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Thread: Japanese bowlback

  1. #26
    Registered User Plamen Ivanov's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by (Bob A @ May 10 2007, 22:47)
    The soundhole with its D-shape has been seen on some Calace models, also on Cristofaro.
    And also on some Puglisi and Herwiga models. I like the outlook.

  2. #27
    Michael Reichenbach
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    Hello, I have never before seen a mandolin by Watanabe, but the builder is listed in the mandolin cafe builders database:

    Name:
    Watanabe, Hiroaki
    Company:
    Address:
    5-43-5 Takinogawa
    Kita-ku, 114-0023
    Tokyo
    Country:
    Japan
    Link:
    Phone/fax:
    Phone: 03 3916 8528 Fax: 03 3916 8529
    Comments:
    Japanese Stringed Instrument Maker's Association web site.
    Update:
    November, 2003
    ID:
    346
    Homepage: www.mandoisland.de / Blog: www.mandoisland.com / Freiburg / Germany

  3. #28
    Registered User Bruce Clausen's Avatar
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    The JSIMA website lists that Watanabe as a lute builder (which is close enough to mandolin), but our builder is S. Watanabe, if I'm reading the label right. It is a very common surname. Perhaps the label gives the full name in Japanese?

    BC

  4. #29
    Michael Reichenbach
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    Another mandolin by Hashimura (branded Torella M-50):

    I was offered another mandolin by Hashimura, and I bought it last week. The sound is again very nice, typical italian, very bright in the high region. It was built in 1980. The neck has a slight bend, but the overall condition is very good.
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    Homepage: www.mandoisland.de / Blog: www.mandoisland.com / Freiburg / Germany

  5. #30
    Michael Reichenbach
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    Here is the back of this mandolin.
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  6. #31
    Registered User Bruce Clausen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    This seems a good time to revive this old thread, what with new names and faces appearing in the Top Classical Builders thread. Could Hiin, K. Wong, Dave H. and any others share their Japanese information here as well?

    I still play the Watanabe I mentioned earlier in this thread. Anyone know if he still builds?

  7. #32

    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    Nice-looking, "Romanesque" Japanese mandolin, Michael! Thanks for posting these images!

    Cheers,

    Victor
    It is not man that lives but his work. (Ioannis Kapodistrias)

  8. #33

    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    Mr.Watanabe builds some of mandolins that are used in our club (the one we used collectively before we buy our own).
    I think the S from S.Watanabe stands for Seiji, the maker's first name.
    I don't know whether he still active or not, but online shops that I usually visit doesn't list his name.
    A website do list his name, but only sells old instruments.

    I attached some pictures of my Kawada mandola, if anyone interested.
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    Last edited by Hiin; Jul-09-2010 at 8:22pm.

  9. #34
    Registered User Bruce Clausen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    Thank you for the information about Watanabe, Hiin.

    Your mandola is a beautiful instrument! There seem to be many fine builders in Japan. It's too bad for us outside Japan that most of the website information is given in Japanese only.

  10. #35

    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    Lovely! I believe that my comrade-at-arms (bassist-by-day, mandolinist-by-night) Jonathan Jensen owns and plays a Japanese mandola, too. Judging by his previous commentary on this instrument, it must be a fine one, indeed!

    Interesting, also, that sickle-shaped peg-head; I've only seen such a shape on domras. (Let us please steer clear of lame, Cold-War-era jokes... ;-)

    Cheers,

    Victor
    It is not man that lives but his work. (Ioannis Kapodistrias)

  11. #36
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    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    I don't have much to add, only that Takusari is the luthier who inherited Pecoraro's tools and is building Embergher mandolin in Japan for 20 years. When you entered his site, it may be interesting to know that his Embergher 6 is not as expensive as the top model of the other luthiers.
    Ochiai is very popular in Japan, many Japanese use it. naturally, they do not use the SS, for it is very expensive.
    As to Kadma, I do not know much about him except that Kizoh Sakakibara, who is my favorite soloist, uses it.

  12. #37
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    Quote Originally Posted by Bruce Clausen View Post
    I guess I'm in this club too. I picked up a nice handmade Japanese instrument a few years ago. Work is not really fine, but it plays and sounds very good. Looks a lot like the mandolin shown above, but with a fleur-de-lis head shape, and a very dramatic sweeping shape to the soundhole and inlaid scratchplate-- very Japanese looking to this untrained eye. Handwritten label reads S. Watanabe, Tokyo anno 1968 (plus Japanese writing). Anyone know anything about this maker?
    Time to re-visit this thread. On the CL listings you referenced for the Gavin Baird mandolin on another thread, I see this Watanabe mandolin which looks nice with a reasonable price. or is this one yours, Bruce? Same year: 1968.
    Jim

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  13. #38
    Registered User Bruce Clausen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    Oops, busted. Now that I have a Ceccherini, I list that Watanabe every so often. Goes nowhere. Good mandolin, but the Cecch. is fantastic, and one bowlback is enough (or would some here disagree?).

  14. #39
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Time to re-visit this thread. On the CL listings you referenced for the Gavin Baird mandolin on another thread, I see this Watanabe mandolin which looks nice with a reasonable price. or is this one yours, Bruce? Same year: 1968.
    Wow.

    Just testing, Jim. What did I have for breakfast this morning?

    Mick
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  15. #40
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    The usual, Mick. You can't remember. Let me check my files and get back to you.
    Jim

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  16. #41

    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    Not that I intend to buy one - certainly not … - but surfed through the bowl back selection on ebay today and was very surprised to see so many from Japan. I looked through the archive but couldn't find any information on the luthiers mentioned - the links are long gone.

    Suzuki seems to dominate the listings, a few Watanabe instruments, Ishikawa, Ochiai, etc., to name a few of the other luthiers. Most instruments appear to have been refurbished my Tai Sam Lu in Taiwan and all of them appear to be in good nick. Does anyone have any further information on these mandolins?

  17. #42
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    Here's a 1981 Watanabe mandolin, more Embergher-ish in appearance. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mandolin-ma...5/173720765443
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  19. #43
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    Interesting. Aside from the stylistic peghead I am not so sure that this would be strictly an Embergher-ish (you do say "in appearance"). I can't quite tell whether the neck has that triangular look or not nor can I tell if the fretboard is radiused. The bolw looks annoying shiny. That may be the result of the repair person since the front looks different at least from the photos.

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    Jim

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  21. #44
    Registered User Bruce Clausen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    Thanks, Martin and Jim. From the photos it looks mighty good for the price. Definitely the same builder as the Watanabe I posted earlier in this thread. I passed that one on to an enthusiastic young player a year or two ago. It was not a really beautiful piece of work, but even and very powerful.

    Ad says: This mandolin was made by Seiji Watanabe in 1981 for a woman. I think that information ('for a woman') comes from the label; the label on mine named the player who had ordered the instrument. A nice touch, I think.

    Same seller has a few other hand-built Japanese mandolins, all at pretty modest prices.

  22. #45
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    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    A Watanabe was used in this With or Without You rendition by a talented player. He says in the comments- "Thanks. It was made by Watanabe, one of the most famous Japanese luthier."

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqSeWDalWd0

  23. #46
    Registered User Bruce Clausen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Japanese bowlback

    Wow, that is very nice playing, and a powerful mandolin. Thanks, jamman!

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