Well I got a new mandolin today. It is basically an Oriole without the oriole on the headstock. I don't know how many of these are floating around but
they seem a bit rarer than the more common burst KM-21. I'm not really sure what to call this model...it's x braced with a spruce top, maple sides and
what looks to be a one piece maple back. Inside it has the numbers 3 371G , and the number 35 in regular pencil. The top is tortoise bound, similar to my
Oriole except that the only the top is bound. I am assuming that it is made between the years of 1939-41 (isn't that when the orioles were made? Any info
is greatly appreciated.
It sounds nice, much better to my ears than the KM-11 flat top mando that I just sold. Here's a picture of two cousins getting some sun on a beautiful
Michigan day, only 70 miles from the plant they were crafted.
Peace,
Shane





