Bowlbacks of Note

**Fliss** · Jun-22-2007, 6:25am

Originally Posted by (brunello97 @ June 21 2007, 19:43)

I've never really understood English money. #Farthing, quid, pence, sterling, etc. etc. ... Right off, #I'm in for a tuppence on this, I think, maybe more. (Or is it schilling?) #
Mick

Mick, It's easy really. A farthing is half of a ha'penny, which in turn is half of a penny. That's one of the old pennies, of course, not to be confused with "new pence". So your tuppence (if that's 2 new pence) is less than a shilling, which would be 5 pence (or 12 old pennies). And of course, 20 shillings makes up your quid.

Of course, if you're thinking you may go a little higher, you might wish to spend as much as half a crown - 12.5 new pence, the equivalent of five sixpences or 10 thru'penny bits.

How can anyone find that confusing??

Fliss (showing my age... )

**brunello97** · Jun-22-2007, 8:11am

Originally Posted by (martinjonas @ June 22 2007, 02:53)

Martin

Yes, I had a hunch that mending plate was not standard equipment. I've got a few things coming down off the blocks later this summer and am looking around for worthwhile project pieces. #The purse is not deep, however.

Fliss, thanks for the economics primer. It's all very clear now, sort of. I guess the euro is pretty convenient, but #I miss some of the old continent money: Maria Montessori on the lira, that cool violin on the (5? 10?) mark. Charles Aznavour on the old 5 france note. At least Corbusier remains on the Swiss franc. #I think.

Mick

**Jim Garber** · Jun-23-2007, 7:01am

Nice looking Vega style 1 (I think) for anyone interested. Looks in good shape and there is a seller guarantee.

Jim

**brunello97** · Jun-23-2007, 1:28pm

Very nice, Jim. I thought you were hunting for a Vega? Are you serious about the Embergher? Is the fire-sale for real?

All this talk about MidAtlanticRim mandos lately has me eyeballing these Vegas anew. I'm doing a PseudoHynds on a low end Vega right how. Low end Vega? I'm old enough to remember the cars. Not the best association.

Mick

**Graham McDonald** · Jun-24-2007, 7:40pm

A couple of Calace mandolins a friend has found in Sydney.

The first is a very fancy one with a fluted back and the neck veneered in tortoiseshell

**Graham McDonald** · Jun-24-2007, 7:42pm

a closeup of the soundhole and pickguard

The previous pics seemed a bit dim. Had to take the pics with a flash

**Graham McDonald** · Jun-24-2007, 7:53pm

and the label which should establish the date?

**Graham McDonald** · Jun-24-2007, 7:54pm

and the second one, rather plainer

**Graham McDonald** · Jun-24-2007, 7:55pm

a closeup of the soundboard. I do like the scopp on the side of the fingerboard extension

**Graham McDonald** · Jun-24-2007, 7:57pm

and the label on this one. The owner is a guitar building friend in Sydney, Gerard Gilet and both will be for sale if anyone is interested (www.giletguitars.com)No personal interest, just a old mate

**Jim Garber** · Jun-24-2007, 8:33pm

Very cool find, Graham, esp the fluted one. I can't tell from the label but it looks like the photo cut off the date. OTOH sometimes these were left blank. I have a "hole-in-the-head" one from about 1920 or so. I would say both were from that era but perhaps one of the Calace experts here can chime in here.

I did a little enhancement on the first photo so you can see a little more detail -- I hope you don't mind.

I love the ornamentation on this one and the tailpiece.

Jim

**Jim Garber** · Jun-24-2007, 8:38pm

Originally Posted by (grahammcd @ June 24 2007, 20:54)

and the second one, rather plainer

My maple Calace is very similar and is from 1921. Same pickguard, different rosette and plainer headstock (no fishtail). Has the same "breathing holes" in the top.

Jim

**Graham McDonald** · Jun-24-2007, 8:45pm

The pics looked better on my Mac at home than they did here at work. I have bigger ones if anyone wants a better look

**Jim Garber** · Jun-24-2007, 8:47pm

Originally Posted by (brunello97 @ June 23 2007, 14:28)

Very nice, Jim. I thought you were hunting for a Vega? Are you serious about the Embergher? Is the fire-sale for real?

