Alfonso Moretti NAPOLI mandolin. need info

[sezrah]

Hi, I just recieved a Mandolin as a gift recently, and I don't really know anything about them.
I know that it was bought in an Antique store, and it was made in Italy by Alfonso Moretti NAPOLI and imported to London. I don't know how old it is, or who the make of it is, but it looks old.
It has a bowl back (is that the right term for it?) and is really pretty.
The intonation isn't too good, it gets sharper the higher the note gets and the harmonic should be the same as the note but it isn't. Could someone tell me what this might be?
The neck isn't bent, so it might be a dodgy bridge.
But it sounds lovely, I 'll use it to learn Greek folk songs for when i go out there in the summer.
If anyone could help, that would be most appreciative.

Thanks...
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif Sezrah

[sezrah]

oh yeah, and the detail..
it has a plate thingy (guard) made out of tortoishell and has a oval thing around the hole with a mother of pearl detail as well as mother of pearl fret markers, two of which are sqaure crosses.

[Bob A]

I'm not familiar with the maker, but then I'm no expert either. If you want some hard info, you should post in the classical section, and if possible, include a couple pictures. The intonation can be adjusted by moving the bridge. (I hope no one has glued it down!). The action can be adjusted by messing with the saddle height, though you don't mention whether it is high.

Please be aware that modern mandolin strings are way too heavy for bowlbacks. Black Diamond or GHS Classical are the heaviest strings you should use if you don't want to destroy the instrument. (They are not commonly found in music stores, but can easily be ordered from places like JustStrings, which is linked to this site).

Personally I really like the bowlback sound. It's nothing like the bluegrass instruments - much more treble, nice light action with the extra-light strings, a happy-sounding sort of instrument.

Post a pic down in classical. Someone is sure to know more than I do.

[vkioulaphides]

Well, sezrah, welcome to the club! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

MC-contributor (username:) alekos has an A. Moretti, a lovely instrument; he would be the best one for you to ask. I am sure he wouldn't mind if you dropped him a direct e-mail. Coincidentally, he is of Greek descent, although born in and resident of the Czech Republic. He also has a website, on which he has posted images of his Moretti and many other bowlbacks. When you look him up, please give him my regards.

Cheers,

Victor

[vkioulaphides]

Eureka!

http://3web.dkm.cz/mandoweb/moretti.htm

Cheers,

Victor

[sezrah]

Thankyou for replying to my message. Thanks for the link, yes....my mandolin is very similar to the one on the link, though not as decorative, but beautiful still.
How do i find MC-contributor on this website? I must email him to see if he might know.
cheers

sezrah

[Jim Garber]

Well, if you don't speak Czech it might be hard to find it on the site. He does speak English tho. His name is Alexandr #Knápek and his email on the site is: aknapek@volny.cz

BTW no real need to repost this in the classical area. As you can see, we will find you anyway.

Jim

[vkioulaphides]

[QUOTE]"no real need to repost this in the classical area. As you can see, we will find you anyway."

Ha, ha... yes, Jim certainly means this! We have a habit —good or bad—#of scouting out all bowlback-related topics no matter where they appear! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

And yes, Alex speaks English very well and could offer some more Moretti-specific information at your request.

[QUOTE]"I 'll use it to learn Greek folk songs for when i go out there in the summer."

Enjoy! If you want any clues on cozy, little tavernas in my hometown (Athens), please feel free to drop me a note. While I live in New York, I don't fail to visit my birthplace once in a while, if nothing else by way of pilgrimage to said tavernas. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Cheers,

Victor