A hybrid flatback mandolin

[Plamen Ivanov]

Hello!

Here it is: a picture of the mandolin, that I recently found. It looks like a solid, modern one, but involves characteristics of different wellknown mandolin types. I would like to know more about everything connected with this instrument - builder, sound, etc. Any ideas?

Good luck!

[Jim Garber]

That looks like the work of the inlaidartist, a Taiwanese seller on eBay. You can see another of these (among many) here. His name is Antonio Tsai. Is the headstock of this one sort of odd? He describes it as an F5 head, but it is more of a parody of one and reversed. The tailpiece also looks like his, as well as the vent holes on the side.

Re-reading your post I realize you don't say you actually own it only that you found it. There were some posting about Mr. Tsai sometime ago on these boards. Mixed reviews BTW. Instruments looked good, with beautiful inlays, but were overbuilt.

Here are the threads that discussed these mandolins: 1, 2, 3.

Here is another of Tony's works, an elaboarte bowlback.

Jim

[Plamen Ivanov]

Thanks, Jim! Yes, you are right - I don`t own this mandolin, just found the picture in Internet. The reports are discrepant. Obviously the future will show how his mandolins will be accepted from the mandolin players. Has anyone of the people here tried a bowlback mandolin made by Antonio Tsai?

[Plamen Ivanov]

There are two of his instruments included in the EIYAMAK colection. The first one looks good...

Here

[Plamen Ivanov]

This guy looks young. Here is his website. His last model 2003 looks similar to a Calace model. Obviously Mr. Tsai tries to improve his work. Let`s wish him good luck!

[Jim Garber]

I had emailed him last year about doing some inlay work. His prices are quite reasonable. I trhink he may be working in a relative vacuum, not being exposed to the fine instruments.

On the other hand I prefer the less ornate of his. Aethetically too many of his instruments are over the top.

Jim