Bowlbacks of Note

[vic-victor]

Mandolin made by Adolfo Macchia 1913, Sao Paolo, Brazil

[Jim Garber]

Victor: that is a beauty. It it yours? If so, how does it sound?

[vic-victor]

Hi Jim. Not mine. Also thought it is lovely and posted here for posterity. It is currently for sale here

[brunello97]

Am I getting this right? 1430 Brazilian Real comps to about $450 US. Seems like a reasonable price to me.

Mick

[vic-victor]

Yes, quite reasonable. I'd buy this one, but have too many projects going at the moment. Anyone?

[vic-victor]

An instrument from the classifieds in Russia, heavily absued and pretty plain. But an interesting maker that I haven't seen mentioning of anywhere before. M. Piazza & A. Rizza, Via Torrisi No. 1, Catania. Label in French.

[brunello97]

New to me as well, Victor. Thanks!

Mick

[lex-joe]

Yes, quite reasonable. I'd buy this one, but have too many projects going at the moment. Anyone?

Wow wish there was a way to know how this mandolin sounds and play I would be really interested in it.

[vostoke]

does someone know more about this model? is it a low starting price? http://www.lauritz.com/en/auction/lu...1924/i3856231/

[Jim Garber]

does someone know more about this model? is it a low starting price? http://www.lauritz.com/en/auction/lu...1924/i3856231/

That is a student model A made in 1924. The price is low but it is an auction with 2 days to go. Also, it looks like the top may have some sinkage or warpage and a non-original bridge, so you need to take that into consideration as well as the buyer's premium as well as a hammer fee: "A buyer's premium of 20% and a hammer fee will be added to the stated price."

Google translate says:"Luigi Embergher, mandolin, Roma 1924
Luigi Embergher, mandolin, Roma 1924. Label the bottom. Wear, rep. by drying ability on the deck and sank under the chair. L. about 57 cm."

I assume that "deck" refers to the top or table. Good luck on it if you bid.

[Bob A]

With the top perhaps preparing to collapse, the estimate of 335 Euros is probably fair It's hard to judge the amount or duration of the sinkage, or whether the fibers of the top have been irretrievably crushed in the process, so even after repairs it might not be up to the standard of the Embergher atelier. The likelihood of effecting repairs in Europe is better than in the US. Still, you're looking at shipping the thing around Europe, then getting it to the US. If it was particularly rare it might be worth the effort, but you'd have to figure on several months' wait before you could actually play it.

Your mileage may vary, but I myself am too old and close to the hereafter to deal with that sort of action.

(I just recently received a mandolin that I'd bought more than a decade ago, and sent immediately to a luthier for repair work. I'm pleased to have it, but fortunately I had others to play while I waited . . . and waited . . .)

[Martin Veit]

Isn't it funny? A Bowlback of note, build around 1900 in the U.S. - here in Germany in an auction on ebay:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/161714700842?...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I guess, that it is a fair price too, although it seems, that there is a bad crack in the back.

[derbex]

More Emberghers on ebay.
Details about Luigi Embergher Mandoline Roma No.19 von 1910 needs restauration

and

Details about Luigi EMBERGHER MANDOLIN mandolino Italy 1906

I can afford the 72p for the first one, but it seems to need a lot of work.

[lex-joe]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RAFFAELE-CAL...ht_17362wt_867

any thoughts on this mandolin?

[vic-victor]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RAFFAELE-CAL...ht_17362wt_867

any thoughts on this mandolin?

It is nice. In tradition of nice D-hole Calaces of early XX century, but with the modern touches, like different inlays and string protector. But the point is that mandolin is made in 1958. Should it be made during the lifetime of Raffaele Calace instead, the price would be right, otherwise, I suspect the only place to sell it would be Japan, as they love Calaces there, both old and new

[lex-joe]

Thanks for the info. vic-victor

[Tavy]

Here's a Ceccherini that's just arrived with a number of unusual features:



Extended fretboard floats above the top:



Label has a serial number, which I've not seen before on a Ceccherini, still no date though



Bridge is a work of art:



Lastly the second soundboard is full length, but pierced with 4 holes about 3/4" in diameter, and placed in a diamond shape - 2 in the middle at either end (near soundhole and tailpiece), and 2 either side about half way along:



I wonder if Ceccherini was active long enough to have been influenced by Gibson/Virzi, or was it maybe the other way around?

[Bruce Clausen]

Nice one, John. What work will you be doing on it?

I think the earlier (?) Italian-language labels sometimes have a number and sometimes not. Martin will know for sure. Here's mine:

[Tavy]

Nice one, John. What work will you be doing on it?

Fretwork/fretboard needs a lot of work to make playable, also there's some soundboard distortion near the soundhole that needs straightening out, a loose brace to reglue, and a back split to glue up. Plus whatever else I spot. Definitely a heck of a clean too

[enoloG]

Some mandolins coming up at Bromptons. Lot 202 look later than 1890 to me, interesting though.

http://www.bromptons.co/auction/29th...in/page-1.html

[brunello97]

Some mandolins coming up at Bromptons. Lot 202 look later than 1890 to me, interesting though.

http://www.bromptons.co/auction/29th...in/page-1.html

Nice examples! Interesting to see the Pasquale Vinaccia label on the same Rua Catalana, 53 address.

Mick

[Scot63]

Just wanted to show off my nearly restored unlabeled Markneukirchen(?) bowlback (it was on this thread a while back). It recently got a missing piece of mother of pearl replaced, so now is in as a good shape as it's likely ever to be. I'm really pleased with it!

[Bill Clements]

The Ditson Empire arrived today earlier than expected from my eBay seller.
It's going to need some work but overall it's in decent shape. Bridge will need some attention, as some notches have broken in the saddle. The top is slightly caved under the pickguard, and I think the tuner machines need cleaning and oiling-but it does have newer strings so they appear functional. No cracks anywhere. I can't play right now but will take it into Elderly this week. Mick, note the placement of the serial number.

[brunello97]

Bingo. Thanks, Bill. SN matches location, number of digits and type font. Can't comp the # itself at the moment.

It looks to be in good overall shape, the neck in particular. Nice score. I hope both you and the mandolin are both mended soon.

Mick

[Eddie Sheehy]

I picked up this piece in amazing condition - no cracks, splits, sinking, straight neck... The label is torn but looks like A. Galiano, then Raphael Ciani on either side of a Mason's calipers -there may be some small writing in pencil under CIANI, then MANDOLINI E CHITARRE Garantite. I thought it was Italian, since the label is written in Italian but Mick put me on to researching Raphael Ciani who was the Great-uncle of John D'Angelico - John was his apprentice at the A. Galiano factory. here is a link to a mandolin with the same label as mine that is accredited to John D'Angelico making it for Raphael... http://orgs.usd.edu/nmm/PluckedStrin...olin13563.html