Pocket & Piccolo Mandolins
Here are instruments photos and videos from past restoration projects "gallery only" , for instruments available for sale please see page "Instruments for Sale"
Old Bowl-backed "Pocket" Mandolin
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“Mandolino Tascabile” a rare mandolin called pocked size however not as small as name suggests. The bowl may be tiny but length of instrument and scale size is exactly the same as standard bowl-backed mandolin. Although there's no label present it's most likely to be of Sicilian origins and made no older than 1950's.
Mandolin is fitted with Nylgut strings – Aquila M1 Red Series​
Instrument measurements are as follows:
- total length 60cm - body width 12.5cm - from zero fret to 12th fret 166mm (total scale length 332mm) - Neck width at nut is 29mm, at body merge 36mm
Old German Pocket Mandolin
Unknown maker
Circa early mid 20th century
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Sweet little instrument often called “pocket mandolin” which have smaller but retains same scale length as standard mandolin and is tuned GDAE as opposite to Piccolo mandolin which has shorter scale and different tuning. Although there is no label the way it was built suggests Germany. The date would be estimated between 1920's-40's.
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Instrument dimensions:
- total length 57cm - body width 13cm
- from 0 fret to 12th fret 166mm (total scale length 332mm)
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Neck width at 0 fret is 29.2mm, at 9th fret 37.6mm
Piccolo Mandolin
Germany
A genuine Piccolo Mandolin which is the smallest one in mandolin family with total length of 50cm, body width of 15.5cm and scale of 247mm (123.5mm from nut to 12th fret), tuned to CGDA an octave above a Mandola (or like mandolin with a capo on 5th fret).
Mandolin is in it's original antique condition and is being sold as a collectable only. Due to high action it is not very playable and it is not recommended to fully tune it at all as it may damage the instrument. As it's unlikely that body would be able to handle full tension even when fully restored I decided to keep it in it's aged state, only cleaning it just of ordinary dirt.
Mandolin is made of all solid woods, a spruce soundboard with pretty marquetry inlaid pick-guard and decorative binding. Bowl is made of 17 maple ribs stained orange-brown and finished with nitro cellulose lacquer. Neck and head are made of maple painted black, fretboard is made of rosewood with mother of pearl inlay and 17 brass frets.
It's been made in Germany, possibly around 1910-20's, there was a stamp on a soundboard however it's too worn to be legible.