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About 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

You are here: Experts > Music/Performing Arts > Musical Instruments > Antique Musical Instruments > a. Stathopoulo stringed possible banjolin

Antique Musical Instruments - a. Stathopoulo stringed possible banjolin

Expert: Jim Garber - 10/8/2009

Question
I have an antique instrument part bango/part mandolin. It has 8-strings, grouped as if it were 4 strings. It has a 9 ply constuction to the neck possible maple & Mahogany. The shell is is a total circle made of Wood with an outer metal rim containg 24 tightening clamps for the pigskin head. It has 17 frets on the neck with possibly abalone inlays at the 3rd 5th 7th 10th & 12th frets. The 5th being a dot of approx 1/4 " The rest of the fret inlays appear to be ovals or diamond shaped.The neck seems to be outer lined in Ivory all the way around the outer edges of the neck. The name of A. Stathopoulo New York is stamped into the instrument on both sides of the heel. The peghead for the tuning of the instrument is not solid, it is hollowed out with its tuning gears on the back of the head rather than on the sides.The case its in is a black case with lawn green lined fabric with a stamp inside the case that reads A.Stathopoulo manufacturer and Importer of Musical Merchandise 247 West 42nd St. New York , NY..USA. The maker of this instrument had few sons, of which one was EPI, who later in years after his father died became EPIPHONE..I cannot seem to identify this instrument as of yet...Any Clues. I will try to attach a pic here. Any info would be wonderful...Thankyou James Palmer

Answer
Hi James:
If you can't attach a picture, send one or more to me at jimg@paperclipdesign.com.

It sounds like a mandolin-banjo to me, hybrid instrument, tuned like a mandolin and using mandolin strings. How do you know the head is pigskin? They were usually calfskin.

It sounds like you already did your homework and connected Mr. Stathopoulo to the Epiphone Company, on of the more prominent makers of fretted instruments from the 1920s thru the 1950s when they were bought out by Gibson.

Jim

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