Imperiale mandolin ID help needed

[robhooveriii]

I have a mandolin that I am looking to sell online but before I do I’d like to learn more about it. This came from an estate I am helping liquidate so I don’t know much about the original owner. Attached are some photos of the instrument and any info this community can provide are much appreciated. On the top is says “Imperiale” but I can’t seem to find anything online so that may not be exactly right.

Thank you,

Rob Hoover III

[NickR]

This mandolin appears to have Japanese made tuners (which were used in the 1960s by Kay of Chicago) but a typical American style tailpiece- which could have been made elsewhere. It's not an expensive instrument but it looks quite attractive and I would guess it is 1970s but where it was made, I don't know. Again, it may be playable it might need work so it needs an experienced eye cast over it and then tuned up to reveal if there are any issues.

[MikeEdgerton]

There is one mention of this brand on the Mandolin Cafe in a message from 2008. There are no pictures but the description fits what you have posted. That one sold for $45.00. I'm not so sure that it has appreciated in value all that much. As Nick says, it's not an expensive instrument.

Here is what that post says:

"The name at the top of the instrument is "Imperiale" There does not seem to be any other markings on it. There are what seems to be mother of pearl dots going down the neck. I believe it is the classic pear shape with white and small black stripes going around the main body. The neck is a darker wood and the back and front are also of different color stock.

This was given to my dad many years ago by a friend and both are now gone"

he want $45.00

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...riale-mandolin

[Jim Garber]

Looks to me that this one was made by Suzuki in Japan and that would corroborate what others have said above. Suzuki made a number of instruments sold under other brands. 1970s sounds about right.