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8. Old un-named rosewood bowlback  (838)   @  130 euros

Larger photos are available on request.

 

Old Italian bowlback

This is an old, Italian bowl-back mandolin from the early 20th century.  It is now in good condition after restoration. There is no label…

    This instrument is now fully restored and playable. The top is good quality spruce, with 1 shrinkage repair, and repair to missing edging. The 21-piece rosewood bowl back has no repairs. It has the original re-levelled fingerboard in rosewood, on a slight shim, with original brass bar frets. The tuners and tail, are originals, the bridge is new. The top has been lightly refinished with Tru-oil for protection, elsewhere it is refeinished with shellac and tru-oil. It has been restrung with ultra-light GHS bronze wound classical strings. It has an easy playing action, and is now playing well with a round, warm sound with good sustain and volume.

Other than cleaning, I have repaired as follows… 1) repaired a shrinkage split in the top and replaced missing edging pieces; 2) remounted the end of the fingerboard on a shim, relevelled and dress the frets; 3) a light coat of tru-oil to protect the top; 4) fitted a new bridge; 5) strung with GHS ultras and set up.

Mandolin Specifications (In Millimetres)

 

Overall Length of Mandolin

610mm

Width of mandolin at widest point

200mm

Approx. Depth of mandolin

145mm at bridge.

Finish

Original finish except around the repaired edging. A coat of Tru-oil protects the top.

Belly wood

Cloes-grained, book-matched, spruce top with 1 shrinkage repair. Top sealed with a coat of Tru-oil. Missing edging in ebony and maple repaired.

Scratch plate

T/S in good condition.

Sound hole

Oval hole, approx. 65 x 35mm. Some missing MOP inlay replaced.

Back and sides

21-piece, rosewood, bowl-back, and clasp, and fruitwood sides. No seam repairs.

Neck and Head

Two-piece, veneered neck and head  in good condition.

Fingerboard

Original rosewood with re-levelled brass bar frets.  MOP position markers at 3, 5, 7, 10 and 12.

Machine heads

Original steel and brass tuners with original buttons. All working though a few stiff even after cleaning/lubrication..

Tailpiece

Original refinished in steel with 4 brass string posts.

Bridge/tensioner

New rosewood and bone bridge.

Scale Length Bridge to nut

Scale of 330mm

G string height at bridge

9mm

E string height at bridge

8.5mm

12th fret to bottom of G string (Action)

2mm

12th fret to bottom of E string (Action)

2mm

Width of fretboard at nut

28mm

Width of fretboard at widest point

39mm