Bowlbacks of Note

[Embergher]

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

There are quite a few advantages to a zero fret (the Embergher workshop even added a zero fret to some older instruments when they came back for repair or maintenance):

- a more accurate datum for the strings (faster production too)
- equal tone quality on both open strings and fretted notes
- no problems with strings getting stuck in a nut with slots that are just slightly too narrow, or buzz problems when the slots are just slightly too wide.
- when the zero fret wears (if it wears at all) you simply replace it. Making a new nut (and nuts without zero fret do wear!) takes much more time (= much more expensive)
- ...

But as I said ... a very accurately made nut without zero fret can of course work fine ... it's just less practical, less durable, and often less accurate.

[Martin Jonas]

At the current price of 25 Pounds with 12 hours to go, this de Meglio clone looks a good deal. Of course, some clones are closer to the real thing than others and it's difficult to say whether this is one of the coarse ones or not.

That's actuall cheaper than this Fratelli Frati, which looks like somebody decided the soundhole was too small and cut it a bit larger...

A rather strikingly decorated Puglisi, with a strangely thin fretboard extension. Made in 1917, in the middle of World War I.

This Loveri might also be quite nice. Very similar to one that passed through my hands a couple of years ago and was a thoroughly delightful instrument.

Dave Hynds has a de Meglio clone, too, this Carlo Rinaldi. I own one of these (on permanent loan to a friend who plays it in a rock band!) and it's a raucous little beast.

Martin

[Fliss]

That one, Fliss, would be a good possibility if you have the money for it.

Jim, you're no help at all What makes it particularly tempting is, as with the one Ralf was selling, that it comes from a reputable source and won't need any work doing.

However, I am going to have to stick to my resolve on this, tempting though it is. I love the tone of my Calace, and I need to stick with that one for a while and give it a fair chance before deciding whether it will be my keeper or not.

Fliss

[Bob A]

Well, I love the tone of Calace instruments too, but you may find that a variety of instruments provides you with a broad tonal palette. And backup instruments always come in handy. You might break a string, for example. And of course you'll find economies of scale; strings last much longer if you rotate among mandolins.

If you find yourself short of excuses, feel free to consult this board - it's why we're here (and broke).

[Fliss]

If you find yourself short of excuses, feel free to consult this board - it's why we're here (and broke).

Thanks Bob!

Fliss

[JeffD]

Seen this one? Look at 54M. Its a Ferrari.

I just always wanted a sticker on my case that said: "My other mandolin is a Ferrari."


http://www.hapmoore.com/images/july0...struments.html

[Fliss]

After never having seen a Lanfranco mandolin before I recently had one pass briefly through my hands, there are now two on e-bay, one virtually identical to the one I had but if anything in even better condition, the other a little less decorated and definitely not such good condition.

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Antique-Bowl-Back-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ260135844316QQihZ016QQcategoryZ1 0179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewIt

em" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Antique....iewItem</a>

(Edit - sorry I can't seem to get the link to work but it's Item number: 260135844316 on ebay UK)

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Antique-Bowl-Mandolin-Achille-Lanfran-Zigli-Naples-a-f_W0QQitemZ250139368815QQihZ015QQcate




goryZ10179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Antique....iewItem</a>

Also yet another De Meglio, in need of some TLC:

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gav-Giovanni-De-Meglio-E-Figlio-Naples-1896-Signed_W0QQitemZ110146408191QQihZ001QQcategory




Z10179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gav-Gio....iewItem</a>

And a very decorative Il Globo:

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OLD-IL-GLOBO-ITALIAN-ROUNDBACK-MANDOLIN_W0QQitemZ200126239465QQihZ010QQcategoryZ1 0179QQrdZ




1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OLD-IL-....iewItem</a> #

Fliss

[Jim Garber]

Here is that first Lafranco

And, while we are at it, a hole-in-the-head Calace (undetermined age -- 1920s?) from Australia. This one is esp interesting with a small ball of ivory in the hole.

Jim

[Fliss]

Thanks Jim.

That Calace looks nice, I must say.

Here's a curiosity on ebay UK, billed as "Sistema De meglio" and it even says that on the label, but with nothing in common with the De Meglio system as far as i can see:

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OLD-CASED-ITALIAN-NAPOLI-MANDOLIN-in-need-of-repair_W0QQitemZ120139448937QQihZ002QQcategor
yZ10179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OLD-CAS....iewItem</a>

Fliss

[brunello97]

Fliss,

I'm never too clear on my prepositional usification (in any language) but maybe this might be a bit of clever marketing implying simply "Better (or Best) System" as well as a reference to the de Meglio operation.

