LOUIS PATENOTTE MANDOCELLO-Repair

[NickR]

No measurements. This might be a good project. I assume it is 1940s or 50s but possibly older- the label suggests post-war.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12513469305...emCondition=10

[DavidKOS]

Something tells me a bit of TLC and one would have a very nice instrument.

[NickR]

In fact, there are measurements which I missed.

[William Smith]

It really doesn't look to need too much. I think it's a very good buy for someone that wants a sweet sounding mandocello! Why is there a fret right after the nut on some of these older instruments? I gave away a few old 50's Kay guitars that had that also.

[Sue Rieter]

I was interested in a "pochette mandolin" by the same maker awhile back, but I waited too long. It appears that it was a nice instrument after repair.

https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/20...-pochette.html

[NickR]

"Why is there a fret right after the nut on some of these older instruments? I gave away a few old 50's Kay guitars that had that also."

That's a zero fret- and is seen in the main on European made instruments. I can't say I have seen them on 50s Kays- possibly those made in the 70s in the Far East may have them after Kay in Chicago had folded. I think Gretsch used a zero fret after 1959 on some electric guitars as Chet Atkins requested it- some reckon you get better tone on open strings- or the same tone as on a fretted note. I am afraid my ears do not really give me an opinion on this matter but if Chet reckoned it made for better tone, then I am not going to argue.

[Dusepo]

Nice instrument, not something you see every day. Needs what looks like minimal repair. Though, who knows what lurks inside? Some of the pictures which show the condition of the finish suggest it's been in a high humidity environment, maybe water or mould damaged.