Jake Wildwood - Improvisation on c.1880s Champion Mandolin

Here's a bit of foolin' on a c.1885 or so Champion brand bowlback mandolin made by Lyon & Healy. I recorded this while getting levels and mix right to record later today. It's got cherry/birdseye maple back/sides, nice spruce top, ebony fretboard, bridge, and nut, and a mahogany neck. All those years sure bring out a full tone in this darlin'! Enjoy!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mandolin
• 1880s
• lyon
• healy
• improvisation
• champion
• bowlback

[beginnersmind0]

What strings are you using?

[jakewildwood]

@beginnersmind0 I'm pretty sure that these were umh... 28w/22w/12/09... I use two sets of GHS tenor banjo strings that are phosphor bronze in those gauges. They're PERFECT for old bowlbacks as the tension is lower and the gauges much more similar to c.1890s strings I've got hanging around as case candy.

[Bukowskal]

That sounded great, it's nice to see some mandolin videos that aren't bluegrass. I'm a beginning and I'm wondering: 1. What, are the benefits of a bowlback over standard A or F style? and 2. How much did that bowlback cost you?

[jakewildwood]

@Bukowskal Bowlback -- clarity, clarity, clarity. They have a very pure and balanced tone across the strings. The downside is volume loss. Cost -- I got it on the inexpensive side because I repaired & restored it to get it going again. Good, playable bowlbacks with decent sound can be had in the $300 range.

[muahahaha101]

randomly clicked on this and so glad I did! I loved it and loved how different it was from usuall fast=paced spanish/italian stuff i hear being played on mandolins. Really great job!

[jakewildwood]

@muahahaha101 Thanks!

[beginnersmind0]

@Bukowskal Agreed! That is some beautiful playing and exactly what I hope to be able to play some day!

[jakewildwood]

Thanks!

[tenorbanjoguy]

That really sounds great Jake!

[jakewildwood]

Mhm!