Neapolitan mandolin plans needed

[Rev-war Sailor]

Ahoy,
I have searched and searched for Baroque / Neapolitan mandolin plans. I wish to consruct a "bowel-back" mandolin. I have searched the internet and dozens of libraries. I have the wood working skill and experiance, but I don't have the "specs." Can anyone please help? Thanks, Al Pratt

[Martin Jonas]

Hi Al,

Try these threads:

Link (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?11674-Bowl-Back-plans-book&highlight=embergher+plans)

link (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?27938-Looking-for-bowl-back-%28neapolitan%29-mando-plans&highlight=embergher+plans)

link (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?22751-a-classical-mandolin-build&highlight=embergher+plans)

link (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?25222-a-classical-Embergher-reproduction&highlight=embergher+plans)

link (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?32605-Building-a-bowlback&highlight=Lippi+embergher)

link (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?26059-Embergher-3-copy-by-lorenzo-lippi&highlight=Lippi+embergher)

There is some reference in these threads to plans that were sold a few years ago on Ebay. Those were prepared by Lorenzo Lippi in Milan, and they're a great starting point. I don't know whether he still sells them but it's probably worthwhile to contact him. Unfortunately, I don't have his e-mail address, but maybe somebody else does.

Incidentally, I suspect that the reason why you didn't find anything is that the correct spelling is "bowlback", not "bowel-back".

Martin

[Jim Garber]

Lorenzo still sells the Embergher poster/plans (http://www.iror.it/pubblicazioni/disegni/mandolino_embergher.htm). It is not so easy to find it on his site. First you have to go to Pubblicazioni then Disegni. This page (http://www.iror.it/pubblicazioni/disegni.htm) has other plans including a DeSantis and an Embergher mandoloncello.

Jahnel's Manual of Guitar Technology has plans and descriptions for building a few bowlback instruments. Unfortunately, it is out of print.

[Rev-war Sailor]

Thanks Martin, I'll look into it. I would think that with the beauty and elegance of this style of mandolin, there would be dozens of luthiers out there making them. I did find plans for a mandore based on one made in around 1650. I might have to start with that. Also thanks for the spelling lesson... To quote, “I’m a doctor, not a typist, Jim.” Thanks again,

[Rev-war Sailor]

Thanks, Jim, I am having some trouble nav'ing the site, but it looks like this is what I am looking for. Thanks agin, Al Oh, P.S. In another reply, I use the name "Jim" in a quote. Please don't take offence I'm referring to “James T. Kirk.”