Mandolin identifiication assistance required

[GerBissett]

Can anyone assist with confirming if this is a real Framus or just a copy.

The headstock has no Framus logo but inside the body, there is a works note pasted in with the model described as

78 (D?) 04200 + serial number 002169.

It looks exactly like the Graziella with the exception of the absence of the "Framus" on the headstock.

Question = does the absence of the headstock "Framus" logo suggest that it is a copy or did Framus produce Mandolins with no logo?

 

[GerBissett]

Additional information - body depth is 6.5cm which to me appears to be deeper than the current modern flat back versions - as a result the sound is mellow. but still loud enough! Perhaps this is what the model number 78D refers to (i.e. D = deep?)?

 

[GerBissett]

Looks like the absence of the Framus logo is not a problem.... see the dealer sale ad link below!

mandolin for sale in Tipperary : €495 - DoneDeal.ie

 

[Florin]

Well, it is hard to give 100% accurate answers, because that was loooong time ago I asked Hans Peter Wilfer, and he told me that he is not aware of mandolins leaing the factory without logo, but he said it was possible...
The headstock looks like framus indeed, so who knows

 

[GerBissett]

Thanks

Thanks for the response Florin.

I finally managed to work out how to attach images - so I've attached to pictures of my mandolin.

Is a body depth of 6.5cm a standard feature of this model 4200 Framus mandolin?

Regards,

Ger

 

[Florin]

HI Ger,

This is the old Framus, and unfortunately we've lost the documentation, technical specs, etc, so it is not possible to answer to that question. But it looks like a Framus to me, and IMHO, why should somebody copy a Framus back then?

 

[GerBissett]

Hi Florin,

Yes - a good point, there would have been no real reason to copy it back over 30 years ago. So I'll just be happy that I've got a little bit of history to play with - it certainly produces a fantastic mellow sound!

Ger