New Instruments

2. Old Italian bowlback mandolin  (864) @ 150 euros

Old named Italian bowlback (864)

This is an old, Italian bowl-back mandolin probably from the early 20th century. It is in good condition after restoration. There is a label which says…

Francesco Donadoni

Armonici

Piazza Garibaldi, 82

Napoli

This instrument is now fully restored. The top is sound with one slight shrinkage repair of the centre join. It has a 23-piece rosewood bowl back with seam repairs. It has the original re-levelled fingerboard in rosewood, with original brass bar frets. The tuners, tail and bridge are all originals. The top has been refinished throughout with shellac and Tru-oil for protection. 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) replaced all the missing MOP edging; 2) repaired a shrinkage in the top centre join, reinforcing beneath; 3) levelled the fingerboard and original brass bar frets; 4) repaired open seams, and a small hole in the bowl; 6) repaired some damaged veneer around the head neck join; 7) refinished throughout with shellac and tru-oil except on the top which has a couple of light coats of Tru-oil for protection; 8) refitted original bridge and tensioner; and 9) strung and set up.

 

Mandolin Specifications (In Millimetres)
Overall Length of Mandolin	595mm
Width of mandolin at widest point	205mm
Approx. Depth of mandolin	150mm at bridge.
Finish	Refinished throughout with shellac and tru-oil varnish.  A light coat or two of Tru-oil protects the top.
Belly wood	Fair quality, book-matched, spruce top with centre join repairs. Top sealed with a coat of Tru-oil. Missing MOP edging replaced.
Scratch plate	Original in acetate with lots of MOP inlay. Excellent condition.
Sound hole	Oval hole, approx. 70 x 40mm. MOP inlay.
Back and sides	23-piece, rosewood, bowl-back and clasp, tulipwood sides and edging. One long seam repair and repair of a small hole.
Neck and Head	2-piece, veneered head and neck. All original and in good condition. Small repairs to damaged veneer.
Fingerboard	Original relevelled ebony with original brass bar frets. No visible wear. MOP position markers at 3, 5, 7, and 10.
Machine heads	Original enclosed German silver tuners with original buttons. All working.
Tailpiece	Original in German silver with 4 brass string posts.
Bridge/tensioner	Original ebony shelf bridge and two new position markers.
Scale Length Bridge to nut	Scale of 328mm
G string height at bridge	5.5mm
E string height at bridge	4mm
12th fret to bottom of G string (Action)	1.5mm
12th fret to bottom of E string (Action)	1mm
Width of fretboard at nut	27mm
Width of fretboard at widest point	41mm
Sleeve guard	Sleeve guards are available if required
Case	I have some re-conditioned bowl-back cases available for purchase.

Larger photos are available on request.