Mandolins For Sale

12. Old Calace bowlback mandolin (852) @ 1200 euros

Larger Photos can be sent on request

This is a bowlback mandolin by a highly prestigious maker, probably from early in the 20th century. It is in good condition after restoration. It is undoubtedly a Calace but has seen previous restoration and there is no longer any makers label inside....

Cav. Raffaele Calace

This instrument is now fully restored and playable after arriving with significant damage and old repairs, so be aware, it still bears some scars.

The top is sound with repairs. It has a 21-piece, rosewood bowl back and sides with repairs. The original fingerboard and frets are now level. The furniture is partly originals as indicated below. The top has been lightly refinished with tru-oil as protection against dirt. It has been restrung with light GHS bronze wound classical strings, and is now playing well despite its chequered past, with an easy action, and a deep, strong, round sound, with good sustain and volume.

Other than cleaning, I have completed the repairs as follows… 1) repaired damage and open seams in the bowl; 2) repaired damage to the top and replace a small section of wood in the lower bout; 3) made and fitted a new armguard; 4) refinished throughout with shellac and tru-oil; 5) replaced a missing set of tuners, treble side; 6) levelled the original bar frets; 7) made and fitted a new bridge; 8) replaced two missing bone string posts; 9) strung and set up.

Mandolin Specifications (In mm.)
Overall Length of Mandolin	635mm
Width of mandolin at widest point	200mm
Approx. Depth of mandolin	155mm at bridge.
Finish	Refinished throughout with shellac and tru-oil
Belly wood	Book-matched, spruce top, with centre repair to lower bout with old wood, plus repair to several gouges. Some pick wear still remains visible.
Scratch plate	Original t/s and fine.
Sound hole	75mm x 45mm purling and inlay in good condition.
Back and sides	Rosewood, several repairs to damaged ribs and open seams.
Neck and Head	Two-piece, painted head and veneered neck in good condition.
Fingerboard	Original rosewood concert f/b with 24 original relevelled German silver frets. Original nut. Usual MOP position markers. Some slight fingernail depressing in first 3 frets.
Machine heads	Original bass side tuners, treble is a replacement period set. All working. Original buttons, one or two stiff.
Tailpiece	8 bone string posts (2 are period replacements, though of a different style)
Bridge/tensioner	New ebony and bone shelf bridge fitted.
Scale Length Bridge to nut	Scale of 332mm
G string height at bridge	7mm
E string height at bridge	7mm
12th fret to bottom of G string (Action)	1.75mm
12th fret to bottom of E string (Action)	1.75mm
Width of fretboard at nut	29mm
Width of fretboard at widest point	41mm