12 String (Mandolin?)

[123fredsmando]

Hello All,

I was in Austin, TX a few months ago at a store called Uncommon Objects. I bought what was marketed as a "twelve string Italian mandolin."

I took it to Mandolin Brothers in Staten Island where they restrung it, and then stopped by Music Inn at the West Village.

In conversation at all of these places, based on the case-which I believe to be original- and the craftsmanship, I gather this is from the 1920's, most likely Spain or Portugal. Would anyone on the forum be able to tell me more about what I've got here?

Thanks,
Fred in Jersey City.

[Jim Garber]

It is hard to tell from the photos what the scale length or the overall size of this is. It could be some variant on the laud (the sort of mandola of the bandurria family), but those usually have fixed bridges, tho that bridge does not look original. Three were/are also 12 string mandolins but those would have been three strings per four courses. Of course, someone might have put a new nut and bridge on this one. What tuning was Mandolin brothers assuming.

[123fredsmando]

Dear Jim,

They used a guitar tuning. I also thought it might be a laud based on my reading. I kind of stray away from thinking it was a 12-string mandolin, given that the tailpiece and pin look to be original and have 6 places to tether the strings.

In terms of size, it's about 2-2.5 feet long.

Thanks for your input!

[Jim Garber]

It could also be something like Filipino bandurria which does have a floating bridge. Check out discussion on this thread about an instrument I own.

[Jake Wildwood]

If the scale length is around 17-18" it's probably a variant on the typical period Portuguese guitar.

[vic-victor]

12 string guitar made in the mandolin shape for mandolin orchestra

[123fredsmando]

Thanks for the info! Any clue as to who the manufacturer/ maker of it might be? I thought the butterfly design (tortoise shell), with mother of pearl inlay was pretty unique.

[Jim Garber]

Butterflies are quite common for pickguard shapes tho that particular one may be unique to the maker. It looks like there used to be a label on the back.