Vintage Russian mandolin

[Nertoft]

Hi mando people! Thanks for letting me Join this community! I Just started playing mandolin on this handpainted one. I got this from my grandfather. There is no markings on it. There used to be a tag inside, its been removed for some reason. Probobly by us grandchildren thru the years its we have played with it. I know that he bought it in st.petersburg, russia like 30-40 years ago. And i cant ask him couse he passed away for 15years ago. wondering if some of you know when its from. Installed new strings on it and it sound nice!
Thanks!

[Simon DS]

That mandolin looks great with the painting, is that a thin coat of paint? I was thinking of painting one but not sure how the tone would change.

[Nertoft]

Thanks!
The painting is thin. I dont think it effects the sound

[allenhopkins]

Similar to the one found in Finland, discussed in this 2012 thread.

[Nertoft]

Thank you, Allanhopkins!

[Seter]

The Lunacharsky instrument factory was in St. Petersburg, odds are it was made there. I have a mandolin and a balalaika made there just out of interest in Russian culture/items.

[Nertoft]

Cool Seter. Thanks!

[vic-victor]

I'll sit down and write a post on Russian mandolins one day. There were many factories in the USSR that made ones. I have lots of photos in my files.

[Sue Rieter]

I have seen some cool looking Russian mandolins, many Soviet era, on ebay for short money (not like the OP's instrument, more basic looking). I wonder what they sound like.

[Nertoft]

Vic-victor! Ty, I will check it out

[Nertoft]

Sue Reiter. This is my first mandolin, so i cant compare it to any. I think it sounds really nice. Tried some mando's in my local shop, mine has more sound to it. The more expensive mandolins probobly have more clearer soud. As I said its hard to compare and even harder to explain

[Sue Rieter]

It's pretty subjective at some point, as many have said. Of course, some of the people who have sampled many mandolins, like those who have sampled many fine wines, will have a more sophisticated palate (of the ear) than maybe you or I.

[Nertoft]

Good point Sue!

[Simon DS]

Would be great to hear you play it here:
https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/group.php?groupid=76

Beaumont rag was last month’s tune.
Enjoy!

[Nertoft]

Simon DS, hehe i need to practice i bit more