I won’t deny it. I have coveted the Lyon & Healy mandocello since first seeing one while playing in a L’Esperance Mandolin Ensemble concert some years ago. There is something so utterly majestic about the sound of the L&H that simply surpasses the equivalent Gibsons.
I missed out on one at Bernuzio’s earlier this year (#2 in line) but fate had more intricate plans.
I found this one in a shop in California, clearly mis-labled as a Mandola. The asking price was half that of the Bernuzio’s instrument, so naturally I had to look more closely.
This mandocello has had a bit of a hard life. Included in the case was an index card detailing the extensive repairs it has undergone. In essence, all of the hardware has been replaced: the pickguard, the headstock plate, the posts and tuners, the fingerboard, the frets, and most sadly the ornate tailpiece (inexplicably replaced with a floating guitar tailpiece with only 6 holes!).
Additionally the back and sides were stripped (not so greatly) of stain and returned to an ‘original’ finish. There was definitely a headstock crack or separation since there appear to be two dowels inserted for stability. There is also a hole in the headstock, clearly drilled, but for unknown purpose.
Even with all that. The top, back and sides are crack free. And it sounds like a million bucks.
I made the choice to have it restored as closely to original as possible, and the eminent Max Girouard has agreed to take it on.
OHC in very good condition. No label, visible SN.
FON: 532 (stamped on the inside of the treble side)
Pre Restoration
Post Restoration
Max and Lauri did an amazing job matching the stain of the back and sides. A little sealer and some days of French polishing and it is good to go. Oh, and an original tailpiece has been acquired.
