Re: Piccolo Mandolin
Originally Posted by
Charles E.
Honestly, I don't see how these pocket mandolins can compete with a full size bodied instrument in sound...
They don't -- or at least, mine doesn't. I have a Holdrio Picolo (correct spelling) made-in-Germany but English labeled for US sale. The label says, "W. V. Co., N. Y." in small letters, but I haven't been able to ID the company. It's a bit more of a bowl-back than the OP's, with three ribs, and a Nubian figure in marquetry for pickguard.
It has a very thin treble sound, tuned GDAE with X-light strings (13.25-inch scale). I was given it by a great-aunt, who obtained it from a person she was care-taking; apparently he was in a college mandolin club in the 1920's. I've kept it as a curiosity, but it's very seldom out of its (1/8 violin) case. I think that Charley has a good "take," that the small size of the instruments was their selling point.
Quite a number of them around, mostly German-made that I've seen. Sonically inferior to the also-trebly sound of my Howe-Orme mandolinetto. A footnote in the extensive mandolin history, IMHO.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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