Old A Style Mandolin.

[Len Biglin]

Hi everyone . An old Gibson mandolin has come in which needs a little work . Its pretty straight forward but I don't have much experience with these . It seems to be around 1913 so its the oldest instrument Ive worked on . The back has a wide crack as it wasn't quarter sawn , and is separated from lining also . I think I will have to glue and clamp the cracked area back into shape as well as possible and then glue in a strip of veneer wood into the crack to fill it . Does this sound ok ? Titebond or fish glue might be in order as it is awkward . I will do Frank's brace glue-up too . Also once its done , what should I clean the lacquer with ?Note the spool clamps are just acting as feet .

[jbbancroft]

I would humidify it to close the crack as much as possible, then add a splice if needed. Personally I would use hot hide glue for the repairs and splinting.

for cleaning I would do the minimum, maybe a wipe down with warm water and a touch of dish soap. Naphtha will be ok to use for serious cleaning if needed. 

I’d stay away from serious polishing to keep the present patina.

jim

[Len Biglin]

Thanks Jim your input is valuable here , I didn't consider humidity because we are between a large lake and the sea but its definitely worth doing . Do you know what woods were common for the back ? It looks rather plain but has strong silk rays in the crack .

[jbbancroft]

Most Gibson A mandolins were birch, but maple would be ok for a splice too, a wood color that closely matches.

if you use Naphtha for cleaning experiment first in a small spot to make sure it doesn’t effect the finish.

Jim

[LARRY KLOSE]

If it’s 1913 wouldn’t the finish be varnish?  If so, cleaning it might be different than with lacquer.