c.1900 Washburn Cremonatone mandolin

   I thought some of my fellow mandolin fans might get a kick out of seeing this antique mandolin that recently passed through the shop for a re-string. Its older style is what is referred to as a bowl back or potato bug mandolin. Due to the large number produced they're
not especially valuable but they are pretty cool.

Anyone still wondering why they're called bowl backs?

According to the book Washburn Prewar Instrument Styles by Hubert Pleijsier,the 'Cremonatone" label means it was made sometime between 1896 and 1905.

Check out the stylish headstock!

Cool opening tailpiece. These guys aren't made for modern heavy strings,so if you have one,string it with a lighter set.

Great herringbone pattern on the side and some inlay work on the tortoise shell pickgaurd.