1935 Strad-O-Lin Fancypants Archtop Mandolin

Overview: This is a killer-sounding old Strad and has a 1935 date stamp right on the interior backstrip. We'd initially repaired it for the owner to take home, but as he has a plethora of mandolins, it came back in for resale just recently. I like the sound of most Strads, but this one is definitely several notches up the food chain as it's louder, punchier, and more-cutting than your average one, as befits its fancier trim and materials. I'm not sure what model this is, but it's much more of a pro instrument and has a sound similar to a good Gibson A-50.

It has a solid spruce top over solid, flamed maple back and sides. I'm not sure if the top and back are press-arched or carved, but both have the cool, recessed, Strad-style "purfling" strips of celluloid at their edges. The fretboard is layered to give a cool effect at its edges and the sides of the body also have "pinstripe" purfling effects. The original pickguard is slightly truncated (it had been cut for a pickup at one point) but looks snazzy, anyhow. Even the neck is 2-piece, figured maple.

Repairs included: This guy got a neck reset, seam repairs, a level/dress of the frets, new adjustable bridge fit, cleaning, side dots fit, and setup work done. As I recall, the work was a mix of Tim's, Sarah's, and Mine. It's playing spot-on and ready to serve.

• Weight: 1 lb 12 oz
• Scale length: 13 3/4"
• Nut width: 1 3/16"
• Neck shape: medium C
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 0.86"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.95"
• Body width: 9 5/8"
• Body depth: 2"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple
• Bracing type: x
• Bridge: ebony adjustable new
• Fretboard: ebonized maple
• Neck wood: figured maple
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 34w-10
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: narrow/low

Condition notes: This has a ton of wear and tear to the finish but it looks more "grand old man" than "garbage scow." The pickguard has been reshaped at its end due to a cutout fit for a pickup at some point, though Tim followed the sweep of the fretboard extension's end and it looks nice. It has a new bridge. The heel cap is missing. Some of the old seam repairs near the endblock are not super-tidy but they are stable. 

It comes with: As I recall, this has a chip case.

Consignor tag: PMUR