1890s Bruno Fancy Bowlback Mandolin

Overview: This old bowlback is branded Bruno (for the New York retailer), but I am unsure exactly who the maker was. It has some similarities to early Weymann bowlbacks and also Bauer bowlbacks. I'm pretty sure it was made by one or the other for the Bruno label. In any case, it's an understated, but fancy-in-its-own way instrument. It has rosewood back and sides, an ebony fretboard, premium (for the time) tuners, and nice purfling and rosette details. This latter bit would have been in bright colors when new (salmon pink, bright orange, yellow, and green) but has faded to muted colors as it's aged. There's a nice volute at the back of the headstock.

Repairs included: Tim did a good job going over this one. We wanted to do a neck reset but the neck and block are the same part on this instrument, so he removed the fretboard extension and reset it at a shallower angle to remove a little ski-jump problem over the body. He made a new bridge, repaired some back and side seam separations, made a new bone nut, replaced a small section of decorative veneer at the back of the heel, and set it up. I think Sarah may have done the level/dress job on the frets. It's playing spot-on and ready to serve.

• Weight: 1 lb 9 oz
• Scale length: 13 1/4"
• Nut width: 1 1/8"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 55/64"
• Depth at seventh fret: 1 1/64"
• Body width: 8 3/8"
• Body depth: 5 3/4"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid rosewood
• Bracing type: ladder
• Bridge: ebony
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 32w-9 ultra light GHS A240 set
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: low/narrow

Condition notes: It's got a replacement bridge, replacement nut, and some added screws at the tailpiece to replace missing hooks for the strings. The tailpiece cover is missing. It has some repaired side/back seams. There's average wear and tear throughout and some small, fine paint speckles here and there throughout the finish.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: AXBD