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I was not sure where to put this -- the Calace thread did not seem appropriate -- but figured it should be noted for any one interested in pursuing it. Perhaps this came be the general section for these mandolins.
Mandolino Lombardo by Carlo Albertini e Figli
Jim
Here is another one of interest.
Despite the seller's conjecture, I am not so sure that it is Italian, at least the inlays looks pretty American as does the fretboard shape, esp at the higher reaches.
Jim
Yes, curious... Perhaps more curious is the fact that the buyer is located in Italy— Rome, if I remember correctly. A "trend reversal"? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/...icons/rock.gif
Wow, that last piece is intriguing, but pretty wrecked. #I agree, it does look like an American piece to me. #The only place I've seen a fingerboard terminus of that shape is on early mandolins labeled A.C. Fairbanks.
There's a fellow in Uruguay(!) who's listed a mandolin by Balsamo that seems quite attractive. I suspect Balsamo to be a transplant - the mandolin was made in Argentina, but looks like a very high-end Italian product. Ebay number 3721032838. (Someone ought to tell me how to make these links work).
How'dja do that, Jim?
Click on the "http://" button above the reply window. Paste in the Web site address, hit "OK", then it will prompt you to type in whatever word you want to link it to. Hit "OK" again. It will then appear with the proper code in the reply window.
The confusing part is that it will appear after the last typed word even if you move your cursor. You sometimes have to cut and paste it to move it to where you want it.
Jim
Just came up: A nice Vega.
Click here: #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/...cons/smile.gif
Looks like a Style No. 2 Vega, 19 rosewood ribs, "Sound hole inlaid with green brilliant pearl" according to the catalog.
BTW, I emailed the seller with the usual string caveat.
Jim
It seems to be in a really good condition. Very nice!
Alex.
Ebay is awash in goodies. At this writing there's a Lyon & Healy style A at $1500, with only one bid; it sells in 18 hrs.
There's a Vinaccia, a Salsedo (a bit worse for wear), a De Meglio clone, and a raft of US bowls, including a Martin 6A, seen hereabouts on occasion.
Good thing I'm broke. Care to join me?
Here is another interesting bowlback from Catania. Label says Giuseppe Indelicato.
I love that bird on the pickguard. Too bad it is in Ukraine. (The mandolin, not the bird)
Jim
The back on that Balsamo looks very nearly identical to my Style 4 Vega
Being new I haven't seen many bowl backs. This site has some that look marvelous to me. It is a site from a luthier who restores bowl backs and it even has some humor. John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/...ns/biggrin.gif
http://www.oldmandolin.com/
This is the famous Carlo M who has been referred to on this board a number of times.
Jim
Here's a rare Martin on eBay, with interesting fretboard inlay.
bratsche
Ah, you tempt me bratsche, the mid-range voiced harpie!
The scary part of this seller's description (other than his use of all caps) is this: "IT APPEARS THAT THE BRIDGE HAD BEEN REGLUED AT ONE TIME."
I emailed him to find outwhat he means by that. and the usual string caveat. I am getting tired of saying it.
Aaaaargh.
Jim
Let's hope the bridge simply has been shifted to correct intonation, the original position left a "footprint," and no glue whatsoever was involved.
Jim - you should simply type out your "usual string caveat' once and for all - save to a file, and copy/paste as necessary.
Eugene - that's what I was thinking too. An old footprint in the varnish could look like some sort of glue residue, to an inexperienced examiner. Hopefully.
bratsche http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/...icons/wink.gif
... or maybe he MEANT it! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/...ticons/sad.gif In fact, when I acquired my current double-bass, some previous owner had in fact driven a nail through the top, just in case the soundpost would wander away... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/...ns/biggrin.gif
But, let us be optimistic.
Yeah, my eternally-in-restoration Vinaccia had its bridge glued down, in addition to other problems. (Sides shrunk so the braces popped through, for example). I haven't had the heart to bug TC about it for the last month or so, but rumor has it that it'll be finished real soon now, like the software vendors used to say.
I'm sitting on my hands regarding the current Vinaccia on the 'bay; after all, I do own one, even if I've never seen it.
heeeeheeee... I once had a student, long ago and far away. He showed up with his soundpost glued into his violin, after his father had drilled a hole into the top to get ahold of it! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/...ticons/sad.gif His parents were too cheap to get proper repairs done, so I saw quite a few, ahem... "weird things" with his instrument, but that was the one that took the cake. Let's say it put me off teaching for life, at the tender age of 17.
bratsche
Time's running out for the maple Vinaccia - 2 hrs to go, and it's jumped to $1005. The Balsamo in Uruguay has 6 hrs or so left; no one has bid on it yet - maybe it can be yours for 250.
A third item I'd been eying greedily is a workingman's Ceccherini, with 3 days to run. It's at 72 pounds; the seller says it has only a single soundboard. I was seriously gonna pursue it, mandopig that I am, but I wanted the double board. Given Victor's experiences, it'd be a nice item at two or three times the current asking, perhaps.