c.1905 Ditson "Empire" Bowlback (Vega/Fairbanks build?)

[Jake Wildwood]

Pretty much identical in build to many Mayflower and Vega instruments is this guy...! I'm happy with how it turned out and it definitely has that wide-palette Vega sound to it with a slightly huskier/darker tonality vs. most US bowls. I figured the bowlback folks might like to get a viewing!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cpxTghCpxGk/UR6j4T7YkeI/AAAAAAAAhzs/ecYe0xBCVLA/s1600/ditson-1.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t7-Kum4fii8/UR6j4_YZV4I/AAAAAAAAhzw/FxaawGq9gVg/s1600/ditson-2.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cd5v2o_an-Q/UR6j4xRlCEI/AAAAAAAAhz0/I0Q_eN7pzwQ/s1600/ditson-3.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c3ZrpDq1y9o/UR6j7jwO8TI/AAAAAAAAh0c/0ParxMU3Ozc/s1600/ditson-8.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_HjsH_GkSY/UR6kCRkf-LI/AAAAAAAAh1A/-fqyepX1JXM/s1600/ditson-11.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJqo2tiGP6E/UR6kC-wXg_I/AAAAAAAAh1E/4rwArFaPqlM/s1600/ditson-13.jpg

Full blog post available, too (click here!) (http://antebelluminstruments.blogspot.com/2013/02/c1905-ditson-empire-bowlback-mandolin.html)

[brunello97]

Nice work, Jake. I've got one of these in nearly pristine shape. But for the slightly 'Louisville Slugger' profile neck it a very enjoyable play. I prefer the sound quality to the GreatLakesRim bowls I have played (but I have never played an upper-end L+H bowl....)

I've guessed my Empire was Vega made from time to time as well. Mine has a SN in the same location on the upper brace as do my Leland and Ditson-labeled-Leland flatbacks. (Which adds to the mystery to me.)

Mick

BTW are you going to saddle up that bridge?

[Jake Wildwood]

Mick: If someone requests it, but it sounds so good with the straight ebony that I just left it. :)

[Tavy]

Mick: If someone requests it, but it sounds so good with the straight ebony that I just left it. :)

That's often the case: the bone saddle may prevent wear (especially on the e strings), but I'm not convinced it alters the sound that much. Certainly a straight ebony bridge sounds mighty good usually. Plus the bridges on these old bowls often have to be cut so low that there's no room for a saddle anyway.

If that one sounds anything like it's Vega contemporaries it'll be sweet! Great work Jake.

[brunello97]

Here is one of those very similar Mayflower bowls on the ebay:

Mayflower bowlback (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1905-MAYFLOWER-Bowl-Back-Mandolin-Ex-Cond-/321074494916?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac187fdc4)

with the classic Vega style bridge--and scalloped head/neck detail. A rather ambitious pricing strategy given the split top.

On the Vegas and Ditsons I have had, John, the neck angle seems set a bit more sharply than on the various Neapolitans that have crossed my path. No issues with having a generous bridge depth. I kind of doubt that the bridge on mine is actually ebony, though, but something stained. I'd like to hear it with a proper ebony bridge.

Mick

[Jim Garber]

I also have figured that there was some Vega connection esp since these were sold in the same town as Vega and have the tailpiece side of the cant bridge position. I would also set up with that bone insert for reasons mentioned above.

[F-2 Dave]

Nice, Jake. Beautiful wood and simple elegance that almost makes me want to make a trip into bowl back land.

[Tavy]

On the Vegas and Ditsons I have had, John, the neck angle seems set a bit more sharply than on the various Neapolitans that have crossed my path. No issues with having a generous bridge depth. I kind of doubt that the bridge on mine is actually ebony, though, but something stained. I'd like to hear it with a proper ebony bridge.

Well worth the modification IMO: and if you can get hold of some 4mm ebony (I use fretboard offcuts) it's more or less trivial to knock out a new bridge for these. As with all things mando, a proper fitting bridge from decent material makes a huge difference.

[brunello97]

Well worth the modification IMO: and if you can get hold of some 4mm ebony (I use fretboard offcuts) it's more or less trivial to knock out a new bridge for these. As with all things mando, a proper fitting bridge from decent material makes a huge difference.

Right said. I keep some ebony around to make replacement bridges from time to time (and to tweak the compensation a bit.) Mine tend to be rather basic affairs without the elegant profiles of these classic bowlback bridges. The Empire is a pretty sweet mandolin as it stands with the classic Vega style bridge. (I dig their tapered bone saddle and slot--after having fiddled around with a lot of flimsy thin wisps of bone on old Italian bowls.) It does appear that there is a bit of 'color fade' at the top of the bridge where might make contact with hands, case lids, etc. Maybe with the next string change I should make one up to comp with the original.

Mick

BTW a couple old ads for Ditson Empire mandolins have been circulating for sale on the ebay the last year or more. Apparently a few models of Empires available (no doubt reflecting the geo-political climate of the times as well ;))