback Mandolin

Update 2024: This is back in the shop for resale so I've updated the description where necessary and added a video.

Overview: This Bauer-made, Sears-brand, ACME mandolin dressed to kill in an absurd amount of pearl, tons of rosewood ribs on the back, and engraved hardware.

Tone: 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.

Feel: The neck is very typical for the time with a medium V shape to the rear and a flat board with low/small frets. It's ideal for sliding-note, tremolo playing in the Italian tradition.

Interesting features: The "mystic" pearl inlay in the headstock is a treat in itself -- like the stuff on old 1890s-era banjos. Add to that plenty of binding, an inlaid pickguard, and inlaid purfling and you've got a winning amount of bling.

Repairs included: It's had a fret level/dress and fret seating, bridge compensation, minor bowl separation repairs, and setup. The action is spot-on at a hair under 1/16" at the 12th fret, strung with 32w-9 GHS A240 "extra light" mando strings.

• Weight: 1 lb 2 oz
• Scale length: 13 1/8"
• Nut width: 1 1/8"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: flat
• Body width: 7 3/4"
• Body depth: 6"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid rosewood
• Bracing type: ladder
• Bridge: ebony
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 32w-9 extra light
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: low/small

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. The frets are low and small, as per the usual for the time.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: BSM