1930s Unmarked (United) Refinished Flatback Mandolin

Overview: This mandolin is a true oddball. It looks like a late-1930s product made in the United (New Jersey) factory as it has ply back and sides and a few other features I associate with them, though it's also very close in some ways to Regal output at the time, too. It's been poorly refinished and stained, however, in a schloppy brushed-on varnish of some sort that has finish drips here and there. At some point, someone modified the headstock to be able to fit short-shaft tuners meant for a mandolin with a coverplate and tuner cavities on the back of the headstock. The original frets were also replaced with bar stock of some sort. In short -- it's funky!

Tone: It's woody and sweet with a good amount of volume.

Feel: It's got a pretty pog-standard neck shape -- a medium-depth C with a flat fretboard.

Interesting features: As noted -- the strange tuner install, the quirky bar frets, and the refinish job are the highlights, here. The funny thing is, that despite all of the oddities, it's turned into a quick-playing, good-sounding instrument.

Repairs included: I gave it a fret level/dress, bridge compensation, mild cleaning, side dots, and setup.

• Weight: 1 lb 12 oz
• Scale length: 14"
• Nut width: 1 3/16"
• Neck shape: medium C
• Board radius: flat
• Body width: 9 1/2"
• Body depth: 2 3/4"
• Top wood: solid birch
• Back & sides wood: ply birch
• Bracing type: ladder
• Bridge: ebonized maple
• Fretboard: ebonized maple
• Neck wood: poplar
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 36w-10
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: lower/smaller

Condition notes: It's refinished, has replaced tuners, a modified headstock, replaced frets, and is overall funky throughout. It's structurally good to go and sturdy, however, and would make a great "folk mandolin" for take-anywhere purposes.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: JW