Vintage bowlback

[BradKlein]

I have offered to help a friend track down information about this vintage bowlback, with an eye toward restoration. This is a family heirloom, and my friend is not a player, so given the difficulties with fully restoring these old bowlbacks, it may be that a careful cleaning will meet her needs.

From the pics it seems to be a fairly high grade instrument, and at least the pearl fingerboard seems intact. There was no obvious label inside, apparently. I think the tailpiece and pegs are intriguing. Is this a common set up, and from what era?

I will attach what photos I have, but I’m afraid I don’t have the instrument in hand. Can any of the classical crowd venture a guess on this instrument’s origins? Experts, what can you tell me?

Thanks.

[BradKlein]

next pic

[BradKlein]

looks like the headstock is joined to the neck, rather than one piece.

[BradKlein]

here's that tailpiece

[BradKlein]

last one
a nice detail of the bridge and top

[Jim Garber]

There were lots of makers who used butterfly inlays on their scratchplates. I don't currently have access to my image library tho this one looks like it may be Italian in origin. The neck joint with a veneer over the neck it usually a giveaway for certain Neapolitan makers. Otherwise, I haven't a clue.

This doesn't look like it is in bad shape. That back crack should be easily fixable. Unless, of course, there are neck problems, it could be a playable instrument again.

[brunello97]

Brad,

Jim's archive is far larger and deeper than mine. Let's hope he finds something of interest. For as many of the farfalla pickguards I've seen go by, I have surprisingly few in my image files. The ones that I do have are from some of the jobber shops in Naples: Stridente, Zanoni, Lanfranco, deMureda, who along with some higher end work appeared to have sold more mass market mandolins as well, perhaps affixing their label to outsourced work. My hunch would be in this direction. While apparently many were made they don't appear mass produced-which is nice-but have a reoccurring combinations of details, inlays, tuner coverplates etc. to greater or lesser extents. The elegant piece of trim wood that follows the 'skirt' piece at the top of the bowl in yours is also feature on a Lanfranco I have (which is identical in all aspects to a deMureda Dave Hynds resurrected last year--hence some of my problems with understanding the providence of some of these mandolins.)

I'd add the knobby tailpiece, bridge with notches and inset saddle, and the multi-nailed/screwed coverplate to Jim's Neapolitan clues.

Some US makers/dealers that were either started by Italian immigrants, employed them or who had working relationships with shops back in Italy would feature some of these details, but not often in such a combination.

All the bling, however, does not necessarily correlate into high end sound. My broad guess time wise would be between 1895 and the beginning of WWI. The tuners might suggest earlier within that scope, though don't hold me to that (or any of this actually....) Some of the above named makers/sellers did a lot of trade with England, either through dealers in the UK or from travelers making the 'Grand Tour'. Many show up on UKebay. Our friend in the UK, Martin Jonas, has quite a bit of knowledge and experience with these early 20th c Italian bowls.

Not to say that any of the above compromises what appears to be a nice instrument. The side angle view suggests the neck angle might be in good shape. (Order of the Bowl boilerplate: use ultra light gauge strings only. Leave the existing finish alone.) It appears like a very pretty mandolin. With a proper set up and strings I'm certain it will sound quite nicely.

I am very fond of this era of Italian bowlbacks and am always seeking more information, so please let us know more about this if you do find out--you might ask your friend where his family acquired the instrument.

Mick

[Martin Jonas]

All the bling, however, does not necessarily correlate into high end sound. My broad guess time wise would be between 1895 and the beginning of WWI. #
I'll go with all of what Jim and Mick have said: Italian, between 1895 and 1914 sounds about right. I'll also agree that the fairly high level of decoration doesn't necessarily correlate to an actual high-end instrument or sound. The butterfly scratchplates in general seem to have been aimed at broader tastes than those catered for by the Calaces and Vinaccias of this world. Those instruments can be a lot of fun, nevertheless, often with a spunky brash in-your-face sort of tone. Don't expect too much subtlety.

Martin

[BradKlein]

Jim, Martin, and Mick -

Thanks so much for the information. That's just what I was looking for, short of a positive ID, which may not be possible from the pics.

When I have the instrument in hand, and we've done some clean up, and basic repair, I'll pass along any added info.

Best wishes,

[JeffD]

Reading all of your posts is like watching CSI for mandolins! You guys are great.