Ledzendrix1128 Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 (edited) I recently visited my grandpa who is about to move, and i saw an old roundback mandolin on the shelf, i took it home with me, and i researched the name L. Ricca (which i found looking through the soundhole). Turns out hes an old builder who stopped making mandolins in 1898... Its just an awesome feeling knowing that i have an instrument (in remarkably decent condition) thats over a century old... Ill put some pics up tomorow of what i need to do to repair it, and ill probably try to get some info on repairing cracked tops from the acoustics sections of the forum but in the meantime, does anyone know if its possible for me to find exactly how old this thing is... it has a Seriel number, but i dont know where to start in finding out who to talk to about this mandolin, there isnt very much on Luigi Ricca on the web from a quick google search, but maybe i can dig a little deeper and pull up something. Edited July 15, 2006 by Ledzendrix1128 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helge Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 i would keep it the way it is. maybe clean it up a little and then put in a display case. the cracked top is part of this instruments history. would love to see some pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Sorbera Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 i would keep it the way it is. maybe clean it up a little and then put in a display case. the cracked top is part of this instruments history. would love to see some pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ledzendrix1128 Posted July 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 (edited) http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i10/ledz...28/cc7ab1bc.jpg http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i10/ledz...28/1544f4fb.jpg http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i10/ledz...28/32c91d87.jpg http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i10/ledz...28/880c5ca5.jpg http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i10/ledz...28/3586df30.jpg http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i10/ledz...28/DSCF0239.jpg Yeah, part of me wants to get it playable again though, im a firm believer in "an instrument is meant to be played." But also, I think I may have to repair the crack anyway, cuz if i put the strings on when i put it on display in a case, wont the force down on the top cause the crack to get bigger? P.S. - these pictures are after I cleaned it a little, its hard to see the crack, but its there. Those white inlay dots were barely visible there was so much finger oil on them. oh yeah! and mickgaurd! the pickgaurd is pealing up a little bit in the corners!! !what do i do! Edited July 15, 2006 by Ledzendrix1128 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 That looks in great condition for its age, the old ones i usually see have the ribs on the back caved in or missing. There is lots over at the mimf site in their archived library on repairing splits in tops. If you post pics of it in their repair section i am sure you will get some good advice. I dont think that mando is ready for retirement yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myka Guitars Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 I would reapir it and play it. I don't know of any builder who actually prefers their instruments in a case or in disrepair. Do the instrument justice and maintain it so that it can play music again. Can you imagine anyone leaving a Stradivarius unplayed? They certainly would not be as collectable if they were all left broken. Here's a goo article from Frank Ford: simple top crack repair. You can see more articles here: Frets.com lutheir page. Scroll down for repair articles. Do the repair and get another 100 years out of it. That would honor the instrument much more. Just my $0.02. ~David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 If you post pics of it in their repair section i am sure you will get some good advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ledzendrix1128 Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 Thanks for all the advice guys, i was leaning towards the repair it and play it again option too, and ill definately read through mimf, and check out those links myka sent me. Thanks again! - Louis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsilver Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 Do the repair and get another 100 years out of it. That would honor the instrument much more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ledzendrix1128 Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 I saw one that was very similar on ebay sell for like 40 dollars, but you cant really trust that. This is more of a sentimental thing, it was my grandfather's grandmother's mandolin supposedly, so its been through quite a few generations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Garber Posted May 27, 2007 Report Share Posted May 27, 2007 I have two Ricca mandolins in almost playable condition (as well as a pile of other bowlbacks). Just wondering if by now you have restored the one you have. I have a Ricca catalog scanned here: http://www.paperclipdesign.com/19ctunes/catalogs.htm I also have a mandolin method book written and published by Luigi Ricca from about the same time. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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