Introducing My Bowlback Mandolins

I show off my collection of bowlback mandolins, including from the era of the Mandolin's Golden Age (a Washburn mandolin, a Rex Professional mandolin, and a couple of unidentified manufacture); one (Model Number 230) made by the Suzuki Violin Company in Nagoya, Japan, in 1970; one made by Antonio Tsai in Vietnam; and one manufactured by Catania Carmelo in Sicily, Italy, in 1968.
Recommendations include shopping on www.shopgoodwill.com/ if you're interested in acquiring an antique bowlback mandolin that may require some repairs; getting a Suzuki mandolin from sellers situated in Japan or Taiwan, if you want a bowlback that is playable and in good condition upon receipt; and continuing to hunt for the occasional treasure.
Playlist of Introducing my Instruments videos: • Introducing My Instrum...
My playlist of mandolin music: • Mandolin Music
My website: losinger.altervista.org/index....

[@77news97]

Thanks for this nice video. A local woman dropped off one of these at my soap shop two days ago. Not that I'm a luthier, but I know quite a bit, being a lifelong guitarist, and I own 15 guitars, four ukes, and two mandolins. The instrument she dropped off is unidentifiable, yet it's of the early 1900's range. The tailpiece has a patent date of Oct 26, 1886. She asked me to restring it and clean it up. It's really a wall hanger, but it's in quite good shape, except for the frets, which are deeply cut in by the strings. We'll see how it plays after the new strings are installed. It was hard to tell with the old strings, which were so worn that some of the windings were worn loose and sliding up and down the inner string.

[@AlleHamstra]

Love the way you love your mandolins ❤ (I own 3 F-style mandolins)

[@sandywinfield9406]

Excellent presentation. Please keep the videos coming.

[@GJack147]

Thanks for sharing your collection. I recently bought a bowlback mandolin that looks identical to the first one you showed. It is a Washburn model 115 which were made from 1896 to 1905. The music shop where I bought it claims it came from the granddaughter of the original owner. It has an ebony fretboard, a mahogany neck, and a rosewood bowl. The show owner believes the bowl is Brazilian rosewood but I have not yet independently confirmed that. It shows very little ware for something that old. According to my limited research, it costed $15 back in 1905.

[@Itschriscruz]

The last mandolin you displayed was stunning! Thanks for sharing your awesome collection.

[@Artiej0hn0]

You are inspiring, sir! Thank you for the interesting and educational video.

[@banjomandan7199]

Very enjoyable and informative presentation! I donated my nice, no-name bowlback to some friends many years ago, and they've enjoyed it as a wall decoration ever since. You've given me the hankerin' to pick up another one, though, and get back to playing again!

[@shawnn6926]

Thank you for taking the time to make your video and sharing. I use to play the manolin about 20 years ago, then started getting into flamenco style. Haven't touched either in 10 or so years.

[@willardlosingersmusicchann569]

You're very welcome!

[@amezcuaist]

Thankyou for an enjoyable video.I bought one of these unrestored and will use my violin fingering .That will be such an easy conversion . I also ordered a long delayed Bandurria from Spain . I think they lost it en route . Fingers crossed . So -- Good video .

[@thomasmckenna2218]

Excellent video, really enjoyable

[@datsunlambchops4624]

Im a active mandolin player, and performer(pre-covid). My main practice mandolin, the one i carry around my house is a Eastman bowlback. Spruce top, maple ribs. They have a very charming tone for playing solo or in small ensembles. But make poor instruments for chording. I started on a suzuki bowlback 25years ago and i suppose I just have a soft spot for them. As i have very expensive mandolins yet i still find myself picking my bowlback.

[@kevinwiltshire4134]

Nice mandolin collection recently bought a kiso Suzuki mandolin in excellent condition

[@raymondcrooke]

A very interesting collection, Willard.

[@willardlosingersmusicchann569]

Thank you, Raymond!

[@eranswisa]

You very nice. Very well made speach & video . Thanks

[@reinaldoiturrino1853]

Thank you those are beautiful sir

[@willardlosingersmusicchann569]

So nice of you

[@Auser-ebvcx-vcuoi]

Nice video, pretty impressive collection. I love 💔 it

[@willardlosingersmusicchann569]

Thank you!

