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EMPIRE bowlback mando
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10128&t=35689
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Author:  jim daniels [ Thu Mar 08, 2012 1:29 pm ]
Post subject:  EMPIRE bowlback mando

I am working on an EMPIRE bowlback mandolin, it has a creamcolored plastic round disc, about 2 in dia set in the tuning head. can anyone tell me any thing about it? it has an inlayed mop butterfly for a pick guard and mop set in the binding around the soundboard. its zitka spruce and rosewood i think. I'm looking on line now but would appreciate some help. sorry i don't have pictures. maybe i can get my daughter to take some and put them on later. thanks jim

Author:  WudWerkr [ Fri Mar 09, 2012 2:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: EMPIRE bowlback mando

Pics might help . There were alot of those bowlbacks around , ive redone a couple myself .

Author:  Shaw [ Sat Mar 10, 2012 10:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: EMPIRE bowlback mando

Empire was a brand sold by the Oliver Ditson company if you didn't know that. They actually didn't produce any instruments that I know of. They were all made by other manufacturers for them. Martin made some instruments for them including guitars and even mandolins under the empire brand but that doesn't mean that yours is a martin though. Other companies made them for that same brand. That could help you do more research on google. I have seen a few of these but can't remember ever seeing a white round thing on the head stock.

Author:  jim daniels [ Sun Mar 11, 2012 8:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: EMPIRE bowlback mando

here is the button on the turning head

Author:  jim daniels [ Sun Mar 11, 2012 8:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: EMPIRE bowlback mando

this is empire state button

Author:  WudWerkr [ Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: EMPIRE bowlback mando

I dont remember seeing this one before either . looks like some google research is gonna be needed . what kind of shape is the mando in? sorry i couldnt be more help .

Author:  Shaw [ Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: EMPIRE bowlback mando

You didn't say Empire state you just said Empire so I assumed it was a Ditson Empire mandolin. Empire state is a different brand made by Viohl company. I'll assume the medallion is probably cellulose plastic. Not that I'm trying to sway people away from the OLF but the Mandolin Cafe has a great forum that can provide you with probably more answers related to mandolins. There are a lot of members there who are builders and repairmen that specialize in mandolins. I love both forums. I mainly come here for guitar building and there for mandolin building. here is an old post on the mandolin your talking about...Mike
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?18539-Unknown-Mandolins

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