Another Martucci

[Martucci]

Following my earlier post regarding my Great Grandfathers mandolin another Martucci Mandolin showed up in the Cafe Classifieds ... I was able to negotiate a fair price with the seller and have since handed it over to my luthier for renovation.

A couple of questions with regards to the nut and tailpiece. It appears that there is a rather wide flat spot above the nut, a 1/2" or so - would the nut have been that wide? Or perhaps some sort of 2-piece nut? Also, any idea as to what type of tailpiece cover would belong to the exiting tailpiece?

Thanks, Fred

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[brunello97]

Nice score, Fred. That looks like a nice once-and future-mandolin. I like these THICK inlays around the tops. Very Italian. Who are you getting to do the restoration work for you?

Do you know if your GGF used zero frets on some of his mandolins? That might take up a bit more space but not necessarily as much as what appears on this one. What is all that glue and crud in photo 6? Were there some repairs in that area? I love multi-staved maple bowls, and this one is a beauty. Please keep us posted as the repairs/restorations mover forward.

Mick

[Martucci]

Mick,

Thanks for the kind words. It will need quite a bit of restoration including cleaning up the "crud" left over from a very poor headstock repair. The work will be done by my friend Eric Johansen here in So Cal - he has a great appreciation for these old instruments and his work makes every attempt to respect the design and craftsmanship of the original builder.

I too like the maple bowl and thankfully that is the most well preserved part of the mandolin - no cracks or seperations. I'll keep you posted as work progresses but it will probably be a fairly long process ... 6 months or so.

With regards to a zero fret. I can't be sure but so far there is no indication that my GGF used this configuration, so I thought that perhaps the nut was somehow braced using a wedge.
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Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks Fred

[Jim Garber]

With regards to a zero fret. I can't be sure but so far there is no indication that my GGF used this configuration, so I thought that perhaps the nut was somehow braced using a wedge.

That is what I thought. On another thread (I can't locate it now) Paul Hostetter posted a nice photo of a zero fret with a wedge but there is no reason to believe that wedges weren't used with standard nuts.

[billhay4]

Here (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?83902-Zero-Fret&p=1036462#post1036462) 'tis.
Bill

[Jim Garber]

For convenience sake...

[froylance]

Mr. Martucci,
Came across this forum and your discussions about your great grandfather's mandolins. As it happens, I inherited one from my mother, who received it from her uncle, Edmundo DeAngelis, who immigrated to Philadelphia in the late 19th century. It is in very good condition, although it is missing some strings and some of the inlay segments around the edge of the bowl.

The label reads: "S. MARTUCCI. Importer and Manufacturer of Italian Mandolins, Mandolas and Guitars, 739 (753 is crossed out in ink) So. Eighth Street, Philadelphia, Pa."

I will attempt to attach some images. If you are interested, I can be contacted at froylance@verizon.net

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[Jim Garber]

froylance: that is a nice one. Upper crust in the line with engraved inlays and fluted back. lots of work went into that. Very cool.

[Martucci]

Hoping froylance will reply, would love to learn more about his beautiful mandolin and if possible he could post some additional pics including a pic of the complete headstock and one of the label.

The changed address is interesting because it may indicate the true birth place of my Grandmother who recalled being born at 8th and Baindbridge, so I assumed that the 753 So. 8th Street was correct. But, my GGF returned to Italy in 1901 with his pregnant and ill wife leaving his three sons in New York. He returned in 1903 with his new born daughter after his wife sadly passed away and reunited his family in New York. He quickly remarried and returned to Philadelphia, perhaps to a new home on 8th Street which would be the reason for the "hand changed" address.

Sorry for the non mando content but am really interested in hearing from froylance.

Thanks, Fred

[ColdBeerGoCubs]

Just thought I'd toss these in here. Hope you're still around Martucci.

This mandolin was just given to me recently by a 75 year old nun. A wonderful woman whom I just met. She actually left this on my girlfriends front step with a note stating that it had to go to me. Honored I truly am. Tried to give it back and she wouldn't take it.

It was her grandfathers. He came to the US with two other brothers (from Sicily) just before the turn of the century. He resided in PA briefly. She had it restored not to long ago. Tuners are similar to my 24 A Jr. Kind of looks like it used to have a truss rod cover or some sort of decoration in that area too. Beautiful sound, not a quiet one either.

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[ColdBeerGoCubs]

Actually, this is kind of weird- the more that I look at this thing, the more it looks like my grandfathers old mandolin in certain ways. A Casella.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?87454-New-member-with-an-old-mandolin&p=1104630&viewfull=1#post1104630

[Jim Garber]

Actually first look the pickguard resembles those on Weymann mandolins. I think you said your GGF was in Philadelphia and may have had some doings with Weymann, so that would make a lot of sense.

[Martucci]

Thanks for the post. Always nice to see another Martucci mandolin (wish someone would find a guitar or mandola!). What a wonderful story to go along with it, glad its found a good home.

From what I can see of the label it appears to be oval shaped which would indicate an early build, probably around 1895. He eventually opened a shop on 8th street in Philly around 1896 and remained there until 1904 after which he went to work for Weymann.

Congratulations,
Fred

[Martucci]

Actually first look the pickguard resembles those on Weymann mandolins. I think you said your GGF was in Philadelphia and may have had some doings with Weymann, so that would make a lot of sense.

Jim,

The pickguard also resembles some that I have seen on Bauer mandolins. In fact, I have seen pictures of a Bauer with the identical pickguard and identical inlayed butterfly as Martucci #1; and a Bauer with the exact pickguard and inlay as Martucci #2. Who knows, perhaps my GGF had some doings with Bauer before Weymann?