"Marcelli" Bowlback

**dderatz** · Jan-27-2016, 6:34pm

Any thoughts on what this is? I read elsewhere the "Marcelli" was not a builder, but tbe hardware maker.

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/fine-old-MAR...3D331749803436

**Martin Jonas** · Jan-27-2016, 6:47pm

It's exactly what the auction says: a German 1920s/1930s bowlback made in Marktneukirchen with a Marcelli tailpiece. You are right that Marcelli was a brand of tailpieces, not the maker of the mandolin. Most of these German trade mandolins are unlabelled, and therefore unless the maker had unusual design features (which this one doesn't), you can't identify them.

$186 seems too much for this, especially as it has clearly been refinished. That's not necessarily bad, as there is no collector's value in these and the original finish is often in very poor condition. However, in this case the refinish job looks rather amateurish.

Martin

**brunello97** · Jan-27-2016, 7:42pm

The action looks scarier than the finish, which--as Martin says-- is muy sketchioso. Bridge looks a little swaybacked as well.

Martin is characteristically modest about vintage German and MNK mandolins. I've played some nice ones, so think they are worth at least keeping on the radar.

At least some of them. Not this one, though.

Mick

**nilu kisengo** · Jun-05-2017, 10:44am

good day y'all!

i am trying to find out more about this mandolin it has "marcelli" written on the tailpiece. i find the headstock quite curious as it appears to be more like one of a lute. i take from this thread, that marcelli was only responsible for the tailpiece. so who build this mandolin and how can i date this instrument?

it would be splendid if someone here could tell me something about this instrument.

greetings,

nilu