[@Iceland874]

Those ara beautiful bowl back mandolins. I have wanted one my whole life. I am a woodwind and keyboard player and hope to find either a bowl back mandolin or round hole mandola. I want to play Italian baroque and perhaps some Celtic music.

[@aaronrhubstar7739]

the second one you showed is identical to mine. I still have the label and it says stela mandolin. thanks for sharing.

[@BlueNotaMaestro]

Great video thanks. I found one like that made in Italy (Napoli) in the year 1840, wonder what it would be worth these days..

[@GrandmasterGib]

Out of all my instruments my bowl back mandolin causes me the most distress - It's so hard to play that I hate it... it's so beautiful and unique that I love it.

[@reinaldoiturrino1853]

I recently purchased an instrument just like the one you showed I’m afraid to have it restored because I like it just the way it is but it does need a little love It was made by Oscar Schmidt But I collect them mostly for the beauty and craftsmanship

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

A Strap would help w/ holding it

[@jgarber235]

The first two mandolins were both made by Lyon & Healy. That is the Washburn (their best brand) and the second which looks like an American Conservatory their middle line.

[@willardlosingersmusicchann569]

Thanks very much for the information!

[@garyyeigh6098]

I collect them just for the beauty and art quality.

[@alfredbarten4901]

Thanks for sharing. I' ve had bad luck with Suzukis. Usually the necks are warped. I do have a 1916 Washburn that plays beautifully and cost me less than $200 on eBay.. I also have a 1908 Weymann in excellent shape, but not as good a player as the Washburn. I like to play them at Renaissance Fairs.

[@willardlosingersmusicchann569]

Thanks for sharing!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Thomastik Mandolin Strings (154 Medium Gauge) should facilitate good playing technique. The May song actually sounds great on this thing. All the Violin pieces are playable on these things.

[@ised-5239]

Bowlback mandolins = Italian mandolins. And US mandolins are the flatback instruments constisting of F and A styles and often with F holes.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Suzuki still makes Mandolins

[@richardmendonca3756]

I just bought one like that on Ebay it was $60 including shipping.

[@forbiddensun9524]

I love mine but they’re not the best. The neck in my 1970s Carmelo Catania mandolin is sooo uncomfortable to play

[@luckysevenairammo1217]

Thats awesome ! Do you have a 12 string one ? Wondering how they sound compared to a 8 string ? I just picked up a 12 string Oscar Schmidt one that needs a bit of love.

[@willardlosingersmusicchann569]

No. I only have 8-string mandolins. But I do have a bandurria, which has more strings.

[@MrBritrider]

Would you be able to tell me about my bow back? It was handed down to my wife by her grandmother. Thanks.

[@willardlosingersmusicchann569]

You might try over at www.mandolincafe.com/

[@olmmbill]

Nice instruments. What brand and gauge strings do you use?

[@willardlosingersmusicchann569]

Elixir Nanoweb Light

[@aidanduffield5395]

Out of curiosity, how much do you think the washburn mandolin would sell for?

[@willardlosingersmusicchann569]

Washburns tend to get bid up a bit more than a lot of the other ones--often over $100.

[@MatthewZmusician209]

Hello I really want a bowl back mandolin. But 9/10 they are in terrible condition. Anyways are bowl backs louder than flat back mandolins?

[@willardlosingersmusicchann569]

Not necessarily louder.

[@sheriisaacs1885]

I have a very old bowlback mandolin in need of repair/restoration. Label inside is A.Monzino & Figli, Milan. Can you offer any info on who to contact to date it and how to find a good restorer?

[@willardlosingersmusicchann569]

I don't know. There are so many of them available, in various states of disrepair. I just did my own (unprofessional) repairs. Ones that were beyond repair I auctioned off to someone else.

[@deonlee7353]

What strings size do you use for your bowl backs?

[@willardlosingersmusicchann569]

I use Elixir nanoweb light

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Adding strap pegs would allow you to use a strap.