rcmoore - Posted - 09/02/2010:  18:25:24

I just finished cleaning up an old Sears Supertone Banjo Mandolin . Everything appears to be original except for the head and nut which I replaced. It has a 10 inch rim and is 24 inches long. The usual Supertone sticker inside has hand written "Banjo Mand" and number "146" or maybe that is "446". It seems to be better made that most of the Supertone cheapos. It has real mop inlays, and has a full spun-over rim. Does anyone have an idea who made it and about when?
Bob Moore

Edited by - rcmoore on 09/03/2010 10:32:40

rcmoore - Posted - 09/03/2010:  10:37:35

Since I made this post, I have seen another Supertone exactly like this one. It had "446" on the sticker. I also saw one that did not have the Supertone sticker and only had the star; but otherwise was the same. I still do not know for sure who made it or when it was likely made. Could it have been Lyon and Healy?
Bob Moore

TwoTrax - Posted - 09/03/2010:  12:01:47

It's lovely. Nice job.

beezaboy - Posted - 09/03/2010:  12:06:52

I'm pretty sure that "446" is a catalog number to make
it easy to order an item by number rather than description.

rcmoore - Posted - 09/03/2010:  15:05:01

beezaboy, I agree with you on the numbering system. I have owned a few 5 string Supertones, and have seen the stickers from many others. The ones which are virtually the same, have the same number. The hand written numbers on mine are somewhat faint; but the one I saw a picture of later was definitely "446". I'm now pretty sure that is what is on mine. Still wondering who built them?
Bob Moore

millwheel - Posted - 09/04/2010:  09:36:13

I have a Supertone BM (pardon the expression) identical to RCMOORE's and its label says "446" also. The materials quality is higher than that used in my other Supertones, esp. the plating on the pot - very shiny still, and not scrunched in from overly-tightened shoe bolts. I also wonder who made it??
Lyon & Healy is a good possibility because of their Chicago location, but that's just a circumstantial speculation. Does anyone know for sure where this, and the other Supertones were made, and by whom??? I have heard that Lange may have done the necks, and their design and quality support this, but again, who knows?

rcmoore - Posted - 09/04/2010:  19:27:08

While cruising around the net, I saw another banjo mandolin with an identical headstock shape. It had "Concertone" on the dowel. No star or cresent mop, and the the dowel hardware was different. The tailpiece looked similar, maybe even identical. Is it possible that Slingerland made banjo mandolins for Sears Supertones at some time?
Bob Moore