Thought this unusual mandolin with it's triple (or more) stringing and interesting body shape and soundholes might interest you here.
Found the pic on this link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/WW-I-Russia...kAAOSwDwNenLpS
Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
Thought this unusual mandolin with it's triple (or more) stringing and interesting body shape and soundholes might interest you here.
Found the pic on this link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/WW-I-Russia...kAAOSwDwNenLpS
I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.
Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
Cool, I remember the days when you had to go to a museum exhibition to see things like this. 40 dollars is quite cheap.
His boots look the newest, not sure what his rank is there. And the chord he’s fingering, a Gm? -assuming it’s triple strings tuned in fifths?
Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
Jo, I have a feeling we will see what your next instrument build will look like.
Jim
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Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
6 String balalaika!
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Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
Beautiful summer day!
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Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
Yes...and appears to play it with fingers like a 3 string balalaika.Originally Posted by Billy Packard
Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
Good spot! I wonder if this means these soldiers (or just the balalaika player*) are Ukrainian? It was all part of the Russian Empire at the time, and the 6 stringed ones are more common in Ukraine nowadays, though maybe not back then.
*According to a Russian speaker, the phrase is balalaikyechnik.
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Ha! I do have a new flat-backed mandolin design in mind, but it's closer to the Brazillian bandolims. Not sure if I like the body shape here myself. I should add however that if anyone *does* like this shape and wants to commission me to build a replica, I'm happy to do so!Jo, I have a feeling we will see what your next instrument build will look like.
- - - Updated - - -
Xapowo!
I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.
Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
Probably playing Laura's Theme ! Remember it ?
Thought this unusual mandolin with it's triple (or more) stringing and interesting body shape and soundholes might interest you here.
Found the pic on this link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/WW-I-Russia...kAAOSwDwNenLpS
Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
Sure do - but the tune was written much later for the movie.
Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
That kid with the cigarette...lol
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Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
Good photo, Jo. The fiddle looks less than full size in the photo.
I'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order. - Eric Morecambe
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Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
They are a choir?
Black jacket in the centre is the father of the kid?
‘Mandolinist’ has a certain family resemblance?
Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
I don't see Dave Apollon or my grandfather or great uncle in this photo. Some great boots in good order, so I wonder if the photo predates WW1 and the degradation of the Russian Army as the war progressed.
Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
The "kid" in the picture tells us a little more about wartime armies than we'd like to know. He may be a young-looking eighteen, but in many countries boys as young as 14 and 15 lied their way into the army. Also, as countries get more desperate, they allow older and younger people to enlist. I don't know what enlistment age in Russia was. Still, the photo seems to have been taken at a happy moment, at least for some of the soldiers.
Robert Johnson's mother, describing blues musicians:
"I never did have no trouble with him until he got big enough to be round with bigger boys and off from home. Then he used to follow all these harp blowers, mandoleen (sic) and guitar players."
Lomax, Alan, The Land where The Blues Began, NY: Pantheon, 1993, p.14.
Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
-yes I felt a bit sorry for the mandolinist, he may be carrying shrapnel.
But I guess as an invalid, for the time being he can at least play music.
Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
I think the fiddle is full sized. Just wondering what the folks in civilian clothing are doing there? As well as why the front row is on stools? Was this a performance group? Also, looking at the back of the picture, it appears multiple folks may have signed it. Makes me wonder if it was a celebration? Were they playing for dancers? Ah, so many questions.
Unfortunately, I'm terrible at figuring out clothing otherwise would like to know where the person on the right fits in. Not a regular suit, but definitely dressed up.
Really cool.
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Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
I think he's wearing Russian or Ukrainian peasant clothing of that period. Here's a contemporary version. It's an interesting photo though. I'd love to hear the story.
Last edited by Ranald; Dec-08-2020 at 8:01pm.
Robert Johnson's mother, describing blues musicians:
"I never did have no trouble with him until he got big enough to be round with bigger boys and off from home. Then he used to follow all these harp blowers, mandoleen (sic) and guitar players."
Lomax, Alan, The Land where The Blues Began, NY: Pantheon, 1993, p.14.
Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
Wonder how many were still alive two-three years later...
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Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
The two guys in neckties look like they were added into the image after the photo was taken - very distracting.
I wish I could have heard the group playing/singing together. I bet they were awesome!
Jerry M.
Re: Interesting picture of WW1 Russian mandolin / mandriola
My Dad was great at Cossack dancing- I imagine many of the non-playing members of this picture could kick up quite a storm.
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