Re: Bowlback 101
Originally Posted by
Jim Garber
Bowlbacks are still a very small market and (correct me if I am wrong on this) even in Italy and other parts of Europe.
Yes, but that doesn't necessarily reflect demand for bowlbacks: not so long ago you could go into your average store in northern Italy (and I assume this is a typical experience across Europe), and find inexpensive bowlback mandolins, made in Sicily or elsewhere. And also simple, flat-back, canted-top mandolins from the Czech Republic or Romania. But none of those factories has been able to keep up with the prices offered by the big Pac-Rim manufacturers, and those manufacturers are marketing A and F-style mandolins primarily (if not exclusively). So the instruments used in regional and national traditions are being replaced by Gibson-style, arched-top instruments -- not because they're better, but only because of of marketing pressures. In fact, I'd argue that if the Gibson design was really better, all around, it would have replaced other designs during the last era of mandolin popularity, say 1880-1920. Of course, some European manufacturers tried their hand at archtop mandolins, but none seems to have made any significant dent in European preferences for mandolins of their own regional and national traditions.
These days, when I walk into average music stores in Italy, I see only Pac-Rim, A and F style designs. And if you want to buy strings for a bowlback, the stores don't stock them, or have the expertise to steer you away from the heavier strings used on the arched-style instrument. I still see Sicilian bowlbacks sold nationally, in some bookstore chains. but nothing like before. Fortunately, there are new factories in the Pac-Rim (evidently Vietnam) that are making bowlbacks, and those are now readily available on the internet. From what I've seen the quality is not yet there, and in particular there's a problem with instruments being made from not-adequately-cured wood, in a very humid environment, that don't survive once shipped to dryer climates. But I take these attempts as a good sign, and we can hope they will make a quality product, to address the market demand that's been displaced by the big factories putting smaller ones out of business.
Nothing against A and F designs, of course, I still have some of those and love them too. But unlike what was said the Gibson publicity, they don't replace bowlbacks, or even flat-back, canted-top designs. They're just a different instrument, for a different sound.
Last edited by August Watters; Sep-30-2019 at 10:46am.
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