Ebay. E. de Cristofaro Neapolitan Mandolin. Thoughts?

[Solidturtle]

Anyone have any experience with these mandolins?
Doesnt seem to be much on this maker although what iv found is good.
Debating whether to give this a go

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2623850549...84.m1555.l2649

[Solidturtle]

Looking for a bit of a project and have a chance to pick one up.
Anyone have any experience with one of these?
Reckon this is worth a go

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2623850549...470&rmvSB=true

[Solidturtle]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2623850549...84.m1555.l2649

Was thinking about giving this a go.
What are your thoughts as this as a project?
Definately needs the face stripped from what i can see.
Also does anyone know where id be able to get a similar looking bridge?

Thanks

[MikeEdgerton]

I merged these three threads. No need to post basically the same message all over the forum.

[Jim Garber]

That top looks pretty bad and the bowl looks not too good either. I think for that price you can do better. You also don't know what is happening inside with this one. There are lots of bowlbacks out there. Get one in better shape or less expensive if you want a fixer upper.

[plinkey]

IMO that mandolin is grossly overpriced piece of junk.
If you'd like to acquire/practice bowlback mandolin repair skills, look elsewhere for better and much cheaper.
if you'd like to be able to play a bowlback mandolin off the bat, I'd suggest to look into a newer Suzuki.

[Tavy]

Cristofaro made some fine mandolins. Sadly that is no longer one of them - if it ever was. As for the price... run a mile!

[derbex]

If you want a Cristofaro this may be a better bet http://r.ebay.com/Onm0Jv -you could always make an offer.

[Solidturtle]

Cristofaro made some fine mandolins. Sadly that is no longer one of them - if it ever was. As for the price... run a mile!

Im not so sure i found one refurbished and it looks lovely.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Neapolitan...p2047675.l2557

[plinkey]

Im not so sure i found one refurbished and it looks lovely.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Neapolitan...p2047675.l2557

Indeed, that looks nice. As far as the price is concerned, I think that was also a very good deal. We ought to distinguish between derelict barn find mandolins sold "as is", and fully playable instruments which have been restored by apparently skilled hands such as "Javier" (Francisco) from Portugal in the above example. There is a major gap in effort and $$ spent on repairs separating the two. Obviously, a mandolin of modest pedigree such as Puglisi which has been restored and set up well, plays and sounds much better than a lofty Embergher which has caved in fingerboard or top, or broken bowl, etc. Fortunately for those who like to play their mandolins, such fully functional Puglisi mandolin could be obtained on eBay for a fraction of the price of a basket case Embergher.

The MC member Tavy often has very nicely restored vintage mandolins for sale at reasonable prices. Check him out here (http://jzmaddock.web44.net/restorations.html )

[Solidturtle]

Indeed, that looks nice. As far as the price is concerned, I think that was also a very good deal. We ought to distinguish between derelict barn find mandolins sold "as is", and fully playable instruments which have been restored by apparently skilled hands such as "Javier" (Francisco) from Portugal in the above example. There is a major gap in effort and $$ spent on repairs separating the two. Obviously, a mandolin of modest pedigree such as Puglisi which has been restored and set up well, plays and sounds much better than a lofty Embergher which has caved in fingerboard or top, or broken bowl, etc. Fortunately for those who like to play their mandolins, such fully functional Puglisi mandolin could be obtained on eBay for a fraction of the price of a basket case Embergher.

The MC member Tavy often has very nicely restored vintage mandolins for sale at reasonable prices. Check him out here (http://jzmaddock.web44.net/restorations.html )

Thanks plinkey looks like a nice collection