Sobell Oval Hole Mandolin

New in the shop is this wonderful Sobell Oval Hole Mandolin which was produced in Northumberland, England. It just came back from an expert Luthier in Livingston getting all the work needed to get this mandolin in top playing shape. It is an incredibly resonant instrument.

The Indian Rosewood peghead overlay does not have any inlays or decals. Bone nut. Appears to be replacement gold Schaller tuners with Ebony buttons. Witness lines from old tuners and some small filled holes are present. The Mahogany neck is a strong “V” profile. It has some smalls dings down the center of the neck most likely from someone playing with a ring on their finger. These small dings are not bothersome while playing. The Ebony fingerboard does not have any inlays, but there are ivoroid side dot position markers at the 5th, 7th, and 10th frets.

The Cedar top is as resonant as you could hope for. The top has some dings and scratches from player wear, and two crack repairs on the either side of the oval hole connecting to the fingerboard. Handmade ebony bridge with a bone saddle, and a custom brass tailpiece. The Indian Rosewood back and sides have light signs of player wear. One smaller crack repair on the treble side of the back, and one larger crack repair on the bass side.

This Sobell Oval Hole Mandolin isn’t like your typical bluegrass mandolin, but it has an incredible amount of projection and resonance. Quick, sure attack with good depth. Comes with a hard case.