Salvador Ibanez mandolin

[tonydxn]

I have just got hold of a mandolin by Salvador Ibanez e Hijos, from around the 1920's I think. It has been very sadly treated. The tailpiece, bridge and tuners are not original.


I want to restore this to playable condition but have not been able to find any pictures online. If anyone has any photos of Ibanez mandolins showing what the original bridge and tailpiece were like I would be very grateful.

[Jim Garber]

This one was dated 1909 and looks like a very different mandolin and era from yours. I don't know of this helps or not. You can't really see the tailpiece ion the better shot because it is obscured by the sleeve protector, but the shot in the case has it removed and it looks like s simple 4 post metal one often used on bowlbacks opf that period. This is the only Salvador Ibanez mandolin I have in my jpeg files.

[tonydxn]

Thanks Jim, that does help. Spanish mandolin makers seem to go in for quite plain bridges, even on a fancy instrument like that one. I'm hoping I may find clues to the size and shape of the original bridge when I get that black paint off. You're right that mine is in a different class - I have to say it isn't very well made at all.

Interesting to note the similarity of the soundhole decoration, though mine is much simpler.

[Jim Garber]

The one from 1909 looks like it was modelled on a bandurria and the neck looks rather wide. Is the back flat on yours?

[tonydxn]

Yes, it's a flatback, with about 4mm dome. Indian rosewood. I read somewhere that Spanish mandolins tend to have wide necks. Mine is 33mm and has a replacement fingerboard taken from another mandolin, which is about 3mm narrower than the neck. I can post some more photos if you like (or if you wanna weep!) Maybe I'll start a thread on the Builders and Repair forum showing the progress of the restoration.