Can anyone identify this instrument?

[Brendon Foley]

This instrument was given to me as it had a broken head-stock. They told me it was a Taropatch but all the references I have found online say the taropatch is a gut/nylon strung instrument and this instrument was fitted with mandolin strings. It also has what looks to me like a mandolin tailpiece albeit very patinated. I though I'd post it here as I assume it was built in the Americas. I was told that it was bought off ebay from someone in Hawaii. It has the smallest fretwire I've ever seen; much smaller than the mandolin fretwire generally available nowadays. Can anyone help?

[David King]

The back looks like chestnut. 19th century missionaries had a habit of bringing all manner of non native plants and trees to Hawaii so I suppose it's possible. What's the scale length? That might be a clue. Also it's not impossible that it was restrung with whatever strings were available to whoever owned it.

[Brendon Foley]

The Scale length is 13 inches. It has a floating bridge whereas the Martin taropatches had a fixed bridge. I forgot to mention that it has no label or markings on it. It's 1 & 1/8 inches wide at the nut. I guess it's possible that someone fitted it with mandolin strings at some stage; the soundboard has sunk a little which could be a clue...

[Clay Schaeffer]

With 8 strings, a floating bridge, and a tailpiece, it is probably a mandolinetto.

[Brendon Foley]

Yes, i'd definitely say it's a mandolinetto. Everything points to it being that. Thanks muchly Clay!

[Randy Roberts]

A taropatch is a type of ukulele.
A good description would be:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... B-aDYaJAUu

another:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... Xfy7iX6R-V


I'd assume the floating bridge on this one was someones attempt to deal with the added stress on the top from using steel strings. Just my guess.