Picked up a Giuseppe Gandolfi bowlback today (someone donated it to the mandolin orchestra). It is in decent shape and it shouldn't take much to make it playable.
One thing that's unusual about it is the soundboard profile. There is a cant, but it's not as pronounced as those on many bowlbacks—and the top is also arched! The bridge has an arch carved into it as well, so it's not as though the top get wet and warped.
Anyone seen something like that before? It's hard to describe; may have to post photos.
Also, has anyone got dates for a Giuseppe Gandolfi in Napoli? Evidently there was a violinmaker by that name in Cremona working from 1920 to 1948, but my working theory is that they're not the same person.
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