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

**milli857** · May-08-2023, 12:28pm

Just look at this crazy thing!
https://reverb.com/item/56616280-man...egypt-est-1900

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**brunello97** · May-08-2023, 1:00pm

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

**vic-victor** · May-09-2023, 6:17am

Certainly a highly unusual instrument, beautiful in a way, but the price is way out of reach with the reality.

**DavidKOS** · May-09-2023, 6:33am

Originally Posted by vic-victor

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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**vic-victor** · May-09-2023, 7:07am

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.

**brunello97** · May-09-2023, 3:17pm

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

**Jim Garber** · May-09-2023, 4:14pm

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?

**vic-victor** · May-09-2023, 5:23pm

Originally Posted by Jim Garber

I also am curious how the stamping below the label reads.

Looks like the same stamp as above the label.

**brunello97** · May-09-2023, 5:36pm

Originally Posted by Jim Garber

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

**Hany Hayek** · May-10-2023, 3:12pm

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.

**DavidKOS** · May-10-2023, 5:39pm

Originally Posted by Hany Hayek

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.