Mick

[Martin Jonas]

Interesting look on this German bowlback. No cant, and a small longitudinal soundhole together with an elegant-looking slender headstock. I wonder whether this may actually be a mandola -- there is no info on scale length.

1963 Calace.

This De Meglio needs a new bridge, but looks OK otherwise (although the poor photos may hide some sins).

Martin

[dave17120]

"Interesting look on this German bowlback."

It would appear to be 78cms long, so you were right Martin.
Dave

[Jim Garber]

Interesting look on this German bowlback. No cant,

I don't know how you can tell that there is no cant from those pics. It look like it might have a subtle one.

Jim

[Martin Jonas]

Hmmm... Maybe. To me it just looks like a flat board, but that can admittedly be difficult to tell on a plan view. I also think that the cant, if there is one, should be included on the close-up aroudn the brand stamp and I can't see it there either.

Martin

[Jim Garber]

An (alleged) Vinaccia from another seller in Uruguay. I am not so sure that this is even a Vinaccia since the seller only shows a fragmented label saying Fratelli. It is a fluted bowled instrument tho, obviously from Naples.

Jim

[dave17120]

So what are the chances that the head on this de Meglio is original?? Dave #
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Antique-Mandolin-Giovanni-de-Meglio-NAPLES-1897-NAPOLI_W0QQitemZ120140958706QQihZ002QQcate
goryZ10179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">here</a>

[Martin Jonas]

Here is a Giuseppe Vinaccia. #No bids at 100 Pounds with under two days to go. #Still, I expect this one to go up, even if it's a no-feedback seller. #My own Giuseppe Vinaccia is a very nice instrument. #Somewhat quiet, but exceptionally mellow and subtle tone, almost like a nylon-strung instrument. #This one looks slightly fancier, and (unusually for any Vinaccia) has a slotted headstock. #Seeing the label would probably be handy.

Another Calace-esque Puglisi. Didn't we have a virtually identical one a few weeks ago?

This German bowlback is vaguely Embergher-esque and looks well-made, but doesn't come close to matching the subtle elegance of the Embergher recurve.

Martin

[JeffD]

Another Calace-esque Puglisi. #Didn't we have a virtually identical one a few weeks ago?

What is that mark below the bridge on the treble side?

[Martin Jonas]

Another Calace-esque Puglisi. Didn't we have a virtually identical one a few weeks ago?

What is that mark below the bridge on the treble side?

Just a brand mark. Quite common in Italian (and German) bowlbacks.

And yes, we did have it a couple of weeks ago
here: no bids at 169 Pounds.

Martin

[Martin Jonas]

I somebody is looking for a high-quality bowlback (octave) mandola, and is quick off the mark, here is a Herwiga Solist at 245 Euro with under one hour to go. I've never played one, but these "onion" Herwigas have a fabulous reputation!

Martin

[Martin Jonas]

Here is a Giuseppe Vinaccia. #No bids at 100 Pounds with under two days to go. #Still, I expect this one to go up, even if it's a no-feedback seller. #My own Giuseppe Vinaccia is a very nice instrument. #Somewhat quiet, but exceptionally mellow and subtle tone, almost like a nylon-strung instrument. #This one looks slightly fancier, and (unusually for any Vinaccia) has a slotted headstock. #Seeing the label would probably be handy.

Ooomph! I think I need to reassess my thoughts on the value of my Giuseppe Vinaccia. Even with a no-feedback seller, and with a never-fulfilled promise of additional photographs to come, this one sold for 1220 Pounds (around $2500) after a flurry of last-minute bids.

Martin

[brunello97]

Sit on your stock, Martin. This is very good for you (and others.) What was it last year? Prada, Guicci? that was hanging in CDeGaulle? The bowlback thing may be riding deep, deep.

Y'all who got in early on these bowlback IPOs should be justifiably able to gloat a bit. (At least I hope the values hold up for you.) All I have is a pair of pretty modest Italian bowls but they do sound so, so good. I can only imagine the rarified air that you guys are able to fly in. It must be very nice.

These are great instruments to track along on the ebay.

Mick

[Bob A]

Don't give up hope, Mick. Bargains abound. (I'd be tempted on the Puglisi, myself, if it didn't need repair and thr shipping weren't so high. And if I weren't already buried beneath too many bowlbacks.)

[dave17120]

Anyone spotted this Vinaccia, 9 hours left if you have a spare £3,000 or so......
Dave
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MANDOLINE-Italienne-annee-1770-ANTONIUS-VINACCIA_W0QQitemZ290138100017QQihZ019QQcategoryZ1
04485QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Vinaccia</a>

[Bill Snyder]

Here is a Midland eight string, bowlback "ukulele" at Shopgoodwill.com.