Hello all
I've just been given very nice mandolin, and being primarily a guitar player/restorer, my knowledge of these instruments is practically nil. There are no makers marks anywhere on the instument.
From my basic research, I believe this is called an 'A' style? The bout is 12" wide, the depth about 41/2". The top is from 3 pieces, and the back from 7 pieces. The binding is of 4 bands, in good condition apart from a slight pulling away at the tightest curve near the neck join. There are the starts of a crack in each of the centre to outer panels on the front over the bridge area. The back panels are fine. The finish has tiny crazing all over, including the head. All 17 frets are in good order and are nickel silver. It has no strings as yet. The tuners appear to be quite new replacements, as is the tailpiece. The front decoration is of a butterfly on a flower stem. The soundhole is unusual, (to me)
If anyone has any idea where this may have been built, or by whom, I would be pleased to know.
I have an urge to restore/refinish it in, possibly, a French Polish. From the crazing, it appears to have been finished with a cellulose varnish?
Thank you for any interest,
Best wishes to all
Richard
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