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Thread: Weird Graziano Macchi bowl-back with 2x oval holes and 2x F holes

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    Default Weird Graziano Macchi bowl-back with 2x oval holes and 2x F holes

    I guess I'll just stay right here, pick and sing a while...
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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weird Graziano Macchi bowl-back with 2x oval holes and 2x F h

    That's quite the mandolin.

    I have seen the "Rold Gold" pretzel soundhole design before but I don't recall one with what appears to be a double top / soundboard.

    Hopefully, our friend, Hany, sees this for the Cairo / Egyptian connection and can maybe shed some light on Graziano Macchi.

    Mick
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    Default Re: Weird Graziano Macchi bowl-back with 2x oval holes and 2x F h

    Certainly a highly unusual instrument, beautiful in a way, but the price is way out of reach with the reality.
    Last edited by vic-victor; May-09-2023 at 7:13am.

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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weird Graziano Macchi bowl-back with 2x oval holes and 2x F h

    Quote Originally Posted by vic-victor View Post
    Certainly a highly unusual instrument, beautiful in a way, but the price is way out of reach of a reality.
    I was wondering about that - my impression that the price was off by large amount. What would such an instrument be worth?

    Particularly with it having somewhat questionable action:

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  8. #5

    Default Re: Weird Graziano Macchi bowl-back with 2x oval holes and 2x F h

    It is not made by a famous luthier, so I'd confidently divide the asking price by 10. And that on a good day if some collector wants to add a curio to his/her collection.

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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weird Graziano Macchi bowl-back with 2x oval holes and 2x F h

    This is so curious, I'd enjoy finding out more about the maker.

    It's hard to tell if the second / inner top is complete or partial.

    Who else but Ceccherini was experimenting with a double top?

    The Loar era / Virzi 'tone producers' certainly came some time later.

    It's a finely made instrument, so I'm a bit surprised nothing turns up in a search among the usual suspects.

    Again, I'm hoping Hany catches wind of this.

    Mick
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weird Graziano Macchi bowl-back with 2x oval holes and 2x F h

    So the stamping above says "maker of musical instruments/Cairo, Egypt" and the label says "Premier Maker of Pianos in Arab and Egyptian style". I don't know what an arabic or Egyptian style piano would be. And interesting that the label would be in Italian. I also am curious how the stamping below the label reads. Also, is there a patent for this design?
    Jim

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    Default Re: Weird Graziano Macchi bowl-back with 2x oval holes and 2x F h

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I also am curious how the stamping below the label reads.
    Looks like the same stamp as above the label.

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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weird Graziano Macchi bowl-back with 2x oval holes and 2x F h

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    So…lthe label says "Premier Maker of Pianos in Arab and Egyptian style". I don't know what an arabic or Egyptian style piano would be. And interesting that the label would be in Italian?
    Maybe it was a design thing?

    BTW, why wouldn’t the label be in Italian?…assuming Graziano M was, himself…

    Mick
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    Registered User Hany Hayek's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weird Graziano Macchi bowl-back with 2x oval holes and 2x F h

    Glad Mick messaged me. Thank you Unfortunately I have no idea who Graziano Macchi is. In the 1900's there were lots of foreigners immigrating and living in Egypt. My great grandfather was one of them.
    The oud is the Egyptian instrument that comes to mind, but it's not built like that and definitely doesn't have a double top.
    Maybe they were referring to the holes, still not placed like on a oud.

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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weird Graziano Macchi bowl-back with 2x oval holes and 2x F h

    Quote Originally Posted by Hany Hayek View Post
    The oud is the Egyptian instrument that comes to mind, but it's not built like that and definitely doesn't have a double top.
    Maybe they were referring to the holes, still not placed like on a oud.
    That mandolin is not very oud-like, even the ouds with inlays I've seen look quite a bit different in style.

    The fancy inlay on that mandolin does remind me of some of the fancier Greek bouzoukis I've seen, though. Even then, it's very Italianate in style.

    As you say, those sound holes are pretty unique.

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