Dofra Mandolins-Germany

[dulcillini]

Anyone here have any experience with Dofra mandolins, built in Germany. They are the classical bowl back style.

Thanks

Mike

[Jason Kessler]

I have a Dofra.

It was my first mandolin, purchased in a pawn shop on New York's upper east side. The neighborhood was mostly German, until the Slocum disaster (which, until 9/11, represented the greatest loss of lives in New York history) annihilated and dispersed that community.

The mandolin is not a bowl back but, rather, a 3-inches-deep flat-top with a gently curving back made up of a handful of strips of alternating-colored wood. It has an asymmetrical pick guard of black plastic with flowers etched into it.

However, its most unusual feature is that the inside of the instrument appears to be wallpapered.

It was always a bit rough to play due to the fact that the fret wire was more for railroad track construction rather than musical instrument use, but it had a nice tone, despite the wallpaper. It had the bass response and sustain that one would expect from a deep instrument, and which I enjoy. Not a snappy bluegrass snare of an instrument, to be sure, but it did yeoman service in a bunch of folk and rock bands over the last 25 years.

And until this afternoon, I never heard anyone else use the name "Dofra." I'll be interested to see what the Great Minds on this site chime in with. Mike? Allen?

[allenhopkins]

I'll be interested to see what the Great Minds on this site chime in with. Mike? Allen?

Thanx for the compliment, Jason, but "Dofra" is a new one on me.

[Jim Garber]

I think that shallow style is called Portuguese. Very common among German-made mandolins.

What else does the OP want to know. You might post a photo for better info.

[Graham McDonald]

It will disappear soon, but the Builder of the Day on the home page is Dofra. Their webpage (and it is just one page) has little information other than a picture of a mandolin, but the current builder is the fifth generation to be building mandolins, or at least stringed instruments. I think the family might have lived near Markneukirchen in the old East Germany and perhaps the quality of a few decades ago was not to the standard that the pic of the current instrument suggests.

cheers

[Plamen Ivanov]

Dofra stays for Dotzauer Franz. Here is what i wrote about him and his instruments few years ago in another thread:

"As I mentioned most of the German bowlbacks sound very similar and also look that way. Here are two builders that I would like to refer to as different in sound, look, price and time for building. I especially liked very much the mandolins made by Franz Dotzauer – there`s a model with an oval hole instead of the typical round hole. There`s a student model mandolin, which is smaller than an ordinary mandolin, but doesn`t yield to the master model in quality of sound, playability, etc. There was also a new model with straight top like the “American” german bowlback, that was discussed on the Board not long ago. Typical for his mandolins are the small mother-of pearl block inlays on the top of the fretboard at 3. 5. 7. 10. 12. etc. Dotzauer is luthier 5. generation and works with very fine materials. He has a
poor website but speaks English very well, so the communication with him should be easier."

[Jim Sykora]

I have a Dofra mandolin (Portuguese style). I have had it for twenty years.
I was told that it must be well over a 100 yrs. old.
I know nothing about mandolins and was very to bump-into this sight.
If anyone can help me figure out the age and value I would really be happy
Respectfully Jim Sykora

[Jim Sykora]

I send a message in regards to my Dofra mandolin.
I was informed by a gentleman who restores instruments
that he believed the mandolin was well over 100 yrs. old.
He based this on the style- material- and construction.
He thought it was Spanish style--but did not know the maker.
I am going to try and send a picture.
Jim