Observations about a Calace on Reverb please?

[Tim Logan]

I would like to hear any and all observations people might have on this Calace. Thank you in advance.

https://reverb.com/item/33436991-192...lhP-s_e1UVU_8Q

[mrmando]

Looks nice and seems like an attractive price.

[brunello97]

Jump. On. It.

Mick

[Tim Logan]

If anyone can tell me more about the unusual sound hole shape, I would me most appreciative. Thank you.

[Bob A]

If anyone can tell me more about the unusual sound hole shape, I would me most appreciative. Thank you.

Far as I'm aware, it's just an Art Deco enhancement. I have seen them on mandolins by other makers as well. IIRC, the Calace instruments I've seen this on also don't have the typical "skirt" that surrounds the bowl; I believe this to be a more difficult build, and it seems to appear on higher-end models.

But don't hold me to it; merely speculative maunderings and vague recollections.

[Tim Logan]

Far as I'm aware, it's just an Art Deco enhancement. I have seen them on mandolins by other makers as well. IIRC, the Calace instruments I've seen this on also don't have the typical "skirt" that surrounds the bowl; I believe this to be a more difficult build, and it seems to appear on higher-end models.

But don't hold me to it; merely speculative maunderings and vague recollections.

Thank you Bob. Are you speculating that it’s an enhancement by the maker or an after-market fad? Thanks again.

[Jim Garber]

Seller is MCer who has a large collection. He used to post videos of all his instruments here. He owns the weirdo Gelas ones and I think a set of Bohmanns as well.

[Jim Garber]

Actually the seller, Matthew Woods, also has it listed in the classifieds.

[Bob A]

Thank you Bob. Are you speculating that it’s an enhancement by the maker or an after-market fad? Thanks again.

I'm speculating as to the differing features being indicative of a higher quality, or at least a higher-priced, build. I'm unaware of "after-market fads" for bowlbacks. The design elements may indeed be faddish; I'm not inclined to speculate about that, either.

Regarding quality vs price/features; I've noticed that in general the quality of a "real" Italian bowlback mandolin - as opposed to tourist souvenir items - is uniformly high, at least for makers who valued their reputations. Certainly they added refinements and ornamentation to drive a price point, as well as to reflect the ego and pocketbook of the buyer, but lower-end instruments were built for players. No one wanted to lose the players' market by cranking out poor quality instruments.

[Eugene]

Agreed with all above. Seems a good price for its era of production if functional.

"D" holes are weird, but not necessarily rare. They were standard to de Cristofaro mandolins, e.g., even base models.

[Tim Logan]

Thank you to those who chimed in. Is it possible this is a 900 Brevettato model? They had 27 staves and this had 25. But it does have other attributes of the 900 Brevettato. I wonder if all 900 Brevettato models were identical or had individual variation (?).

[Bruce Clausen]

"D" holes are weird, but not necessarily rare. They were standard to de Cristofaro mandolins, e.g., even base models.

Agreed. Here's a nicer one on a Watanabe I used to own.

[Jim Garber]

For some reason it reminds of this:

[brunello97]

Agreed with all above. Seems a good price for its era of production if functional.

"D" holes are weird, but not necessarily rare. They were standard to de Cristofaro mandolins, e.g., even base models.

Bro Eug...I have a Cristofaro mandolin which has superb bass projection. It got me wondering whether the D sound hole also had an underlying effort to modulate the instrument's sound.

When I was at UTSOA we had a building structures prof who was all jazzed about Art Nouveau architecture. He went through all kinds of pains to show how the wrought iron curvatures of Hector Guimard, et al were also pretty accurate translations of the moment diagrams of the structures. We rolled with it. Our final exam was to do an analysis of one Guimard's metro stations... and redesign an column footing.

That is a fine looking Calace, imho. Deeliteful.

Mick

[Jim Garber]

The modern equivalent of this model is, as close as I can tell, is their style 15. You can see all the available current styles here. You can buy a new one from the shop for 1280€. Not that that would compare to a vintage one. The 16bis is similar, slightly fancier and has fluted bowl.

Here is the mandolin prices and descriptions from the most recent price list:

LISTINO PREZZI
(Price - List)
--------------
ANNO 2020

---------- MANDOLINS ---------
type n.
" " 24 Euro 800,00
" " 26 " 850,00
" " 13 " 1.200,00
" " 15 " 1.280,00
" " 16 Bis " 1.900,00
" " Ripa " 2.150,00
" Classico D " 2.150,00
" Classico C " 1.800,00
" Classico B " 1.300,00
" Classico A " 2.850,00
" Annamaria " 2.950,00
Hard-case x mandolin 140,00
Semi-hard case x m. 60,00
the following models are missing in the illustrated catalogue:

- type Classico D has the some channelled round bottom of Classico A;
head without engraved head. Ebony concert fingerboard with 29
freets under E.
- type Classico C has round bottom with 31 palisander channelled
ribs; concert ebony fingerboard with 29 frets under E.
- type Classico B has round bottom with 31 white maple not channelled;
concert ebony fingerboard with 29 frets under E.
- type Classico A has an engraved neck with: a) inside machine-head;
b) optional laterar side machine head;
- only on type Classico A, with extra price of Euro 300,00 is possible
to insert special inox 18/8 stell frets, more unconfortable,
but with a very long duration; only for concertist.
- only on type classico A, with extra price of Euro 300,00 is possible
to have a pearl decorated shield and ebony and pearl finger
board.

[Jim Garber]

BTW Carlo Mazzacarra has a good handful of Calaces restored and for various prices in the classifieds. One ad is here. Other links to his other ads. And there are a few other Calaces in the classifieds though some will only ship within Canada.

[Tim Logan]

Off topic but of interest re. Carlo. He also has this “German” mandolin he designed - basically a German styled bowl with Neapolitan bracing, scroll head etc. He demo’d it for me and it is really very nice. I like it quite a lot. He seems to very much enjoy experimenting. Covid-19 has been devastating for his area and business but he remains healthy. Again, thanks to all who responded to this thread.

[Jim Garber]

Same seller now has an Embergher N.5 in the classifieds and also on Reverb.

I am a bit surprised that this is described as being restored. I am sure that the bowl is structurally sound now, but, sorry, I would not call it restored. It is quite possible that this was a real basket case in which case I would say the repairs were done the best as possible.

I have a 1904 N3 which also had some pretty bad repairs (for instance, wood putty on the fluted bowl) done on it in its long life but I spend a fair amount of money on it and had it completely restored. I know a skilled luthier would charge a lot of money to get something like this like it was when it came from Luigi's shop, so I assume that the owner decided to opt for playabiity. Certainly understandable.

[Eugene]

Bro Eug...I have a Cristofaro mandolin which has superb bass projection. It got me wondering whether the D sound hole also had an underlying effort to modulate the instrument's sound.

When I was at UTSOA we had a building structures prof who was all jazzed about Art Nouveau architecture. He went through all kinds of pains to show how the wrought iron curvatures of Hector Guimard, et al were also pretty accurate translations of the moment diagrams of the structures. We rolled with it. Our final exam was to do an analysis of one Guimard's metro stations... and redesign an column footing.

Interesting, Mick.