View Full Version : Very strange antique mandolin help ?????
Rich Allen
Sep-01-2012, 4:55pm
Ok, I picked up some type of very old, very strange Mandolin? I have never seen anything like this before. It has some name written inside that I can’t read. C. Lorano ?? in script with another sigmature style name under that? Any Clues???
91090910889108991091
Looks like an old harp-manodlin that has seen better days.
allenhopkins
Sep-01-2012, 6:46pm
Gregg Miner's harpguitars.net website has a page for harp-instruments other than guitars, (http://www.harpguitars.net/history/org/org-related.htm) including both harp-mandolins and "harp-form hollow-arm mandolins," which is what you have, since it has no "harp" strings.
Nothing that looks like yours, and no hits on "Lorano," but "Lozano" does come up with some Spanish luthiers of guitars and bandurrias. Recent, though -- post-1946 -- and your instrument looks significantly older.
Not too much help.
Rich, you may have so your answer with Alllen's response. However while searching my Madriola, I found this image of a Lyre, or Harp Mandolin, somewhat like yours. http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/mandolins.htm
Clicker
Sep-02-2012, 4:07pm
I found a similar one but nothing distinctly enabling a good ID. Calace did some mando-lyre models and even Martin.
http://www.harpguitars.net/knutsen_images/gaskinsmandopatent.gif
http://www.harpguitars.net/knutsen_images/livermoremandopatent.gif
http://www.harpguitars.net/history/org_images/form3/italian,1870-marasco.jpg
Graham McDonald
Sep-02-2012, 5:18pm
[QUOTE=Rich Allen;1084552]Ok, I picked up some type of very old, very strange Mandolin? I have never seen anything like this before. It has some name written inside that I can’t read. C. Lorano ?? in script with another sigmature style name under that? Any Clues???
There were a few (mostly Northern) Italian builders who made similar 'hollow arm' mandolins though I haven't seem one exactly the same as this one. An email to Gregg Miner will probably tell you all you need to know. He has been doing a lot of research in the past few years into the Italian end of the harp-guitar/mandolin world
cheers
graham
I have been wondering where I have seen that open horizontal capstain peg head design, then I realized that a fellow posted here recently with a mandolin he designed and built with that same headstock.
You think I can find that thread?
delsbrother
Sep-02-2012, 10:28pm
I think you'll have better luck searching under "lyre mandolin" or "mandolyra" than "harp mandolin".
Jim Garber
Sep-02-2012, 10:34pm
Gardelli and Mozzani were other makers that made similar instruments. Check out this thread (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?62615-Gardelli-Lyra-Mandolin-on-eBay).
An interesting thread Jim and impressive knowledge on your part.
Rich Allen
Sep-03-2012, 7:18pm
Thanks for sll of the great info! I am going to see if I can get all of the cracks closed up.
billhay4
Sep-04-2012, 4:02pm
Rich,
I'd get the entire instrument evaluated for structural integrity before I spent money on the top. Is the neck set correct? Is the top sinking? Do the tuners work? etc. If you're going to spend any money, might as well get it playable if you can. If it's a wall hanger, I'd leave it like it is myself.
BTW, if there is tension on the strings, take it off.
Bill