Mandolins For Sale

1. Restored German dome-backed Hamburger waldzither (305) @ £175

Larger photos are available on request.

Old Hamburger Waldzither Bouzouki Mandola Cittern

This is an old domeback Waldzither, made in Germany probably early to mid 20^th century by Pluckthorn. It has a no label or makers marks remaining.

It has the original rosewood finger-board. The spruce top is in good condition, with NO repairs. The 7-piece dome back is now sound. The tuners are original, and in good condition, but the tail-piece and ebony and bone bridge are new. The instrument has been completely refinished in Tru-oil. It has been strung as a short-scale bouzouki or cittern, (G D A E B) and is now playing well with a full, ringing, sonorous sound and an easy action.

With the capo on fret 5 you have a workable mandolin with a wide fretboard.

Other than cleaning, I have carried out the following work on this instrument: 1) repaired shrinkage splits in the back; 2) repaired damage to the side of the head; 3) refinished throughout in Tru-oil; 4)made and fitted new bridge in ebony and bone; 5) re-painted the decorative design; and 6) fitted new tail piece.

Waldzither Specifications (In Millimetres)
Overall Length of waldzither	715mm
Width at widest point	350mm
Approx. Depth of waldzither	130mm at bridge.
Finish	Refinished completely in Tru-oil, a hard, very thin, modern oil-varnish that allows maximum vibration in the wood
Belly wood	Fair quality, book-matched spruce, with purfling and edging all in good condition. Painted design.
Sound hole	Round, approx. 75mm. diameter. White plastic edging.
Scratchplate	N/A
Back	7 piece dome back in stained maple. Some seam repairs.
Neck and Head	Single-piece, stained, neck and head. A repair to the side of the head.
Sides	Stained maple, good condition. A small split repair in one side.
Fingerboard	Original in rosewood, with 17 original brass fret, newly levelled. Brass zero fret. MOP position markers at frets 5, 9 and 12. Original brass nut.
Machine heads	Original brass and steel ‘ Preston ’ tuners, all working well.
Tailpiece	New in steel with 8 string hooks and a strap hook.
Bridge	New in ebony and bone
Scale Length Bridge to nut	Scale of 500mm
G string height at bridge	13.5mm
E string height at bridge	13.5mm
12th fret to bottom string (Action)	2.25mm
12th fret to top string (Action)	2mm
Width of fretboard at nut	40mm
Width of fretboard at widest point	52mm
A strap button can be installed if required, and I have some old straps available. Instrument comes WITH a tuning key