Pasquale Vinaccia Mandolin from 1883

Pasquale Vinaccia, born on July 20, 1806, in Naples and died around 1884, was one of the leading figures in 19th-century Italian instrument making.

Coming from a prestigious line of Neapolitan luthiers active since the 17th century, he played a decisive role in the evolution of the mandolin, which he helped transform into a modern instrument with richer and more powerful sounds.

The son of Gaetano Vinaccia (1759–c. 1831), a renowned luthier, Pasquale grew up in a vibrant artistic and musical environment.

The Vinaccia family, based in Naples, particularly in the Rua Catalana, specialized in the manufacture of plucked and bowed string instruments: mandolins, guitars, violins, and cellos.

One of his ancestors, Gaetano I Vinaccia, is even considered the inventor of the Neapolitan mandolin, of which he is said to have made a prototype in 1744.

It was therefore only natural that Pasquale inherited this expertise, which he would bring to its peak.

In 1835, driven by a spirit of innovation, Pasquale Vinaccia set out to modernize the mandolin, which until then had been limited in its expressive capabilities.

He introduced several decisive technical changes:

• he replaced the gut or brass strings with high-tension steel strings, producing a clearer and more powerful sound;
• he extended the fingerboard to 17 frets to widen the range;
• he adopted gear-driven tuning machines instead of traditional pegs, improving tuning accuracy;
• he reinforced the soundboard by deepening it, which considerably enriched the sound projection.

Thanks to these innovations, the mandolin acquired a new acoustic and technical dimension, laying the foundations for the modern Neapolitan mandolin.

Pasquale's talent did not go unnoticed: he was appointed official luthier to Queen Margherita of Savoy, a prestigious recognition that confirmed the excellence of his work.

After his death, his sons Gennaro (1832–1908) and Achille (1836–1920) continued the family business under their two names, then under the name Fratelli Vinaccia, perpetuating the tradition of high standards and quality that made the company famous.

Pasquale's influence extended beyond the realm of craftsmanship: he was also the maternal grandfather of composer and mandolinist Carlo Munier (1859–1911), who was orphaned at a very young age and taken in by the Vinaccia family.

It was in this conducive environment that he received his first music lessons.

Having become one of the great masters of the classical mandolin, Carlo paid tribute to his grandfather and uncle in several of his works, helping to raise the profile of the instrument beyond its popular origins.

Even today, Vinaccia instruments are sought after for their sound quality, fine craftsmanship, and historical value, which this sumptuous mandolin is no exception.

The culmination of decades of research into improving and developing the mandolin, this instrument, made in 1883 (one year before his death), is undeniably marked by the lasting legacy of Pasquale Vinaccia, whose contribution marked a turning point in the history of Italian instrument making, and the mandolin in particular!

Technical characteristics:

• Top: Spruce
• Back: Curly maple 21 ribs
• Neck: Beech veneered with rosewood
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Nut width: 30 mm
• Radius: Flat
• Frets: 17 frets
• Scale length: 330 mm
• Profile: Neapolitan
• Pickguard: Tortoiseshell
• Country of manufacture: Italy, Naples
• Year: 1883
• Finish: Natural
• Decorations: Binding around the top and rosette / White mother-of-pearl dot inlays on the fingerboard / Rosette inlaid with white mother-of-pearl half-moons
• Details: Excellent condition and playability

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

This makes it extremely comfortable to play.

This mandolin captivates with its clear, powerful, and deeply expressive sound. Its luminous tone, enriched with round basses and crystalline trebles, offers remarkable sonic balance. Thanks to an ingeniously designed soundboard, each note resonates with warmth, fullness, and precision, giving the music a noble and refined presence.

A luthier's instrument par excellence, it enhances every melody with a unique sonic elegance, expressive warmth, and lively dynamics that instantly captivate both the musician playing it and the enthusiast listening to it!