DescriptionSoundboard of spruce, bookmatched, but set off centre, the joint on the treble side, approximately 13mm from the true centreline. Decorative raised mustachio decoration to the sides and below the bridge (which is made of black stained wood, probably maple). Soundhole 77mm diameter, bevelled at edge. Soundboard unvarnished, but has been sealed. Purfling around edge consists of ivory at the corners, with a central section of mother-of-pearl inlaid into brown mastic, with ivory and wood strips on either side. The same central pattern repeats around the soundhole and the top of the bridge, and continues along the edges of the fingerboard.
Rectangular tie bridge, 82mm long, 16mm wide at base, black stained wood. The bridge has separated from the soundboard in the past and been reglued, slightly forward of its original position. Not perfectly glued down at present.
The back and sides are of figured maple, with ebony and ivory purfling at the edges. The purfling at the top of the sides consists of a wide ebony strip (c. 4.5mm), with the ivory corner purfling above it and 1.5mm - 2mm ivory and ebony strips below it. The purfling between the sides and back of the instrument consists of alternate ivory and ebonised mastic strips, set diagonally. This work has been poorly carried out, the ivory strips being noticeably different widths in places.
The maple on the back is of one piece, with a strong figure running up towards the left. The sides have a matching intensity of figure, but are not bookmatched at all. Back and sides varnished a red/brown colour.
Endpin in bottom of ebony with a protruding ivory dot. Ivory strap button at the top of the back near the heel.
The heel and neck are veneered in ebony and ivory. The heel and neck join with a sharp line. V-joint between the head and neck, the head of black stained maple with ebony veneer on the front and rear, the rear decorated with four ivory lines, the front continuing the mother-of-pearl and mastic decoration around the edges. Six pegs of ebony with ivory dots inlaid in the end.
Fingerboard of ebony, with a strong camber over the full width. The camber reduces up the neck to be nearly flat where the neck joins the body. The fingerboard extends onto the body, and is let into the soundboard, with decorative ivory and ebony strips surrounding it. 19 metal frets, the top four of reduced length. Neck width 42mm at nut, 55mm at body join.
Overall size: 921
Body length: 451
Body width, upper bouts: 211
Body width, wasit: 156
Body width, lower bouts: 272
Body depth: 84.5 (bottom) - 66.6 (heel)
String length: 606
Inlaid mastic monogram on soundboard, with initials "SIF" (?).
Repair History: Several repaired cracks in the soundboard. The bridge has been reglued, in slightly the wrong place. Crack in the back near the heel. |