Mandolinos Galore

[etbarbaric]

For those with interest in historically-oriented 17th and 18th century mandolinos and Neapolitan mandolins, I wanted to call your attention to the instruments of Carlo Ceccone. Marco Onorati has recently started listing Sr. Ceccone's work and he now shows a wide variety of models to choose from. To my knowledge, this is one of the broadest ranges of copies of originals available from most any luthier.

Mandolins of Carlo Cecconi (http://www.mandolinoitaliano.com/viewcat.php?cat=5)

We discussed one of these instruments before (can't remember what thread), but now he shows no less than five different mandolinos, a Cremonese mandolin, a "chitarrino" that resembles the small mandore or "octave lute" in Vienna, and several other types. In addition to a copy of an 18th century Neapolitan Vinaccia, he also offers copies of bass mandolins, including both a Presbler bass mandolino, as well as a reproduction of an eight-course Neapolitan mandolone.

I understand that Sr. Ceccone is apparently only reachable via snail-mail so Marco is listing his instruments for him.

Does anyone have any experience with Sr. Ceccone's work? From the photographs, the instruments seem to be lightly and accurately built.

Best,

Eric

Disclaimer: This is only an informational post as I have no financial interest the sale of Sr. Ceccone's instruments or in Marco's business.

[Jim Garber]

Disclaimer: #This is only an informational post as I have no financial interest the sale of Sr. Ceccone's instruments or in Marco's business.
Eric:
I heard thru the mando-grapevine that you were negotiating to set up an exclusive dealership for Ceccone products in the southwest, thereby making a killing in the lucrative mandolino market. Fess up! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Jim

[Jim Garber]

Ceccone has a Smorsone (http://www.mandolinoitaliano.com/previewcat.php?cat=5&view=103) copy. How does it compare to yours Eugene aside from 5 course vs. 6 and a copy of an earlier one.

Jim

[Eugene]

Other than decorative features and number of courses, they look very similar.

Man, I'm suddenly wishing I was very rich!

[etbarbaric]

Well Jim... where mandos are involved, my cash seems to flow mostly in the outward direction. I understand that to be in business, you actually have to *sell* something. :-) So... I guess I lied.... my financial interest would be in *support* of his business... and the detriment of my child's college future.

Since you mentioned Sr. Cecconi's Smorsone copy, it is interesting to note that (like the recently Smorsone restoration in the U.K.) he chose a five-course model. I have asked Marco (to ask Sr. Cecconi) to provide more information about the originals upon which these copies are based.

Eric

ps - Eugene... I know *exactly* what you mean. With good copies of the bass Presbler and the 8-course Mandolone available, maybe someone can actually figure out how to use these things!

[vkioulaphides]

[QUOTE]"With good copies of the bass Presbler and the 8-course Mandolone available, maybe someone can actually figure out how to use these things!"

Eric! You are provoking my base/bass instincts!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[etbarbaric]

Excellent Victor, excellent! I can do nothing but encourage you. These lower pitched versions of the various regional mandolin types survive in decent numbers in museums and collections... but seemingly little is known about how they were tuned/pitched/employed.

I once had the opportunity to purchase a lovely 18th century Genoese "Mandolone" in original condition... I was broke at the time and I couldn't make it happen... I've regretted it ever since.

Of course, with your experience, I think a matching archlute and mandolino would suite you well!

Eric

[John Bertotti]

I just tried the link but every page came up saying this.
"Attualmente non ci sono prodotti per la categoria selezionata!"
What exactly does it say? Thanks John

[Eugene]

Try starting on Sig. Onorati's home page (http://www.mandolinoitaliano.com/) and follow his links from there.

[etbarbaric]

The Website is just a tad intermittent. I have had it stall out on me several times. If you don't get results, wait a while and try again.

Eric

[vkioulaphides]

[QUOTE]"Attualmente non ci sono prodotti per la categoria selezionata!"

No products presently (listed) in the selected category. I had the same problem, then went back to the homepage, as Eugene suggests— and after I felt rather dumb for a few tries... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

Maybe I've been in this country too long, maybe it's my millennial ancestry in merchantry but... ah... prices? Even dreams come with stickers!

[etbarbaric]

Oh... I translated it as "The Embergher you ordered has been charged to your credit card"... :-)

And yes, I agree, listing prices would seem to be easier than responding to lots of e-mail queries. In my experience, Marco is very responsive with e-mail

Eric

[Eugene]

Respectively: yes (AA-D-G-c), yes, I don't believe so, and it looks to be.

[Eugene]

Sorry, I was speaking of the modern mandolone which is as different from the early mandolone as the mandolino is from the modern instrument. I just looked, and the one on Onorati's site is of the earlier breed.