1910s Calvert Parker "Bandola" Flatback Teardrop Mandolin

This is the second one of these Calvert Parker (he was active in Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire during the 1900s-1920s) mandolins that I've had the chance to log into the blog. The first one was a bound-board, later model (click here). Farther back in time, I actually had an exploded one of these that I wound-up, as I recall, stripping for parts and bits to use on other instruments as it was too far gone.

Suffice to say, after a bit of suffering on Ancel's part repairing a damaged fretboard, cleating cracks, and doing some fretwork and a milder amount of suffering on my part during setup and final adjustments, it now plays spot-on and is ship-shape and ready to go.

It has a stupid amount of fret access, an endearing pint-sized shape, clean aesthetic, and a bowlback-like, clean sound as well. It's solid spruce over solid birch, has a mahogany neck, and ebonized-maple (or the like) fretboard and bridge.