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Thread: Fraulini Caterina - a prototype

  1. #1

    Default Fraulini Caterina - a prototype

    For the last few weeks and in spite of the pandemic, I've had a welcome visitor in the house... a prototype mandolin built by Todd Cambio (Fraulini Guitar Co.). Todd is a guitar builder with a deep interest in the intertwined history of Italians and instrument building in the US. The Caterina that has been visiting with me a beautifully made instrument that's inspired by the bent-top, flat back instruments of the early 20th century, and you can include Vega cylinder-back instruments in that group as well.

    Some specifics:

    Top: European Spruce
    Back and sides: Maple
    Fingerboard: Unbound Ebony
    Bridge: Ebony
    Binding/Pickguard: Faux tortoise
    Scale length: 13 7/8"
    Body width: 9 1/2"
    Depth: 3"

    Pics tell a better story:

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    The more generous depth meant that he also had to create a custom case for it - quite a production for a prototype!

    The mandolin plays and sounds great - it's "wet" sounding in the way you might expect from a bent-top instrument - sweet and kind of rich sounding. It has the effect of seeming loud to the player. There are some physical things about the mandolin that I would change just in favor of ergonomics, but they're quibbles.

    These days, I'm mainly playing Italian music, which is probably why Todd sent it to me to try out. Here are a couple of videos that might tell the story of how it sounds a bit better than a bunch of prose. The tunes are all from Giovanni Vicari, which are all WAY over my head, musically, but I did have fun playing guitar on them!

    Anima Solitaria (Valser)


    Alcamo Marina (Mazurka)


    Una Notte A Catania (Mazurka)

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  3. #2
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    Default Re: Fraulini Caterina - a prototype

    Oh my! Beautiful instrument in sound and looks. Love the tailpiece.
    “Mandolin brands are a guide, not Gospel “
    - Data Nick

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  5. #3
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    Default Re: Fraulini Caterina - a prototype

    Great sound and build !

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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fraulini Caterina - a prototype

    What a lovely instrument!

    I particularly like those sort of mandolins...Click image for larger version. 

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  9. #5
    Registered User Cary Fagan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fraulini Caterina - a prototype

    Sounds great. And you have a great feel for the music.

    A side question. Do you know where the case is from? It looks smaller the standard A5 cases.
    Cary Fagan

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  11. #6

    Default Re: Fraulini Caterina - a prototype

    Thanks, Cary - I do what I can with what I got.

    Quote Originally Posted by Cary Fagan View Post
    Do you know where the case is from? It looks smaller the standard A5 cases.
    Todd actually built the case. The instruments that he builds occasionally fall outside the sizes, shapes and contours that are supported by the industrial standards, so when he has to build his own, he will. He wrote a blog post about the process a few years back, and I'm pretty sure he's refined the process and materials even more by now:

    Making a Case for Making a Case - Revisited

    The case with this particular mandolin is a perfect fit, that's for sure, and feels sturdier and more protective that the original case that came with my Martin style 20, while still looking like it came from the same era (through a time machine, of course).

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