Lyre Mando...

[telepbrman]

What is the scoop on lyre mandolins? Thanks, dy.

[s1m0n]

The scoop? Don't believe a word they say!

[Eugene]

Absolutely wacky and reputed to be unplayable. The only I've handled in person was by Turturo of NYC. Where did you come across one? Some are worth a bit o' money only by virtue of association with famous European shops (esp. Calace).

[Bob A]

According to Sparks they were made to be playable 'way up the neck. What they may have sounded like is another story. They are associated mainly with the Calace shop, but a few other makers have produced them. I think they were mostly made and used in Naples, during the heyday of the mandolin orchestras.

A couple Calaces turn up each year. They are visually quite arresting; if you have some spare cash and a taste for the bizarre, they're just the thing. (There are three on the Music-treasures mandolin (pictorial) CD; they seem to be artfully crafted, and even attractive in a strange way).

If you have one, or get one, or get to play one, please post photos and your impressions. The folks in the Classical section would certainly like to hear about it.

[Jim Garber]

You can see one, also called a mandolira, here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3745221604).

Jim

[delsbrother]

http://www.bernunzio.com/pictures/069941.jpg

At bernunzios. (http://www.bernunzio.com/item.php?sku=069941)

[Keith Miller]

Musikalia still make them about 1000 euros if I remember correctly
Keith