1913 Weymann Mandolute Octave Mandolin (Mandocello Mod)

Above: in its current stringing as an octave mandolin.

Above: when it arrived as-is strung as a mandocello.

This was actually intended as a mandocello but the low C course is rather quiet in that configuration and it only has a 24" scale length so I've strung it up as an octave mandolin instead and it sounds gorgeous this way, with clean, rich sustain and a pretty, Celtic-like, sing-song voice. I know in the video for the mandocello tuning that it sounds nice and full but the reality of it is that it sounds far better in GDAE tuning.

That aside, just take a look at this thing! It's got the usual Weymann Mandolute body shape and style with the "fiddle edges" and all but on a much-more massive scale. The flamed-maple back and sides simply pop and the thick ivoroid binding and purfling and rosette details are classy and restrained.

Did I mention that this is the only Weymann mandocello that I know of and that mandocellos from the time are disgustingly-rare anyhow? By far the vast majority of Weymann mandolin instruments are normal mandolins and I've personally only seen two mandolas -- and I worked on both of them.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, minor bridge modification, and setup work. Much really good repairwork was done in the past (probably the '90s) including a neck reset, board replacement with ebony (these had ebonized maple, usually, and they get cruddy over time), a wedge-reinforcement to the neck/under the board, boutique adjustable bridge made for it, new board binding and nut, and various old hairline crack (smaller ones) repairs. It's good to go.

Weight: 3 lbs 14 oz

Scale length: 24"

Nut width: 1 1/2"

Neck shape: medium-bigger soft V

Board radius: 10"

Body width: 13 1/2"

Body depth: 4 1/8" (in middle)

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple

Bracing type: ladder

Bridge: ebony

Fretboard: ebony

Neck wood: two-piece figured maple

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 46w, 32w, 20w, 12

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium-bigger

Condition notes: it's original save for fretboard and bridge. There's some signs of monkeying around the tuners at the headstock but the tuners are the recessed-plate types seen on Weymanns and they look right. As noted above, there are many excellently-executed old repairs that I'm happy to see as it meant our work was very light indeed. Per the usual, there are a variety of small repaired cracks in the top and back and a couple on the sides. There's also general finish wear and tear throughout but said finish is all-original and overall in nice shape. The flamed-maple on the back and sides really pops!

It comes with: a gigbag.