Bowlbacks of Note

[brunello97]

Yep, not worth purchasing, for sure. But I am curious if someone have seen the label like that? Does not look llike a Ceccherini label, though the instrument itself does.

It does have a "double top" though, John. Maybe a triple or quadruple.

Victor--I've seen that label "Estudiantina" on a few mandolins of distinctly different styles. While the label says "Napoli-Milano" the stamp on one of the mandolins says "Catania". My guess is that they were a distributor -- could well have had a Ceccherini to relabel as well. Here are a couple examples.

Mick

[vic-victor]

Thanks Mick. That's it, same label, Estudiantina. Another question, somewhat related, have any other makers used the tension hooks behind the bridge or it is mainly Ceccherini feature?

[Tavy]

Thanks Mick. That's it, same label, Estudiantina. Another question, somewhat related, have any other makers used the tension hooks behind the bridge or it is mainly Ceccherini feature?

I hadn't come across any until recently when this Kisslinger came up:



Doesn't look good enough to be a Ceccherini to me though.

[Martin Jonas]

I hadn't come across any until recently when this Kisslinger came up:

Doesn't look good enough to be a Ceccherini to me though.

Kisslinger is also the name that occurred to me -- I'm fairly sure I've seen several Ceccherini-like Kisslingers before, although he also has other designs. I've never seen one in person, but they tend to go for quite a lot of money, which makes the selling price of that Japanese one surprising. However, only actual Ceccherinis have the double top. He had a patent on that design.

I suspect the trashed one in Russia is a Kisslinger, as I have a recollection of seeing these metal bridges on a similar Kisslinger before and as there doesn't seem to be a double top visible through the wreckage.

Martin

[brunello97]

I suspect the trashed one in Russia is a Kisslinger, as I have a recollection of seeing these metal bridges on a similar Kisslinger before and as there doesn't seem to be a double top visible through the wreckage.

Martin

The mandolin Victor posted appears to have the same screw down bridge as this Kisslinger that I have in my files--along with the tension clips.

Mick

[Martin Jonas]

The mandolin Victor posted appears to have the same screw down bridge as this Kisslinger that I have in my files--along with the tension clips.

Mick

Yes, indeed -- that's what I remembered. Same fretboard extension, too.

Martin

[vic-victor]

Great. The Russian one looks very much like the Kisslinger posted by Mick. Kudos to John Mick and Martin! Thanks!

[Tavy]

Time for an update on the Ceccherini, I'm really pretty pleased with this one, it cleaned up well, and with the missing MOP replaced and the broken tortoiseshell patched up, it looks amazing (sounds pretty good too):

[brunello97]

Beautiful work, John, as always. That's a jewel.

I'm guessing the repositioning of the bass side of the bridge is to get the intonation where you want it to be. That's a fairly big adjustment, though, from the original position of the "tan line" is any indication.

What do you make of it? Do you think the instrument was always that off? Or a combination of things: strings, subtle bowl / neck changes over 100+ years?

Mick

[Tavy]

Beautiful work, John, as always. That's a jewel.

I'm guessing the repositioning of the bass side of the bridge is to get the intonation where you want it to be. That's a fairly big adjustment, though, from the original position of the "tan line" is any indication.

What do you make of it? Do you think the instrument was always that off? Or a combination of things: strings, subtle bowl / neck changes over 100+ years?

It's a good question - the markers are placed approximately at the "theoretical" position - so if you placed the bridge there I wonder if it ever really played in tune? It's also been discussed before that the nuts on these are always shaped so as to make the first fret too long (and so all fretted notes sharp): you either have to radically reshape the metal nut or just replace it with as new bone one to get things in tune. Another strange fact is that this one has a 335mm scale length rather than the more usual 330mm: that might suggest the fretboard is a later replacement, however, I see no signs of it having been replaced.

[vic-victor]

Beautiful Ceccherini. A sound slip would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Tavy]

Beautiful Ceccherini. A sound slip would be appreciated. Thanks!

