Martin Style 0 Bowl Back Mandolin, 1917 [USED]

This Martin Style 0 Bowl Back Mandolin dates to perhaps March of 1917.   Martin first introduced Mandolins to their catalog in 1896, all of which were in the traditional European bowl-back, bent-top form.  The Style 0 was built from 1907 to 1925. 

For materials, the Martin Style 0 Bowl Back Mandolin features a Spruce top (likely Adirondack), with Mahogany for the body blocks and neck, and Ebony for the nut, bridge and unbound fingerboard; the 14 bowl ribs, binding and head plate are all Brazilian Rosewood.  The frets are a 'bar' style with no tang or bead - Martin continued to use these until 1934.  The faux-tortoise, celluloid pickguard is inlaid into the top.   The tuners are original and work very well, turning smoothly and accurately.  

Shortly after this mandolin was built, specifications changed and the central pickguard moved to the treble side of the top.  

Currently nearly 108 years old, this Gibson Style 0 bowl back mandolin is in good overall and playing condition.  It plays well, is structurally sound, and appears to be complete and original with the possible exception of the Ebony bridge; some examples have an Ivory saddle insert, this does not.  

Sold without case.  The original case would have been a fibre or fabric model and many of those have not survived.  

The bowl-back mandolin design dates to the 18th century and the Vinaccia family of Naples, but it evolved from the lute, which dates to Mesopotamia in perhaps 3100BC.  

These traditional-style mandolins, by Martin and others, quickly ran into a major shift in instrument construction triggered by Orville Gibson's blending of violin and guitar family design and construction techniques. That blend created the first arched-top and back guitar and mandolin family instruments.  The first Gibson arched-top mandolins appeared in 1904, and signalled the end of the bowl-back era.  

Martin's first flat-back mandolins appeared in 1914 as Style A through E.  Until 1929, these were often the 'bent top' design, and for 1930 all Martin mandolins were either flat-top or carved-top.  However, the revolutionary Gibson design was so successful that most players were looking for arched-top and back, Gibson style designs. 

There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here

 

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DETAILS: 

• Instrument Model:  Style 0 Mandolin
• Instrument Manufacturer: Martin
• Instrument year:  1917
• Instrument Finish:  Natural
• Instrument Class:  Vintage, Used
• Instrument serial number:  5202, built around March 1917 at Nazareth PA
• Country of Origin:  USA
• Instrument Condition:  Good
• Playing Condition: Good
  
• Right-handed 
• CITIES Documentation Required:  Yes
• Case included:  No
• Case original:  No
• Case Type: N/A
• Instrument Weight Imperial:   1.408 lbs
• Instrument Weight Metric:   .64 kgs
• Scale Length Imperial:    13 in
• Scale Length Metric:    330 mm
• Nut Width Imperial:    1.194 in
• Nut Width Metric:  30.34 mm
  
• Items in Case: N/A
• Consignment: Yes
• Product ID: 190142

 

There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here