W. C. Longstreth 1909 CoColyn instrument maker
Can someone help me find more about a musical instrument maker named W. C. Longstreth? It appears that he lived in Ohio. I recently edited a story by an 86-year-old musician who performed on live radio shows during the Roaring Twenties and Great Depression, and then he wrote another article about unusual musical instruments he's seen. He wrote: "I do not know of the history of the CoColyn, and have never met anyone that knew the maker, but this person was a super wood worker. It has the best maple mahogany and ebony that could be found and superior workmanship. The man was a genius, like Stradivarius.
"His name was W. C. Longstreth. The CoColyn was made March 9, 1909, and it was in a case that was made for a bowl-back mandolin. The best part of this CoColyn story is that the body is made from a coconut; thus the name CoColyn. You play it with a bow and it is tuned like a violin. I've had a lot of odd instruments in my time, but this one takes first prize. The information printed under the finger board reads W.C. Longstreth, Lancaster Ohio, March 15th 1909. It's in a case that looks like it was made for a bowl back Mandolin.(NO BOW ) But I think the bow to be used would be a bow made for either a !/4 or a 1/2 size violin."
Can anyone tell me more about Mr. Longstreth? It would be a nice follow-up article. Make sure, if you send me a direct message that you refer to Longstreth in the subject line. Thanks in advance. Faye
More Replies:
-
Re: W. C. Longstreth 1909 CoColyn instrument maker
Judith Benavides 10/19/08
-
Re: W. C. Longstreth 1909 CoColyn instrument maker
James Longstreth 5/05/08