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Thread: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

  1. #1
    giuseppe severini
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    Default BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

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    This is a really nice instrument, in my opinion, with very nice outline.
    I don't mind about decorations missing.
    It could be restored or even kept as a document leaving it the way it is and making a new copy of it.

  2. #2
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Now we'e talking. Thanks, Giuseppe. This is very interesting. Have you checked out these other threads on Silvio Martucci?

    http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...light=martucci

    http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...light=martucci

    Some interesting speculation on Martucci's early work and partnership.

    Here is another Biggio & Martucci mandolin, of a much less impressive quality (this looks like the one that shows up in the first thread above):

    http://ebay.co.ua/catalog/show/140687469201/

    Mick
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  3. #3
    giuseppe severini
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Thank you Mick, very very interesting stuff.
    It is really a pleasure to meet people like you. Thanks Mandolin Cafe !
    You know? I think I will restore my Biggio & Martucci when I will be back to Italy!
    I saw there is not so much work to do on it. Just to repair the right side of top and to make a new bridge.
    Strange thing: the nut is mother of pearl !
    I 'll let you know!!!
    Giuse.

  4. #4
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by giuseppeseverini View Post

    This is a really nice instrument, in my opinion, with very nice outline.
    I don't mind about decorations missing.
    It could be restored or even kept as a document leaving it the way it is and making a new copy of it.
    Fix that scratchplate: it could be quite beautiful. That one looks like it had a rough life.
    Jim

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  5. #5
    Registered User Oliver R's Avatar
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Hello,
    Just as an aside what is the black resin/wax used on these instruments to fix the inlay?
    Oliver

  6. #6
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Oliver R View Post
    Just as an aside what is the black resin/wax used on these instruments to fix the inlay?
    it is called mastic. A couple of threads -- in the first the link provided no longer exi

    Mastic(k)

    Mastic Recipe

    You can see how luthier Gary Nava uses it here:

    Brendan's Mandolin Part II: Rosette
    Jim

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  7. #7
    Registered User Oliver R's Avatar
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Exellent, thanks Jim
    I have a bit of restoration going on myself!!

  8. #8
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Nice links, Jim. I like the tiny springs Gary uses to hold his rosette ovals in place.

    Can one still find those pearl arabesques such as those that are missing from Giusseppe's B&M? Is anyone still making those?

    Mick
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  9. #9
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by brunello97 View Post
    Can one still find those pearl arabesques such as those that are missing from Giusseppe's B&M? Is anyone still making those?
    I assume you are talking about the ones in the rosette? I would check on DePaule site. I am not sure if they have the exact inlay but they work with overseas pearl cutters and I am sure they can make those in some quantity.

    They do have some similar ones here but looking thru pages starting here might be better.
    Jim

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  10. #10

    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Congratulations Guiseppe, although I'm somewhat jealous I'm happy it's found a good home - hope you'll keep me updated if you decided to restore it.

    With so many Martucci's turning up I thought I'd post a composite of the Martucci mandolins and add a few notes.

    Martucci & Biggio 1 and 2 (New York) - made between 1893 and 1895. My GGF Silvio arrived in New York from Naples in 1893 before moving to Philadelphia around 1895.
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    Silvio Martucci 1 and 2 (Philadelphia) - made between 1895 and 1896. Most likely made before my GGF opened his shop on 8th street.
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    S. Martucci (753 S. 8th St. Philadelphia) - made between 1896 and 1903. My GGF Silvio moved from this address in 1904 after which he began working for Weymann.
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    Nice to know my Great Grandfather is worthy of discussion here at the Cafe. Fred.

  11. #11

    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Forgot to attach the labels - here they are.
    Attachment 85163Attachment 85164Attachment 85165
    Fred

  12. #12
    giuseppe severini
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    When I will be back to Italy I will restore this mandolin by your GGF.
    I have to glue the top in some points, make a support for the right end of the braces and make a new bridge.
    The instrument is strong and well built, with nice woods.
    I'll let you know about the sound !
    G.

  13. #13
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I assume you are talking about the ones in the rosette? I would check on DePaule site. I am not sure if they have the exact inlay but they work with overseas pearl cutters and I am sure they can make those in some quantity.

    They do have some similar ones here but looking thru pages starting here might be better.
    Cool. That is a good resource, Jim. Is this part of Antonio Tsai's Empire?

    Mick
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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Martucci View Post
    ..Nice to know my Great Grandfather is worthy of discussion here at the Cafe. Fred.
    Fred, are you kidding? We love this kind of stuff, particularly unearthing material about the Italo-American builders on the East Coast. There are some great books out on Chicago mandolins (eg Washburn and Regal) but not a lot on the Boston-NY-NJ-Philadelphia axis, so every nugget of discovery counts. Probably more information about these EC mandolins here than any place on the planet. Your contributions have been delightful and very interesting to us all. Even more now with Giuseppe's involvement and the potential 'traversata inversa' of your GGF's mandolin.

    Giuseppe, you have to stay involved in the conversations here after you get back home!

    Mick
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  15. #15
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by brunello97 View Post
    Cool. That is a good resource, Jim. Is this part of Antonio Tsai's Empire?
    Andy DePaule's story is here. The good part is that they will cut custom pearl for a reasonable price, or so he says.
    Jim

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  16. #16
    giuseppe severini
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    When I will be back home I will be more nasty, Mick, I promise you !!!
    G.

  17. #17
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by giuseppeseverini View Post
    When I will be back home I will be more nasty, Mick, I promise you !!!
    G.
    Sgradevole? Tu? Io non ci credo. Besides, Jim here has my back.

    Mick
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  18. #18
    giuseppe severini
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Ahahahahah! no! non sgradevole!!!
    volevo dire fastidioso, nel senso che mi faro' sentire spesso !!!
    The more appropriate word might be ... stalking ....in a good sense!
    Bye
    G.

  19. #19
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    I don't know if there is a good sense to the word stalking -- unless it has something to do with celery (sedan?). Perhaps you mean that you will be watching these forums often?
    Jim

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  20. #20
    giuseppe severini
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Yes it is that! but I was trying to use new english words ... without success !!!
    G.

  21. #21
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    I have trouble also using English words sometime.
    Jim

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  22. #22
    giuseppe severini
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    !!!!

  23. #23

    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    We love this kind of stuff, particularly unearthing material about the Italo-American builders on the East Coast. Mick[/QUOTE]

    So who is this Giuseppe Severini? While researching my GGF I came across a listing in a 1896 Philadelphia Directory for Silvio Martucci & Giuseppe Severini Musical Instruments. Strange coincidence or ....? Giuseppe's search for info on the Ricca side of his family led him to a Martucci while my search led me to both a Ricca and a Severini. Perhaps with some more digging we can establish some family ties.

    Fred

  24. #24
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Giuseppe can answer that, but suffice it to say he is a luthier from Sicily over here for a few weeks.
    Jim

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  25. #25

    Default Re: BIGGIO & MARTUCCI Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Giuseppe can answer that, but suffice it to say he is a luthier from Sicily over here for a few weeks.
    Jim, the Guiseppe Severini I was refering to was the one listed in the 1896 Philadelphia directory. I just found it interesting that the OP had a namesake that was also in the musical instrument business and was linked to my GGF.

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