What on Earth is this thing?

[jimmy powells]

Looks Russian perhaps. Not a good idea to buy that. This sort of things usually has lots of problems and even if it is ever set up anf strung properly, what would you do with it, apart from look at it and talk. 12 String mandolins are a nightmare.

I'd stay away from it for lots of reasons, mainly financial.

[tonydxn]

A sound sample of the German mandolin is now available here https://youtu.be/rC_k2SlNlfs

[tonydxn]

So here are the two mandolins side by side:

Although the Garozzo is quite a bit smaller, it's about one third heavier than the German one. I don't know what woods it is made of (more on that later) but the sides have been carved out of solid blocks of wood. I don't know how thick they are.

Here is a photo of the bridge beside a more familiar type:

Interesting nut funky sparkly gold fret markers central fandangalum

tailpiece cover/sleeve guard looks as if it was made from one of those things women use to tie their hair back. I'm pretty sure this is original, as are the large-headed upholstery type nails which seem to be a feature of Royal Mark mandolins. You can see them in one of the photos Jim Garber posted, and others on the internet. There are some in the back too.

The tailpiece is only nailed on!

This marquetry inlay of a pot full of flowers was put in upside down Nice to know I'm not the only one who does that kind of stuff.

When I first saw the photo of this mandolin I was mystified by the odd shape of the bridge hole.
When I got it I realized it consists of six faces, seen in profile
The faces on the long edges of the hole have curly beards on their chins

The soundhole in the internal soundboard is a weird shape, something like this

To be continued . . .

[tonydxn]

Front and back view (with nails)

Here is a photo of the neck of the German mandolin. I do not know what kind of wood this is. It has an interesting kind of figuring which shows up clearly in this photo. It's a bit like the figuring you get on oak (this isn't oak of course). It was often used by German makers for the necks of their mandolins. The funny thing is, the neck and the sides of the Garozzo mandolin are made of the same wood, though I have never before seen it on an Italian mandolin. It makes me wonder if Royal Mark mandolins were actually made in Germany and Garozzo just stamped his name on them. I wonder if the wood is some kind of birch. If anyone knows, please let me know.

Although the German mandolin has an unusual sound, the Garozzo does not have any special characteristics. It has been played a lot though. Someone had a lot of fun with it.

[tonydxn]

After playing the Royal Mark for a few days (and fiddling with the bridge position) I like it better than I did at first. It has a lot of sustain, and although not as loud as the German one, it sounds sweeter.

Sound sample here https://youtu.be/dz5XNpRgw_M

[MandoNina]

Two interesting looking and to me beautiful instruments for sure. And with a very nice sound to them as well. Congratulations!

So how much did they end up costing you? Especially the Royal Mark one at the auction. I was close to picking up one of those my self last year. I never did, and even though yours is in much better condition, I've always regretted not getting it.

[tonydxn]

The German one came to about £180 including shipping from Holland and needed a refret. The Royal Mark was a bit over £200 (GBP) but hardly needed any work apart from a good clean and replacing about half an inch of the decorative edging which was missing. It's built like a tank - just about bomb-proof. I didn't have to pay for any of the work as I do it all myself.

Further to my comment about the wood used (post #29) I'm fairly sure it's European hornbeam, Carpinus betulus - a very hard wood also used for flooring. Used extensively by German makers, not normally used by Italian makers at all.

[MandoNina]

Then I'd call it a bargain. Haha yeah it definitely looks sturdy

Enjoy the picking!

[poul hansen]

Here's a wakeup for this thread. I just bought a C.Garozzo mandriola. I'm looking forward to receiving it in a weeks time.

[NickR]

Yes, that's weird all right. This mandolin by Ewald Glaesel does not get as far out as your mandriola and stays on planet earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=UUT8uhrzhEs

[poul hansen]

Here it is, my C.Garozzo mandriola. In very good nick but the action is very high and a fret is too high and someone scratched some numbers in the head on the back.

I saw another with an endpiece cover looking like a hairbuckle, so I got one of those, I just need to fasten it correctly.

It's tuned rather strangely 4 halfs below normal i.e. the lower strings are Eb3

[JeffD]

Those who know me know I find some of the most ridiculous mandolins to be charming, if not cool.

Not the case with the red Royal Mark.

I love the color, and don't mind the overall shape.

I don't mind the mandriola. I have a mandriola bowlback that is kind of fun. Mine is a bit of a challenge to finger cleanly, but is a spooky great loud sound and lots of fun.

I don't mind the double top aspect. My favorite mandolin in the world, the Kerman, makes this particular innovation famous.

I agree with many here that I just don't understand the advantage of setting the bridge on the inner sound board. Ahh but there are lots of things I don't understand.

What really has me wrapped around the axle is the shape of hole through the top which the bridge pokes. There is no acoustic reason for it. It is not pretty or pleasing. It is symmetrical, which is the only hint that it is deliberate, not just a random hole bashed in by the round end of a ball peen hammer. Someone meant that shape. Why could it not have been a clean edged oval or something, except to deliberately irritate us? Well the artist succeeded in doing that. It irritates me.

I don't mind complications that are functional and/or beautiful. I can't say this shape is either.

[poul hansen]

..............
What really has me wrapped around the axle is the shape of hole through the top which the bridge pokes. There is no acoustic reason for it. It is not pretty or pleasing. It is symmetrical, which is the only hint that it is deliberate, not just a random hole bashed in by the round end of a ball peen hammer. Someone meant that shape. Why could it not have been a clean edged oval or something, except to deliberately irritate us? Well the artist succeeded in doing that. It irritates me.

I don't mind complications that are functional and/or beautiful. I can't say this shape is either.

There was a thread where you could see contours af heads poking ouit. I've tried but can't see anything in this but that doesn't bother me at all.