1930s Galiano (Strad-O-Lin) Archtop Mandolin

This guy has a Galiano label in the soundhole which is identical to earlier Galiano-labeled instruments made by Kay, Oscar Schmidt, and the like in the 1920s. It's just a retailer's mark. Under normal circumstances, this would be branded "Strad-O-Lin" -- which is how we know most of these mandolins. These were made by United in New Jersey -- or the factory that became United, at any rate.

This is an early model with an oval soundhole, purfled edges (violin-style), and an outrageously-good voice. It needed a bit of work -- it got a fret level/dress, brace reglue, new adjustable bridge modified and fit, a new set of tuners, a hairline crack repair, seam repairs, and setup stuff.

The top seems to be flatsawn... pine... maybe! The back and sides are figured maple. It's a player's instrument, for sure, and it sounds just as good as it looks bad -- if that makes sense! It's been a rough traveler for some time, it seems.