Who has a bowl back mandolin
Greetings. My bowl back is a Herwiga made, I believe, in Markneukirchen, eastern Germany. It has a very slight upward bow to the neck so when I first acqired it the action was awkwardly high. However I lowered the bridge to compensate and put very light strings on and now it plays really well.
Me to but I had to move the bridge higher.
I have two bowlbacks. One is a 100 yr old Stridente and the other has no identification. The Stridente is made from rosewood and looks nice but the other plays and sounds better.
Oomati- those are interesting instruments you have posted pictures of-the second one is especially pretty. Can you tell us something about them or post sound clip to see what they sound like?
I use to be in a group of mandolin players and thoughs mandolins arn't mine they were other peoples but one of them was built ages ago.
If anyone waants to send me a picture of there mandolin ill be happy to put it on the page, my email is mati.welsh@hotmail.com
I have quite a few bowlbacks as well as other mandolins. My favorites tho: one made by Gabriele Pandini of Ferrara, italy in 2003 and a teens Vega style three.
I am the very excited and proud owner of a circa 1900 John Brandt Bowlback (style 2, I think). I made arrangements for the seller to ship it directly to my luthier who will perform basic adjustments and set-up. Very glad to be in the Honorary Order of the Bowl!
I have a Martin Style 4 - 1903. Inlaid pickguard, Abalone purfling, BRW staves, Engraved German nickel-silver tuner plate - 1-piece, engraved Cloud tailpiece cover, ebony bridge with (glass?) saddle. Fancy fret inlaid MOP markers. And I just scored a 1919 Martin Style 6A - 40 fluted BRW staves separated by ivory strips, dark hardwood and ivory 5-ply purfling, Abalone rosette, Fingerboard is Ebony bound in Ivory (I feel a song coming on)... And a very old (1900) Vega with fancy fret markers and ivory-bound fretboard. Unfortunately has an unrepaired split in the top (and a few repaired ones) , but still plays... 18 BRW staves.
Eastman Bowl Back - MDB102MS - Serial # 5075
Mine is a Martin 1907 style 5. Recently had the set up done and couldn't be happier with the action or the tone.
I now have a La Bottega del Mandolino (Naples, IT) - Magistrale
I am picking my first up tomorrow. It was made by Lapini of Naples early in the 20th century and restored by luthier David Hynds of Thaims, France in 2011. I will post a photo asap. I would appreciate any information on the maker, restorer, and/or instrument anyone could provide.