New Flatback Italian Mandolin

[DavidKOS]

I just got my new mandolin from my friend the luthier, Ernie Fischbach:

http://www.institutefortraditionalst...ic_history.htm

http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/...arch=flat+back

ELF Soundworks

This is a picture of him playing the original antique mandolin he copied:



On his website you can see several variations on this European flat back design and various woods. I got one with an ebony fingerboard, rosewood back and sides, and a giant sequoia top. The top comes from an old piece of wood and is very well aged.

Better pics to come...

[brunello97]

Muy coolioso, David. I anticipate more photos and maybe even a sound clip, amigo.

I have played many spruce top - rosewood back canted-top mandos and love the sound. RW and Sequoia--I look forward to more on that.

Congratulations to you and Ernie. I'm also a sucker for that traditional Siena Cathedral / black and white / barber pole binding.

Mick

[DavidKOS]

I'm also a sucker for that traditional Siena Cathedral / black and white / barber pole binding.

Mick

Thank you!

The barber pole binding was made of ebony and boxwood. Ernie and I thought that the old way with either MOP or ivory looked good but that boxwood would adhere better in the long run, as we've seen lots of lost inlay pieces over the years. He also made the tailpiece by hand too.

I need a little more time getting used to it but I do plan to post some sound/video files. I had the neck made a bit wider than many mandolins and it works well, but I do have to adapt.

[Hany Hayek]

Congratulations. You have been waiting for this for sometime. Looking forward for more pics and a video clip.
Happy New Year.

[T.D.Nydn]

David,,that's a heck of a nice mandolin youve gotten,,what scale length is that? Wonderful tailpiece,,do you like your new mandolin?

[DavidKOS]

David,,that's a heck of a nice mandolin youve gotten,,what scale length is that? Wonderful tailpiece,,do you like your new mandolin?

Thanks for asking.

scale length is app. 13 inches, so it's short and feels great

Yes, I like it a lot so far, I've been playing it a lot. It still has to break in as it's fresh off the maker's bench.

[Tavy]

David that looks very interesting - put me down for a sound clip too