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Old
unnamed Italian bowl-back (847) This is an
old, mandolin from the early 20th century
bowl-back., surely Italian made,
though it has no label or identifying marks. It is in good
condition after minimal restoration.
There is no label which … This
instrument is now fully playable after restoration. The top is sound with
no repairs. It has a 21-piece
rosewood bowl back with no repairs. It
has the original
rosewood fingerboard.
The tuners,
tail are probably originals, but the ebony bridge is new. It retains its
French polished finish throughout except around repairs.
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
light playing action. Other than cleaning, I have repaired as follows… 1) repaired the neck-head join and reinforced it; 2) repaired a damaged neck veneer; 3) refitted and levelled the original rosewood fingerboard; 4) refinished around repairs with shellac and tru-oil varnish; 5) made and fitted a new ebony bridge and a new bone nut; and 6) restrung and set up. |
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