Stradolin Oval Hole Arch Top Mandolin , c. 1936
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Stradolin Oval Hole Model Arch Top Mandolin, c. 1936, made in New York City, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, spruce top; poplar neck, ebonized ingerboard, original black chipboard case.
This is a nicely original example of a slightly unusual Strad-O-Lin mandolin from the 1930's. Nearly all the products of this firm were F-hole instruments; this is the only oval hole model we have seen, and appears to be a very early model. The origin of these had been a bit of a mystery for years, but early Strad-O-lins like this were built by a small New York firm named Hominick Bros. and sold mostly through local jobbers. The original firm lasted from 1935 up into the '50s when they were absorbed by the Sorkin company; the name stuck around a bit longer on products of that jobber, including some electric guitars and basses.
This older mandolin has a pressed arched top and back with an elevated fingerboard and bridge. While not carrying any markings it is definitely a Strad-O-lin product, with many cosmetic and construction features similar to their common F-hole models. The inlaid line around the top is a typical Strad-O-lin feature, as is the body shape and blocky heel. The neck is fairly chunky for a period mandolin with a deep "U" profile, the top and back relatively thin giving it a bright peppy sound. The elevated pickguard is oddly truncated but appears original. While not a high-end instrument this is a rare and interesting product of this somewhat obscure NY area maker, and a fun mandolin to play.
Overall length is 25 1/2 in. (64.8 cm.), 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm.) wide, and 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 3/4 in. (349 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).
This is a generally well-preserved instrument in very nicely original condition, with all the correct fittings including the tuners, tailpiece and cover, bridge and pickguard. The finish on the top, back and neck remains original while the sides show a decent amount of overfinish work; it looks like the seams in a number of spots along the edges have been reglued resulting in some fairly extensive touch-up work. This is well done but visible on close inspection.
There is one small crack to the back running off the rear edge, neatly sealed up. There is some checking with scattered scrapes and dings and light handling marks overall, but the mandolin is fairly clean for its age. As with all Strad-O-Lins this mandolin offers a lot of sound for the money, with a bright ringing tone on par with many more expensive instruments from the period. The neck is in excellent shape and this is a really nice if comparatively low budget genuine vintage pre-WWII F-hole mandolin ready to gig, including the original chipboard case in surprisingly good condition. Overall Very Good + Condition.
This is a nicely original example of a slightly unusual Strad-O-Lin mandolin from the 1930's. Nearly all the products of this firm were F-hole instruments; this is the only oval hole model we have seen, and appears to be a very early model. The origin of these had been a bit of a mystery for years, but early Strad-O-lins like this were built by a small New York firm named Hominick Bros. and sold mostly through local jobbers. The original firm lasted from 1935 up into the '50s when they were absorbed by the Sorkin company; the name stuck around a bit longer on products of that jobber, including some electric guitars and basses.
This older mandolin has a pressed arched top and back with an elevated fingerboard and bridge. While not carrying any markings it is definitely a Strad-O-lin product, with many cosmetic and construction features similar to their common F-hole models. The inlaid line around the top is a typical Strad-O-lin feature, as is the body shape and blocky heel. The neck is fairly chunky for a period mandolin with a deep "U" profile, the top and back relatively thin giving it a bright peppy sound. The elevated pickguard is oddly truncated but appears original. While not a high-end instrument this is a rare and interesting product of this somewhat obscure NY area maker, and a fun mandolin to play.
Overall length is 25 1/2 in. (64.8 cm.), 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm.) wide, and 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 3/4 in. (349 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).
This is a generally well-preserved instrument in very nicely original condition, with all the correct fittings including the tuners, tailpiece and cover, bridge and pickguard. The finish on the top, back and neck remains original while the sides show a decent amount of overfinish work; it looks like the seams in a number of spots along the edges have been reglued resulting in some fairly extensive touch-up work. This is well done but visible on close inspection.
There is one small crack to the back running off the rear edge, neatly sealed up. There is some checking with scattered scrapes and dings and light handling marks overall, but the mandolin is fairly clean for its age. As with all Strad-O-Lins this mandolin offers a lot of sound for the money, with a bright ringing tone on par with many more expensive instruments from the period. The neck is in excellent shape and this is a really nice if comparatively low budget genuine vintage pre-WWII F-hole mandolin ready to gig, including the original chipboard case in surprisingly good condition. Overall Very Good + Condition.