My C.A. Kisslinger (1902) mandolin

[Eugenia]

I have bought this beauty last year in Sweden (where I live now). It has been made by C.A. Kisslinger in 1902.





















I hope I will be able to change the strings myself and actually start using it. I used to play mandoline in a music school when I was a child (and actually have managed to become the best in the country), but now I do not remember a thing and have to start from a scratch

So far, the old strings have not been keeping the tuning for more than a few minutes, and I am wondering how bad that might be. I really hope that it will not turn out to be just a decoration for the house!

[brunello97]

That is a beauty, Eugenia. Thank you for sharing it with us and welcome to the Mandolin Cafe! There is a small cadre of bowlback mandolin lovers here (amidst all the mandolin lovers.) We have come to appreciate Cav. Kisslinger's work. Your mandolin is particularly lovely, especially the ornate sleeve guard. That is a lot of bling on there.

My hunch is that your tuning problems are coming from the old strings. Why not try out a new pair, particularly if you are ready to begin playing again? Certainly enough mandolin players in Sweden, but be sure to keep very light strings on the this (as I'm sure you know.) Maybe some Dogals? I'm sure they would sound great on your Kisslinger.

Please stay in touch....

Mick

[JEStanek]

Lovely and Welcome to the Mandolin Cafe.

Jamie

[Tavy]

That's one sweet mando - definitely time for some new strings so you can start making some music - don't put anything too heavy on an old bowlback like that though - certainly nothing heavier than the Martin .010-.034 set.

[Randi Gormley]

Love the tailpiece cover -- a pretty instrument all around. I hope, with new strings, it'll sing for you!

[Jim Garber]

That is a beauty and prob one of the higher end models. Tho only cosmetic you might someday want to replace the pearl piece on the back of the neck near the headstock in photo #6 and the small piece of pearl that ends the fretboard (photo #9).