Any ideas on this old Bowl Back?

[bigbarlo]

Hi
I am new to the forum. My uncle gave me this old mandolin and I was looking for some information. Thanks in advance

[vic-victor]

Hi. It is not a bowlback. It is a flatback mandolin, even though the back is not completely flat Most likely made in Reghin town, Romania during communist period by the factory now known as "Hora". Hora was establsihed in 1951, so your mando is probably later than that. Cheers.

[8ch(pl)]

It is a Staved back , sometimes called a "bulgback". they were called Portuguese style mandolins in Europe, though not necessarily in Portugal, but in Germany. I have not played one, but it is probably a nice instrument.

[JonZ]

It has potential as a PBS series, but you are probably looking at a pretty small audience base.

[billkilpatrick]

waaay back, i bought one just like it off of ebay.germany - my first mandolin, in fact - not a great tone but it taught me something. even wrote a poem about it:


nameless old german
bought for nothing on ebay
patiently teaching

[Ray(T)]

As others have said, made in Romania - they were very common in the UK back in the 70s. Never went so far as buying one - the sound was nothing to shout about but it may be OK as a starter instrument if you can get it in tune.

Looks to me as though the top has been stained which will have done nothing to affect its value.

[allenhopkins]

Here's a very similar Romanian instrument (note the nearly-identical pickguard shapes) being sold new for £71 ($114). The "stave" back and slotted headstock are quite characteristic of mandolins produced in Germany and eastern Europe.

[Martin Jonas]

These Hora mandolins aren't bad as student models for classical/Italian playing, e.g. in mandolin orchestras. They are easy to get new (at least in the UK), cheap, all-solid-wood, 13" scale length, when bought new they don't have the potential structural and setup issues of a vintage bowlback off Ebay and their tone is more congenial to these genres than a Chinese archtop mandolin in the same price range.

Not particularly subtle instruments, and the stock setup usually needs at least a slight lowering of the bridge and/or the zero fret. Our latest learner ensemble member bought a Hora with a decentish shop setup at Hobgoblin in Manchester for around 90 Pounds, which I think is a good way to dip your toe in mandolin playing.

Martin

[bigbarlo]

Thanks for all the information. I am going to take some lessons