1922 Lyon & Healy Style C

 

  • SOLD!

  • Year: 1922
  • Manufacturer: Lyon & Healy
  • Model: Style C
  • Case: Original Hard
  • Color: natural top, dark back and sides
  • Condition: Excellent
  • Description: Lyon & Healy Style C Model Carved Top Mandolin, c. 1922, made in Chicago, serial # 1725, natural top, dark back and sides finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; laminated maple neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. These elaborate and beautifully made mandolins were the only really serious competition Gibson ever faced in the high-end carved top 8-string market. Lyon & Healy launched them in a blaze of publicity in the late 1910's and they were built (both under that brand and Washburn) well into the depression years. The sound of these instruments is more delicate and lighter than most Gibsons, with a nicely rounded top end and less "bark". They have been considered since the 1920's to be the best instruments for classical mandolin playing, but have not been much known or used by old-time or country musicians. We are always impressed by both the sound and craftsmanship of the Lyon & Healy mandolins, and even this Style C-the lowest model in the original line-is an extremely fine instrument worthy of any player's attention.Overall length is 24 1/4 in. (61.6 cm.), 10 in. (25.4 cm.) width, and 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.). A very nice original example; the only change is at some point the original tuners were turned around and remounted in the modern (i.e. post 1920's) "shaft over cog" position. Only light wear, an extremely nice mandolin splendidly preserved. Excellent Condition.