| 7. Old German concert bowlback mandolin (875) @ 200 euros new | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Old
un-named German bowl-back This is an
old, bowl-back mandolin from
perhaps the mid 20th century with a nicely edged, scalloped fingerboard.
It is in good condition after
restoration. There is no
label, though this is common with E.German instruments under communist
rule. The excellent luthiers were not allowed to take credit for their
work. This
instrument is now fully playable after restoration. The top is sound with
1 small repair to the centre join and another on the right side. It has a superb
28-piece
bowl back in stained maple. 1 small repair to some damage. It
has the original scalloped rosewood fingerboard
with brass bar-frets all in good condition. The tuners
and bridge are original, the tail a period replacement. The body has
been refinished with shellac and a modern varnish.
It has been restrung with ultra-light
GHS bronze wound classical
strings, and is now playing well with a bright, melodious sound with good sustain and volume. It
has a
fairly easy playing action. Other
than cleaning,
I have repaired as follows… 1) repaired 2 small shrinkage cracks in
the top; 2) levelled the brass frets; 3) refinished the top and bowl
with shellac and tru-oil, to replace old crumbling finish; 4) refitted
the original bridge; 5)
fitted a period tailpiece in the exact screw holes; and 6) restrung and
set up.
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