2000s Giacomel Jazz 5 Carved-Top Archtop Mandolin

I don't crush on instruments much at all anymore, but when this Giacomel came in the shop for a quick setup, it was love at first sight. Luckily, it's happily in the hands of its owner again, so my lusty pains have receded.

This thing sounds, plays, and looks aces all around. I can't say anything more than that. It's classy and built beautifully. It's got a sort-of wide, airy, woody, sweet tone to it but also an enormous amount of volume. I can completely understand why these have become the bee's knees for top-flight mando players.

It's carved spruce over carved, flamed maple and has ebony fittings, board, and bridge. This one is interesting in that it has a mellower, amber-yellow finish color to its top and back rather than the stark, bright/natural color many of these have.