Larger photos are available on request.
Old
named Italian bowlback (867)
This
is an old, Italian bowl-back
mandolin probably from the early 20th century, with de Meglio-style features. It has a wide fingerboard, raised
scratch plate and bridge tensioner, and is in good condition after minimal restoration. There is a label which
says…
Stridente
Fabrica di
Mandolini
Via Anttonio, 22
Napoli
This instrument is now fully restored. The top is
sound with one short
shrinkage
repair. It
has a superb 25-piece
rosewood bowl back with
2 seam
repairs. It
has the original re-levelled fingerboard
in ebony, with original brass bar frets. The
tuners, tail and bridge are all originals. The
top has been lightly refinished with Tru-oil for protection, elsewhere it
retains the original French polished finish.
It has
been restrung with ultra-light GHS
bronze wound classical strings, and is now playing well with
a
rounded, mellow sound with good sustain and fair volume. It has an easy playing action.
Other
than cleaning,
I have repaired as follows… 1) repaired some split edging; 2) repaired a
short shrinkage split in the top, reinforcing beneath; 3) levelled the
fingerboard and original brass bar frets; 4)repaired a couple of open
seams in the bowl; 6) finished the top for protection with a coat of Tru-oil;
7) refitted original bridge and tensioner; and 7) strung and set up.
|
Mandolin Specifications (In Millimetres) |
|
|
Overall Length of Mandolin |
610mm |
|
Width of mandolin at widest point |
195mm |
|
Approx. Depth of mandolin |
155mm at bridge. |
|
Finish |
Original finish in good condition. Touched up around repairs. A coat of Tru-oil protects the
top. |
|
Belly wood |
Good quality, close-grained, spruce top
with two small shrinkage repairs.
Top
sealed with a coat of Tru-oil. Small edging repairs. |
|
Scratch plate |
Original raised scratch in acetate with lots of MOP and
brass floral inlay. Excellent condition. |
|
Sound hole |
Oval hole, approx. 65 x 45mm. Also de Meglio-style side vents. |
|
Back and sides |
25-piece, rosewood, bowl-back, clasp, and sides. Repairs to 2 seams. |
|
Neck and Head |
2-piece, veneered head and neck.
All original and in good condition. |
|
Fingerboard |
Original relevelled ebony with original re-levelled and
dressed brass bar frets. No visible wear. MOP position markers at 3, 5, 7, 10 and 12. |
|
Machine heads |
Original steel and brass strip tuners
with
original buttons.
All working. |
|
Tailpiece |
Original in steel with 4 string posts. |
|
Bridge/tensioner |
Original ebony shelf bridge and tensioner. |
|
Scale Length Bridge to nut |
Scale of 335mm |
|
G string height at bridge |
5mm |
|
E string height at bridge |
4.5mm |
|
12th fret
to bottom of G string (Action) |
2mm |
|
12th fret
to bottom of E string (Action) |
2mm |
|
Width of fretboard at nut |
26mm |
|
Width of fretboard at widest point |
44mm |
|
Sleeve guard |
Sleeve
guards are available if required |
|
Case |
I
have some re-conditioned bowl-back cases available for purchase. |