Antique Musical Instruments/My Dad's Mandolin

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Expert: Jim Garber - 9/22/2008


Question
I have my dad's mandolin which has an American Conservertory sticker inside the bowl. He was born in 1916 and I believe this to be an antique.  Can you tell me what it might be worth?  It is in very good condition.

Answer
Hi Nancy:
American Conservatory was a middle-grade mandolin made by the Lyon & Healy Company of Chicago. Most likely it was from the teens of the last century. They are nice simple instruments. If in excellent condition, average value is $200-300. That is assuming, no cracks or warpage and all-original parts.

Be aware that most bowlback mandolins do not garner much respect in the U.S. If you want to sell it don't expect people to break down your door to buy it from you.

BTW if you want to put new strings on it, I would suggest light gauge at the heaviest. Martin makes a set. Eevn better would be GHS A240 strings which are intended for vintage bowlbacks and are extra light. You c an get them at juststrings.com. Do not standard "bluegrass" gauge strings on this mandolin -- it will probably destroy it.

I can recommend other more pricey strings that sounds better but the above should work nicely at a reasonable price.

best
Jim

Antique Musical Instruments

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Jim Garber

Expertise

PLEASE NOTE: I will not be able to answer any questions about antique keyboards, accordions, concertinas, woodwinds, brass and percussion.

I can answer most questions on fretted instruments, my main area of expertise is in vintage mandolins, guitars and ukuleles. I also know some things about old banjos as well.

I have decided to no longer evaluate instruments -- it is very difficult without the instrument in hand. For guitars and some other American fretted instruments, I recommend the Vintage Guitar Price guide. Also, be aware that most insurance companies want written appraisals so my valuation would not work anyway.

ALSO PLEASE NOTE: it is near-impossible to accurately appraise a violin or bow remotely. If you truly want to find out what you have, you will likely need to take it to a reputable local dealer. Many of these folks will at least give you a verbal assessment of what you have after an inspection in hand and, if it is indeed worth something, can write you up a formal appraisal, usually for a fee.

If you have any questions about zithers please check the following sites:
http://www.fretlesszithers.com/ or
http://www.fretlesszithers.net/
Between the two of them, they have it all covered for any zither-like instrument.

Experience

I have been buying, selling, collecting and playing old and antique instruments for over 30 years. My recent specialty has been in European mandolins and classical and Italian mandolin music.

Organizations
Classical Mandolin Society of America, active participant on the Mandolin Cafe

Publications
Guild of American Luthiers, Sing Out Magazine,

Education/Credentials
BA, Brandeis University

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