1960s Del Vecchio Resonator Mandolin

Del Vecchio resonator instruments are scarce up here in the States. Many of them share the same gorgeous Brazilian rosewood ply veneer as found on lots of Giannini instruments and the construction details look like Giannini-built, but I can't confirm it. This one certainly looks stunning in it!

The most famous Del Vecchios are the resonator guitars favored by Chet Atkins, but this one is a "resonator bandolim" -- a resonator mandolin but in the Portuguese/Brazilian body shape and featuring the same curvy fretboard, neck shape, and wide-hips outline typical of those instruments.

I did not open the soundwell up because I didn't want to damage the coverplate (it has wood trim at its edges), but inside is a lightweight, spun-aluminum cone in a curved-slope shape. It's a "biscuit style" gone so the round-puck bridge sits on top of its center.

Post-repairs, it plays really fast and sounds a treat. It's not as loud as a National or Dobro-style resonator mandolin, but it does have a nice hint of sauce, it handles beautifully, and it looks gorgeous. It's a bit of a "woodier" tone as well. It definitely does its own thing.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, recut of the saddle slot and a new fully-compensated rosewood saddle install, cleaning, and setup. A previous fella made a replacement bridge cover/wrist rest for it.

Top wood: ply Brazilian rosewood

Back & sides wood: ply Brazilian rosewood

Bracing type: n/a (cone)

Bridge: rosewood with rosewood saddle

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: hair-under 1/16" overall (fast)
String gauges: 32w-9 extra-lights

Neck shape: medium C/D

Board radius: ~8" (tight!)

Neck relief: teensy hair of relief

Fret style: medium/very low

Scale length: 13 1/4"

Nut width: 1 1/4"

Body width: 11 1/2"

Body depth: 2 7/8"

Weight: 2 lbs 7 oz

Condition notes: the instrument is in overall great shape. The coverplate has a bit of sink/warp to it but that's normal on these. The handstrap/wrist rest/bridge cover is replaced and a little wonky but fun. The neck has a hair of relief to it on the treble side but it doesn't hurt playability -- this thing plays fast. Minor adjustments to action up/down can be done via shimming the saddle as desired. It's a drop-in.

It comes with: a funky gigbag.