I have a nice vega style 3 that is quite a nice player. The only vegas I would consider would be a Pettine or the elusive Abt models.

I can't be serious about the Embergher until I sell a few things in order to afford it. Even if I could put some up for sale I doubt I could sell them in the 7 days or so left before the end of this auction.

Then again, I would consider any offers...

Jim

**Jim Garber** · Jun-25-2007, 5:51am

Here what looks like a German or eastern european mandocello.

Jim

**Jim Garber** · Jun-26-2007, 6:12pm

Carlo M posted this vertigo-inducing shop tour video but it is nice to see his workshop with lots of nice fuzzy eye candy.

Jim

**Eugene** · Jun-26-2007, 10:01pm

I don't have much to say, Graham, other than "yummy."

**Jim Garber** · Jul-01-2007, 8:17am

That tipo 3 Embergher is creeping up in price with bids from a few of our know Embergher folks. Just a few hours left.

UPDATE: with less than an hour to go, the bid is up to €4210.

Jim

**Martin Jonas** · Jul-01-2007, 5:15pm

Originally Posted by (martinjonas @ June 21 2007, 18:47)

Ceccherini on Ebay UK.

It went for 350 Pounds, which I think is pretty much the going rate for a Ceccherini in this condition (with a crack in the soundboard).

The Tipo 3 Embergher stayed at 4210 Euro -- I know Jim's and mine are much more modest, but I think we both got pretty lucky with our respective Tipo A.

Martin

**Jim Garber** · Jul-02-2007, 5:32am

Here is another Tipo A, fully restored by Kurt DeCorte of Belgium, who definitely knows what he is doing on these. My only question is why he eliminated the zero-fret and what effect that has on the overall sound and playability.

Yes, Martin, we sent good money on ours but got in under the wire, I think. They are definitely in demand.

Jim

**Marc** · Jul-02-2007, 5:55am

Hi all,
I have a roman mandolin with the label
'Rafaelle Valente - Roma'
Looks like an Embergher, fluted maple back, canted floating and radiused fretboard, very narrow nut etc. Inlaid Scratchplate is central rather than off to the side (which I think is like the earlier Ems.)Beautifully made although sound is a little thin. Anyone else come across this maker - I can't find anything about him? I'll take some photos if anyones interested...(of course you are, silly question! We wouldn't be posting here if we weren't!!)
thanks,
Marc

www.myspace.com/marcwoodward

**Embergher** · Jul-02-2007, 6:36am

Originally Posted by (jgarber @ July 02 2007, 06:32)

Here is another Tipo A, fully restored by Kurt DeCorte of Belgium, who definitely knows what he is doing on these. My only question is why he eliminated the zero-fret and what effect that has on the overall sound and playability.

Jim

I've seen that type A in Kurt's workshop last week ... still without frets at that time, so I haven't been able to play it but as far as I could see he did a wonderful job on the restauration and copying the original fingerboard.

About the zero fret: Kurt did not "eliminate" it #... this mandolin didn't originally have a zero fret, which is absolutely normal in this period.
A zero fret certainly has its advantages, but a well made nut without zero fret works fine as well and doesn't affect playability.
As a player, one might consider asking for a zero fret when a nut or complete fingerboard really needs to be replaced, but - fortunately - Kurt is quite conscious about originality so he made an exact copy of the original fingerboard.

**Jim Garber** · Jul-02-2007, 10:19am

Hi Ralf:
So did the Embergher workshop add the zero-fret later after 1909 (I don't have your book handy here)? Why did they do that?

Jim

**Fliss** · Jul-02-2007, 1:43pm

Originally Posted by (jgarber @ July 02 2007, 06:32)

Here is another Tipo A, fully restored by Kurt DeCorte of Belgium, who definitely knows what he is doing on these.
Jim

Just when I'd resolved not to buy another vintage mandolin

But I think this will go too high to be a serious test of my resolve!

Fliss

**Jim Garber** · Jul-02-2007, 3:48pm

That one, Fliss, would be a good possibility if you have the money for it. Esp good since Kurt has restored it and Ralf has seen it meaning it could be a nice player. The downside is that it is known to those competitive wolves in the Embergher-buying public.

I am still waiting for that tipo 3 showing up at my local flea market. In the US these are still relatively unknown but less common than most also.

Jim