Lucien Gelas Mandola

Lucien Gelas

Lucien Gelas was in fact the inventor of the two piece soundboard

on mandolins, mandola's, guitars and Hawaian guitars. A beautiful

collection of 5 instruments of the mandolin family (flatbacks and

bowlback examples) have been auctioned at Bonhams in the

past. It was valued around 3500 BP. This is a Mandola made by

Gaudet, the first instrument maker who was licensed to produce

these Gelas instruments. Around 1920 Rovies took over the

production though I'm not sure wether this is true. 

A flat back mandola made by Gaudet must be quite rare.

On the other hand, this invention has been produced in different

qualities and by different makers so we have to be careful.

A beautiful two piece figured maple back with a small repaired

crack in it but of no influence to my opinion.

The well known brand stamped signature allways on these
instruments. It would be interesting if a general valuation
could be made from instruments of the various makers.
The snakewood inlay at the edges is quite common on the
earlier instruments. For both the bridge and the fingerboard
ebony has been used.

Quite strange is this head as nearly all Gelas mandolins and

mandolas share the same headform. This one surely is

rare and it resembles some of the Adamo mandolins

that have been produced in Mirecourt.

The label which mentions Gaudet as the maker apparently 

shows the Gelas signature and furthermore No. 417 and the year 

of  production 1922 which is remarkable as most literature

states Gaudet to be active untill 1920.

  

As more than often happens, the bridge has been pulled of,

partly because of the construction but most likely because

too heavy strings were used on this instrument.

As most parts of the detoriated bridge were still there

I was able to copy the bridge out of first class ebony

but I have to make some final adjustments still regarding

string height.

Not all the strings have been mounted yet due to some

last adjustments to be executed. The frets have been dressed 

and some have been renewed. The fingerboard needed a good

cleaning and the tuners had to be put back in working order.

A small crack in the back has been glued together and after

some hours work this instrument can be considered to be

in pristine condition again.