1900 Calace "Armed" or "Lyre-Shaped" Mandolira Bowlback Mandolin

Overview: A shop friend picked this adorable mandolin up somewhere or other and it wound-up here, thankfully. It's a lovely instrument and, luckily-enough, has the year of manufacture penned right on its label. The Calace family is still making bowlback mandolins, but this almost presentation-grade instrument was built in the prime of the company and at a time when this style of instrument was highly desirable. This "lyre-shaped" mandolin -- called a mandolira -- with its long, body-extension "arms" is a rare type, but they do turn-up from time to time.

Tone: Like any nicely-made Italian bowlback mandolin, its sound is focused and crisp with emphasis on the mids and upper mids with a clean bottom and a slightly-mellowed treble. It's perfect for blending into ensemble play or taking a lead role when tremolo-picking.

Feel: The neck is slim and quick and handles easily. It has a rosewood (or rosewood-wrapped) shaft which gives it a "non-finished" quickness about it.

Interesting features: Those "arms" are the selling point, obviously! It has an interesting rear, though, too, with a "domed" back rather than "bowlback" look. It's very ornamental and architectural in how it's all put together.

Repairs included: Tim gave it a level/dress of the frets, repaired a few damaged cosmetic concerns, cleaned it up, and set it up nicely. We compensated the bridge as much as possible as well. It's playing quick and easy.

• Weight: 2 lbs 1 oz
• Scale length: 13 1/8"
• Nut width: 1 1/16"
• Neck shape: slim C
• Board radius: flat
• Body width: 9 5/8"
• Body depth: 5 1/4"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid maple
• Bracing type: ladder
• Bridge: rosewood
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: rosewood!
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 32w-9 extra light
• Neck relief: hair of relief
• Fret style: bar, low+small

Condition notes: It has a repaired top crack and a bunch of wear and tear/grunge throughout, but for the most part it has an elegant, decently-kept look about it. One dot in the fretboard is a replacement as well and the bridge is unoriginal.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: MBUN -- but, currently, not for sale...