Guitar identification - any ideas?

[Bilbo]

Very odd Sicillian (we believe) 9 string Harp Guitar. Does anyone recognise the maker? We think it may be from the 1960s? 

[pete.young]

Interesting find. I think it's older than '60s, it looks more like turn of the century - 1920's.

[Bilbo]

Could be, Pete. We are only guessing.

[oldslapper]

Looks like an early Marco Di Philippi

[KK Jale]

Any connection I wonder...

 

https://www.londonmandolinensemble.org.uk/blog/carmelo-catania-luthier-1908-1970

 

Edited May 9, 2022 by KK Jale

[Downunderwonder]

Who was S. Cadorina?

[yorks5stringer]

3 minutes ago, Downunderwonder said:

Who was S. Cadorina?

Music shop in Catania? Fun fact, I've been to Catania twice...

[upside downer]

As @KK Jale pointed out, it looks like the work of Carmelo Catania. Here's a Catania mandolin with the same distinctive 'harp' logo.

 

 

This fella Gregg Miner seems to know his onions. Might be worth contacting him?

 

https://www.harpguitars.net/2013/04/14/carmelo-catania-from-iconography-to-reality/

 

https://www.harpguitars.net/

 

 

[Dom in Dorset]

Would it be good for metal?

[Beer of the Bass]

Though it's obviously not a mandolin, there are a few people on the Mandolin Cafe forum who have some knowledge of the various Catania makers, so they might have some insights.

And regarding the inlay, apparently many of the inlay designs used on these instruments were stock items from an inlay supplier's trade catalogue, so the same inlay as another instrument might only indicate the same inlay supplier rather than the same luthier.

[Bilbo]

13 hours ago, upside downer said:

 

 

https://www.harpguitars.net/2013/04/14/carmelo-catania-from-iconography-to-reality/

 

https://www.harpguitars.net/

 

 

Have emailed Gregg. Many thanks. I know BC would deliver!!

[pete.young]

16 hours ago, Downunderwonder said:

Who was S. Cadorina?

Cadorina or Castorina ?

 

I think the latter, and there is a mandolin maker Castorina Ruggieri also from Catania.

[Bilbo]

Reply from GM - 'Very cool! Fetish Guitars is the place to go poking around. You’ll find that this harp guitar (which I read as S. Castorina) is a variation on their 1957 jazz “model 22 cello guitar.” I read his address as Via Biscari, 7, which it’s not Carmelo’s. I see that others built this same basic design (and there were DOZENS of Sicilians building, sharing & copying from each other). What’s unusual here is that is a super late harp guitar (I’d say late ‘50s). Though American harp guitars died out quickly through the 30s, Italians (in most locales) kept at it a good decade longer, but this is really an anachronism. An “old” harp guitar with a thoroughly modern body/design. Probably a custom order – would love to know the player’s story! 

 

Best, g Gregg Miner President, The Harp Guitar Foundation Board of Governors, American Musical Instrument Society

 

Have passed this on to the owner.

[nilorius]

23 hours ago, Bilbo said:

Reply from GM - 'Very cool! Fetish Guitars is the place to go poking around. You’ll find that this harp guitar (which I read as S. Castorina) is a variation on their 1957 jazz “model 22 cello guitar.” I read his address as Via Biscari, 7, which it’s not Carmelo’s. I see that others built this same basic design (and there were DOZENS of Sicilians building, sharing & copying from each other). What’s unusual here is that is a super late harp guitar (I’d say late ‘50s). Though American harp guitars died out quickly through the 30s, Italians (in most locales) kept at it a good decade longer, but this is really an anachronism. An “old” harp guitar with a thoroughly modern body/design. Probably a custom order – would love to know the player’s story! 

 

Best, g Gregg Miner President, The Harp Guitar Foundation Board of Governors, American Musical Instrument Society

 

Have passed this on to the owner.

Cool!!!!