Posted 13 years ago
musikchoo
(638 items)
Hello:
Can anyone tell me about this Mandolin. I also have the original case and they are both in exellent condition! Thanks for the help !
A suzuki Mandolin made by Kiso Suzuki Violin co. L.T.D. Japan. I believe it was made in the early 1900's. | ||
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Thank You Mani !!
Were you able to find out any more about this mandolin? Value?
No. Can you help ?
These mandolins, like their modern descendants, are called Neapolitan mandolins because they originate in Naples, Italy. They are distinguished by an almond-shaped body with a bowled back constructed from curved strips of wood along its length. The sound table is bent just behind the bridge, the bending achieved with a heated bending iron. This "canted" table helps the body support a greater string tension. A hardwood fingerboard is flush with the soundtable. Ten metal or ivory frets are spaced along the neck in half-steps, with additional frets glued upon the soundtable. The strings are brass except for the lowest string course, which are gut or metal wound onto gut. The bridge is a movable length of hardwood or ivory placed in front of ivory pins that hold the strings. Wooden tuning pegs are inserted through the back of a flat pegboard. The mandolins have a tortoise shell pickguard below the soundhole under the strings. A quill or shaped piece of tortoise shell is used as a plectrum.
This is just some of the information I have learned from my research. It is quite fascinating to learn about these lovely instruments. I love the art quality of them as much as the music aspect.
Connie
Thank You for your research on my item. Did you notice on the last photo where it says Suzuki Mandolin, Kiso Violin Suzuki Co. LTD, Japan. I am confused about the Information being different. Can you tell me anything about the discrepancy??
Thank You again !!
Not sure about the discrepancy but am looking in to it. Here's a link you can go to. I think the # 60 looks an awful lot like yours. http://www.mandolinluthier.com/japanese_mandolin_makers_suzuki.htm
there's a lot of good information there. If I find out anything else, I will certainly let you know. I love these things and love learning as much as I can about them. Til then,
Connie
These mandolins are also called tater-bugs and bowlbacks. The C.F. Martin Co. produced these as early as 1904 in the USA. They sometimes are used by bluegrass musicans because they produce a very clear loud tone. What you have is a Neapolitan, bowlback, or tater-bug mandolin. Depending on who you are talking to. Made by the Kiso Suzuki Violin Co.
Kiso Suzuki Violin Co. was started after the second world war. Late 1940's 0r early 1950's. The label inside your mandolin suggest this was made in recent times. My guess is the 1980's. Kiso went bankrupt in 1987.
Thank You Connie and Thanks for the Interest and Help !!
I have one of these mandolins. Mine is from 1966 and after comparing mine with the photos I think I can deduct that this a later model. Possibly late or early 1970's. The head stock and gear on the your mandolin both look more modern than on mine. The model number of my mandolin is 226 and it was made in Nagoya Japan in 1966. I can't find any pictures of mine online, but I have my own if you want to see them. Please let me know if i'm wrong about anything.