1970s Suzuki Spruce/Maple Bowlback Mandolin

Overview: This mandolin is not branded but it's definitely a Japanese-made Suzuki product, likely from the late '60s or early '70s. I've handled almost identical instruments in the past. We worked on this years ago for its owner but it's since come in for consignment and needed... nothing save a light fill job on a center-seam crack on the top (in the path of the strings ahead of the tailpiece). It's was still playing just the same as it left...!

These have a good, round, sweet sound and plenty of directional projection. Classical mandolin was popular in Japan at the time (and is still popular, I think) for school orchestras and that was the incentive behind Suzuki producing these nice, latter-era bowlbacks. This one has a nice "wrist rest" elevated guard on the lower bout, wood binding, and fancier trim than normal. The fretboard extension out over the soundhole also means it can play "lead" mandolin "in orchestra" as it has the range for it.

Repairs included: Previously, it got a level/dress of the frets and setup. It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 1 lb 5 oz
• Scale length: 13 1/4"
• Nut width: 1 1/16"
• Neck shape: medium-deeper V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 0.89"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.99"
• Body width: 8 1/4"
• Body depth: 4 1/2" +/-
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid maple
• Bracing type: ladder
• Bridge: rosewood, compensated
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16”
• String gauges: 34w-10
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: small/low

Condition notes: It shows mild wear throughout but is in good order. There is a repaired center seam on the top, lower-bout area. The frets are quite low near the end of the extension (something we had to do to level a bit of "ski jump" out of the extension area). The tuners are not amazing but work fine.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: DJSO