Likely a circa 1910-20s Larson Brothers mandocello with an H.L. Leland Brilliantone label. It is a 24.75"-scale instrument with bar frets and a Brazilian rosewood back and sides. It has a 14" wide teardrop shape body, it is 3-3/8" thick at the thickest spot and has a 1-1/2" nut width. White single-bound top and back and the top has multicolored wood purfling. The top is both bent and arched. Serial numbers were usually written on the inside of the top fretboard brace but it is not legible, and the Brilliantone label also has a spot for the serial number but it is blank. The engraved metal cover for the back of the recessed tuning machines is long gone but has a nice handmade rosewood replacement. The top and back have a few repaired cracks and have been refinished, and the non-adjustable bridge has a shim on the bottom. Currently set up as an octave mandolin but can easily be restrung and set up as a mandocello again. Either way, this instrument sounds great! With Reunion Blues leather gig bag.
We have CITES export certification for rosewood shipping, including
Brazilian, so our customers outside the US can shop with confidence!
