Hand me down mandolin - looking for info

[A5hyyy]

Hi,

I have been handed down a mandolin and ive searched online and cant find any others or any info on this. I was wondering if anyone could help? And also what this guy is worth? Any info is appreciated thanks

[Bob A]

Appears to be Sicilian in origin, though the zero fret and headstock are reminiscent of German and northern Italian instruments. Cute bridge. Pics of back would be helpful to some degree.

You're not going to retire off the proceeds of a sale. If when strung up (with extra-light strings please) the action is good (~2mm over 12th fret) it would be salable, fro a couple hundred maybe. Alternatively, you could consider learning to play it.

[allenhopkins]

This one confused me. If there were no label, I'd say German/mid-European for (nearly) sure, with the slotted headstock, zero fret, marquetry pickguard.

German-made and exported to Sicily to be sold there? Ain't that sending "coals to Newcastle" -- why would a German mandolin sell in Italy? Not like they had a shortage of domestic product.

Still confused. As to market value, probably not too much; those mid-century flat-backs, whether German or (maybe?) Sicilian, are pretty common.

[mrmando]

Catania luthiers didn't draw the line at making mandolins after the Neapolitan and Roman models; they copied the German model as well.

[brunello97]

Catania luthiers didn't draw the line at making mandolins after the Neapolitan and Roman models; they copied the German model as well.

That relationship cut both ways. Lots of Catanese mandolins marketed north of the Alps as well.

Not sure if there was any line that those guys adhered to when copying or inventing.

Mick