Unfortunately it will have to remain sound-less:

* I need to pack it up and get it off to it's owner, but more to the point...
* I'm currently having some elbow issues which means I haven't played properly in the last 8 weeks - when I do finally get the green light I'm going to be so bad it'll be painful on the ears - I can tell that already from the small amount of "plinking" I've done while setting up instruments!

[Tavy]

Unfortunately it will have to remain sound-less:

* I need to pack it up and get it off to it's owner, but more to the point...
* I'm currently having some elbow issues which means I haven't played properly in the last 8 weeks - when I do finally get the green light I'm going to be so bad it'll be painful on the ears - I can tell that already from the small amount of "plinking" I've done while setting up instruments!

I relented, hopefully 5 minutes playing won't hurt too much:

[vic-victor]

Thanks, John! Great bass and sustain, clear trebles. Really good instrument. Forgot to ask if there is a double top? Doesn't look like, but better to double check.

[Tavy]

Thanks, John! Great bass and sustain, clear trebles. Really good instrument. Forgot to ask if there is a double top? Doesn't look like, but better to double check.

Yes, very much double topped.

[DavidKOS]

Found a picture of my old bowlback (it's long gone) while scanning old pictures

I think it was a Suzuki - no label

[brunello97]

Still have the vest?

Mick

[DavidKOS]

Still have the vest?

Mick

Actually, yes, although it has a few more beads and tassels after a few years at the North CA Renn Fair.

That picture was taken in about 1985. I had the mandolin about 10 years already.

Here are the last pics I have of me in it, with Habiru belly dance group

[brunello97]

Nice work if you can get it, David.



There's a melody just waiting for a mandolin. A nice evening task stretches out in front of me….

Mick

[derbex]

Mandolino embergher 5 bis http://r.ebay.com/HYcP7Q

[Jim Garber]

Mandolino embergher 5 bis http://r.ebay.com/HYcP7Q

As far as I can tell this is an Embergher copy: Amerigo Forlani? Famous? not so sure about that. The workmanship on this one looks less subtle than actual Embergher shop mandolins.

Favoloso mandolino modello embergher 5 bis costruito da un famoso liutaio di Torino nel 1945 Forlani Amerigo via Montenegro n. 184 Torino
Il mandolino e in ottima stato perfetto al 100/ per cento tutto originale. Questo liutaio costruiva mandolini per concertisti e solisti solo su ordinazione . Questo modello e identico a un embergher n. 5 bis sia per la sua leggerezza che per suono e maneggievolezza tastiera il guscio a forma di pera e doghe scanalate. E' identiche (vedi foto) per domande o altre foto potete contattarmi grazie

Google Translate:

Fabulous Mandolin Embergher 5 a model built by a famous luthier in Turin in 1945 Forlani Amerigo via Montenegro n. 184 Turin
Mandolin and excellent been perfect 100 / percent completely original. This luthier built mandolins for musicians and soloists only on order. This model is identical to a Embergher n. 5a both for its lightness and for sound and keyboard maneggievolezza the shell pear shaped and grooved planks. And 'identical (see photo) for questions or more pictures please contact me thanks

[Martin Jonas]

Quite impressive, however, for anybody in Turin to build a credible 5bis copy in 1945 -- fighting there continued right up to the ceasefire in May 1945, followed by considerable post-war upheaval for the rest of the year. Not ideal condition to either make or sell a high-end mandolin.

Martin

[derbex]

If we're not keen on that there's this Vinaccia in need of some TLC http://r.ebay.com/W7otPz

[brunello97]

You're nobody until you're famous in Westchester, I guess. Doing this quality work ought to make one at least locally famous. 90% as good as LE? 75% as good? Still looks favoloso, as does the price. Hopefully the quality goes with it.

Mick

[Tavy]

Not seen one of these for sale before - mandolin by Gabriel Pandini