Advice Needed-Francesco Perretti & Figli Mandolin

[bobskiebudgie]

Hi everyone I recently bought this interesting mandolin in need of slight restoration. It is interesting because it is sort of a semi-bowlback. I need some advice on the repairs I need to make to it as I am no expert. Also if someone could give me an estimate on its date of manufacture that would be great.

First some pictures of it






The first issue is that it is missing the inlay



I do not have the skills to replace this correctly so I was thinking about following this youtube video for an easy inlay, I know there may be some horror here but I think its the best I can do and I dont have the money to get it done professionaly. If anyone has any other ideas though I welcome your thoughts!



Here is a picture of one complete with inlay, I will just keep it completely white as like I said before I am no skilled craftsman.



The next problem is a part of the bridge (I think it is called the saddle) is broken under the G string, I presume this is bone? I don't know how to replace this either I would like to avoid needing to buy a new bridge if at all possible because then i would need to take it to a luthier I think.


Bad pictures taken on my action camera which has no autofocus so not good for close ups but I think they give a general idea. Also the curve is caused by the wide angle lense its not really like that






Hopefully somebody can help me fix up this beautiful old mandolin ready for playing! Thanks.

[Jim Garber]

In Europe they call these Portuguese-style mandolins tho most are made in Germany or France. Yours looks like it is in pretty good shape except for those inlays.

[bobskiebudgie]

In Europe they call these Portuguese-style mandolins tho most are made in Germany or France. Yours looks like it is in pretty good shape except for those inlays.

Didn't know that thanks for the information. This one is Italian and it is in surprisingly good condition except the problems previously stated, I guessed it was from 1910's-20's but I don't have any solid foundation for that estimate it's a complete guess

[JH Murray]

There's an ebay seller called bezdez who sells flat bridges like what you need. Very affordable and good service.

[allenhopkins]

Lots of Google hits on "Francisco Peretti & Figli" instruments, mandolins and guitars. Most descriptions say "early 20th century" without giving any attribution for the estimate.

Unusual to see an Italian-made "dome-back" (?). The design, slotted headstock, alternate maple/mahogany ribs, and marquetry pickguard are all more characteristic of German manufacture than Italian.

Could be the company imported some mandolins, and labeled them to be sold through their store.

[bobskiebudgie]

Great price! Would I just put these on In the same position as the old one or would I need to get it refitted though?

[JH Murray]

The bridge is easily fitted. The distance from the nut to the 12th fret is half the distance from the nut to the bridge. You can check to see if you have it in the right spot when the open strings are tuned up by checking to see if it is also in tune at the 12th fret.

[Wes Brandt]

keep that bridge!…it will be easy to fix by any competent luthier… but have the rest of the action checked …if want to change it any, you'll want the nut set right for that...of course you want the nut height right anyway.

[bobskiebudgie]

How would I check all this like I said before I am a novice at mandolin repair don't really know the terms and what they mean. I have messaged a luthier to ask for an approximate price but I am always willing to go for the cheapest solution :D

[bobskiebudgie]

Also this mandolin has a zero fret I wonder if this would make bridge placement more complex?

[pops1]

Also this mandolin has a zero fret I wonder if this would make bridge placement more complex?

No, doesn't change a thing.

[bobskiebudgie]

I am sending the bridge away for repair so just the inlay to worry about now, I have ordered the materials for this.

[Wes Brandt]

If you do a search on setup you will find lots of threads and theres an E book that is often referred to Mandolin Set-up E-Book by Rob Meldrum"…

[allenhopkins]

Also this mandolin has a zero fret...

I was gonna ask about that, couldn't tell from the pix in Post #1.

Another indication of likely German/E. European manufacture.

[bobskiebudgie]

Interesting that it probably wasn't made in Italy, these little things that nobody will remember happened. I have been reading up on setting up the mandolin so whn I get the bridge back I will give it a go. Thanks for all the help so far keep it coming!

[Tavy]

I was gonna ask about that, couldn't tell from the pix in Post #1.

Another indication of likely German/E. European manufacture.

There are plenty of Italian bowl backs with zero frets.

That said, the back construction on this one is a standard German method that I've never seen from an Italian maker before. Certainly looks like Perretti may have become an importer rather than a maker at some point.

[George Roberts]

Before filling the inlay in with white material, I would check with David Nichols at Custom Pearl Inlay:
http://www.custompearlinlay.com/index.htm
He did a beautiful job duplicating some inlay on an early Gibson for me. If you took a rubbing of the empty recesses, and sent him the picture of the originals, I'm sure he could help you out.

[bobskiebudgie]

Before filling the inlay in with white material, I would check with David Nichols at Custom Pearl Inlay:
http://www.custompearlinlay.com/index.htm
He did a beautiful job duplicating some inlay on an early Gibson for me. If you took a rubbing of the empty recesses, and sent him the picture of the originals, I'm sure he could help you out.

I have already bought the materials so will give it a go, if it doesn't look good this stuff is easy to remove and I will maybe get in touch with this person.

[Wes Brandt]

If you don't already know this, you can carefully tape (careful not to pull off the finish, drafting tape is best) some thin paper over the inlay area and rub some soft pencil/graphite on your finger then rub your finger around the perimeter of the recess… that will give you an exact pattern which you then temporarily glue to your inlay material while you shape it.

[Brian George]

Hi, I know this is an old thread but I thought you might like to take a look at my recent refurbishment of an identical mandolin.
www.mandolinmann.com
facebook: mandolin builder brian george