1910s Italian Super-Fancy Flatback Mandriola (12-String Mandolin)

Overview: Well, how about that? This 12-string mandolin is what's called a mandriola in some parts. This type of instrument is strung in a variety of ways depending on where you see them but over here in the States we usually do them up Italian-fashion and strung all in unison as heard here. The triple stringing over the double makes tremolo picking smooth and full-sounding if you're keen on tilting your pick at an angle just-so to make the most use of it. Chords (especially open ones) are rich and sweet with a little more warble and chorus effect. This one has decent volume, lots of sustain, and a good, clean, sweet sound that makes the most of those triple-course attributes. The neck is on the deeper side, though, so you have to not mind that (my hand loves it -- I learned on a big-neck mando).

Aside from all that, though, let's just nip it in the bud -- this thing is fancy. It's pearl-inlaid up the wazoo and everywhere and has a gorgeous, engraved-pearl, eagle-with-torch, ships-and-city on a green sea inlay in the pickguard and rosette area. There are flowers inlaid on the forearm rest near the tailpiece and the whole fretboard is a mix of marquetry-style inlay and chevron-style pearl inlay. The top edge has pearl block "rope" style inlay and a row of diamond-shaped stuff behind it. It's outrageous.

Repairs included: This got a lot of work. Tim reset the neck, reglued a hairline separation in the neck heel and reinforced it with a bolt or two internally, leveled/dressed the frets, fit a replacement parts-bin fancy bridge, and replaced a good amount of missing pearl inlay in the binding area and in the fretboard blocks. The work is so good you can't tell what's new and what's old. I did the setup. It's playing spot-on and ready to go!

• Weight: 1 lb 10 oz
• Scale length: 13 1/8"
• Nut width: 1 3/16"
• Neck shape: deep V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 63/64"
• Depth at seventh fret: 1 3/16"
• Body width: 9 7/8"
• Body depth: 2 5/8"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid (mahogany?) sides and ply (mahogany?) back
• Bracing type: ladder, deep
• Bridge: ebony w/separate saddle
• Fretboard: unsure, w/pearl inlay
• Neck wood: maple
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 32w-9 GHS A240 ultra light (1 1/2 sets)
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: very low/narrow bar stock

Condition notes: It has a ton of light-to-medium wear and tear throughout -- pickwear at the soundhole area in the spruce, small nicks and dings and scratches that have "aged-in" a little darker everywhere else, and some oily-looking spots on the back. It's mostly-original but has a few new screws in the headstock tuner plates and tailpiece area and a replacement bridge. As far as I can find, there are no cracks.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: PLKD