New Instruments

Old Italian bowl-back mandriola

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

Stridente

Fabrica di mandolini

Via Antonio, 22

Napoli

This instrument is now fully playable after restoration. The top is sound with one shrinkage repair. It has a 22-piece rosewood bowl back with no repairs. It has the original rosewood fingerboard and frets set on a shim. The tuners  and tail seem original. The Bridge is new. The top has been lightly refinished with Tru-oil a modern varnish for protection. It has been restrung with light GHS bronze wound classical strings, and is now playing well with a full, 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 a narrow top split; 2) set the rosewood fretboard on shim to aid playability; 3) levelled and dressed the original frets; 4) refinished the top with tru-oil; 5)  made and fitted a new bridge; 6) restrung and set up.

 

Mandolin Specifications (In Millimetres)
Overall Length of Mandolin	680mm
Width of mandolin at widest point	210mm
Approx. Depth of mandolin	145mm at bridge.
Finish	Finish original French polish.
Belly wood	Good quality, book-matched, spruce top, one repair. A coat of tru-oil added for protection.
Scratch plate	Early plastic with lots of MOP, I excellent condition.
Sound hole	Ovaloid hole, approx. 65x 40mm. Slight warping
Back and sides	22-piece, rosewood bowl-back, clasp, and sides. No repairs.
Neck and Head	2-piece, veneered neck and head in good condition.
Fingerboard	Original f/b in rosewood with 17 original frets showing no wear. Existing bone nut.
Machine heads	Original steel and brass open tuners with original buttons. All working though one or two stiff.
Tailpiece	Original in steel with 4 brass string posts.
Bridge/tensioner	New ebony and bone bridge fitted.
Scale Length Bridge to nut	Scale of 330mm
G string height at bridge	7mm
E string height at bridge	6.5mm
12th fret to bottom of G string (Action)	2.25mm
12th fret to bottom of E string (Action)	1.75mm
Width of fretboard at nut	34mm
Width of fretboard at widest point	44mm
Sleeve guard	Sleeve guards are available if required