Concert Mandolin Flat-Back Emanuele Egildo N°840 from 1927

Egildo Emanuele (1866-1955), an Italian luthier, is often presented as a disciple of Luigi Embergher.

However, unlike his presumed master, he spent most of his career in France from the beginning of the 20th century, except for a probable period of apprenticeship in Rome.

Between 1899 and the end of the 1940s, Emanuele demonstrated a perfect mastery of the instruments and concepts developed by Embergher.

While he was clearly inspired by him, he did not simply reproduce his work: he developed his own personal approach.

This philosophy earned him the nickname, quite rightly, of “the French Embergher.”

Favoring a more targeted production, he combined craftsmanship and cost control, focusing his efforts on a more limited range of instruments.

His creations, mainly mandolins, but also bandurrias and guitars, are distinguished by their strong personality.

Emanuele sought to offer sound quality comparable to, or even superior to, that of Embergher, but at a more affordable price.

To achieve this, he simplifies the ornamentation and finishes, which are often more understated, while selecting higher quality woods for his intermediate models.

He even goes so far as to produce flat-backed mandolins of remarkable quality and sound.

The mandolin presented here, dated 1927 and bearing the number 840, perfectly embodies his expertise in flat mandolins.

Entirely original and signed on the inside with a label as well as his brand mark, it is a remarkable intermediate model.

It features reinforcements, an ebony protective plate, a compensated ebony bridge, and a very fine spruce top.

The sound of this instrument is impressive for its power and richness, both in the low and high registers.

It is further amplified by a hollow fingerboard, patented by Giovanni Battista Maldura in 1884, an innovation that Luigi Embergher himself adopted.

This exceptional flat concert mandolin, numbered 840 and made by Egildo Emanuele in 1927, is now available for sale.

Perfectly preserved and extremely comfortable to play, it stands out for its remarkable sound, which will appeal to both demanding musicians and passionate collectors.

Technical characteristics:

• Top: Spruce
• Back: 2-piece maple
• Sides: Maple
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Nut width: 27 mm
• Radius: Sloped toward the treble
• Frets: 24 frets (+1 zero fret)
• Scale length: 340 mm
• Profile: Roman (V)
• Pickguard: Ebony
• Country of manufacture: Italy/France
• Year: 1927
• Finish: Natural
• Decorations: Filigree around the fingerboard and soundhole / Fingerboard markers inlaid with stylized diamonds in white mother-of-pearl
• Details: Repair on the right side of the headstock / Heel well glued / Signs of normal use and wear given its age / Very good condition

Like all our instruments, this mandolin has been carefully restored and adjusted.

As a result, it is extremely comfortable to play.

This mandolin is distinguished by its clear, sharp, and percussive sound, with a clean attack, good sustain, and beautiful resonance. Its typical tone, both incisive and articulate, makes it ideal for both solo playing with bright melodies and rhythmic playing. Its immediate response, lively dynamics, and projection make it an instrument of formidable expressive power!