Re: A Napoli mandolin in Australia - but who made it?
This old thread discusses another bowl-back, found in Australia, and marked "Frenschini Napoli." Heck, it might be the same instrument -- who knows?
The Mandolin Luthier alphabetic list of Italian Neapolitan Mandolin Makers. which seems pretty comprehensive, doesn't list a Freschini, although that is the name of a fairly well-known Italian composer. So it could well have been a trade name applied to some instruments imported from Europe, whether Italian or from another source. If you post a pic of the entire instrument, the bowl-back experts among us may be able to discern more clues to its origin.
From first cursory look, you may well have what's termed a "wall hanger," rather than a playable mandolin. Your luthier friend will be able to tell more from hands-on inspection. Doesn't appear you have a diamond in the rough, although the "rough" part seems apropos.
Allen Hopkins
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