Bowlbacks---are they from a bygone era?

[MLT]

Hi All,

I seem to have been bitten by the Bowlback bug. #Are these style of mandolin simply from a bygone era? #

I have never actually played one, but I think that I would like to add one to my (limited) collection. #I am hoping that you all could lead me in the right direction as to what should I be aware of? #What are my limitations to music play? Are there other limitations? Am I just being a hopeless romantic delving back into my Italian Heritage?

Thanks, http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[mrmando]

People still make and play bowlbacks. If you go to Germany, Italy, or Japan, the bowlback is the "normal" mandolin and all the other styles are the weird ones.

[Tim2723]

A bowlback is a fundamental addition to the mandolinist's arsenal, and indeed many players focus on them entirely. I'm not anthing even resembling an expert on the subject, but I dearly love my simple, no-name taterbug.

And yes, you're probably a hopeless romantic.:D

[Jim Garber]

Come on over to the classical section. Tho not exclusively, we speak exceedingly often about these bowlbacks. The names Calace, Embergher and Vinaccia are as common on those threads as Loar, Gilchrist etc are on the general threads.

Check out the following threads:

Bowlbacks of Note (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=6;t=14886) (long running one about bowlback mandoilins on ebay and elsewhere)

Post a Picture of Your Bowlback (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=14185)

There are links to contemporary makers on the Eye Candy page (http://www.mandolincafe.com/archives/builders/bowlback.html).

First of all where are you located? It makes a big difference on what ius available and at what price.

For instance, American vintage bowlbacks from the early part of the last century are pretty plentiful in the US and generally inexpensive, however many for sale need at least a little work to make playable and many are not worth putting hundreds of dollars into.

Italian-made vintage ones are less available in the US but more plentiful in Europe and the UK. Once again you have to know what you are getting into.

What else do you need to know? Send on the questions. There are quite a few of us bowlheads who are pretty knowledgeable and if we don't know it we can find out from others who do.

Jim

[Martin Jonas]

What Jim said. Also, in order to get an idea of tone and style, you may want to check out Ralf Leenen's free music page, with lots of wonderful recordings of his (and his ensemble's) playing on Embergher bowlbacks as MP3 and a few videos:

Link (http://www.mandolin.be/mp3/)

Martin

[MLT]

Thank you all. I think I will be checking in from time to time in the classical section. I did just peruse the pictures thread and I see that many of you have "classic" mando's. I am actually considering having a "new" one built by a luthier. Not that I am a good player, but I have always been told that you play to the potential of your instrument.

[Jim Garber]

If you are looking for a new one there are a few possibilities. A lot of it depends on what you want to spend. If you are in North America there are very few makers of bowlbacks.

Daniel Larson (http://www.daniellarson.com/mandolins/mandolin.htm) has probably built more bowlbacks than any luthier in North America.

Peter Sawchyn (http://www.sawchyn.com/) and Brian Dean (http://www.bfolk.com/), both in Canada, have built a few.

If you are in Europe or willing to order one there, there are quite a few choices. Calace still builds and even their lower end instruments are quite nice and reasonably priced. I play a mandolin built by Gabriele Pandini (http://www.gabrielepandini.it/) of Ferrara, Italy. There are other excellent makers in Italy and Germany if you want to check them out. It all depends on what you want to spend and what kind of instrument you are looking for.

Bear in mind, tho, that with most of the above (maybe except lower end Calaces) you are talking upwards of 2-3000 euros.

Jim

[MLT]

Sorry I did mean to tell you that I am in North America...Washington State to be exact. I have had a small conversation with Brian Dean...It is his bowlback that has brought on this recent interest again.

[Jim Garber]

I would highly suggest that you play a few bowlbacks before diving into a higher priced one. For one thing you will have to get used to holding the instrument differently. I asked David Grisman how he liked his Pandini before I bought mine. He said that it sounded sweet but he could not figure out how to hold it. It is actually just something to get used to.

In general even contemporary bowlbacks usually have shorter scales than std. carved instruments, primarily because they are most often played for classical repertoire. Of course, if Brian is building you a custom one, you can have any scale you prefer.

Whatever you do, be aware that bowlbacks are not at all like your std carved American style (Gibsonoid) mandolin. OTOH I am not trying to talk you out of it -- I have a closetful myself.

Here is an old photo... am I insane or what? I still have most of these and prob a few more.

Jim

[Tim2723]

When I read the title again I though you asked if bowlbacks were from a Bayonne era. Sorry, I'm from Joisey.

[jasona]

jgarber, you are a sick, sick man http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Eugene]

...And welcome to the club, MLT.

[Keith Erickson]

Michael,

I'm not hard core into bowlbacks but I do enjoy a Suzuki that I picked up for around US$250 bucks.

It's my travel/ hiking mando and it's lot's of fun to have around.

[Jim Garber]

jgarber, you are a sick, sick man http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Thanks for the compliment!

Jim

[allenhopkins]

Here is an old photo... am I insane or what? I still have most of these and prob a few more.

Jim
Jim -- couple questions:
[1] What make is the mandola, and does it have an alternate-maple-and-rosewood pattern for the back ribs?
[2] Is the f-hole bowl-back a Waldo?

[JeffD]

Limitations? Well they don't chop. And sometimes their volume is low.

Not chopping is not a big deal unless you play bluegrass, and you would not take a bowlback to a BG jam anyway, as a bowlback at a bluegrass jam is looked upon like a potato in the punch bowl.


The primary advantage of the bowlback is it is so darned fun to play.

[Keith Erickson]

Jim,

I've seen the f-holes on bowlbacks before. I've always wanted to ask...

....what makes them different from the round sound holes?

Thanks,