Improvements in Mandolines and like Musical Instruments.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 13th June, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mandolines and like Musical Instruments.
We, NICOLA CALACE, and RAFFAELE CALACE, trading together as Fratelli
Calace, at 5 and 6 Via Quercia, Naples, in the Kingdom of Italy, Musical
Instrument Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
Our invention relates to improvements in that type of stringed musical instru-
ments hitherto known as mandolines, the objects of which are, Firstly-To provide
means for improving the sweetness and softness of the tone, and increasing the
volume of sound. Secondly-To provide greater facilities for the operator in
manipulating the movements of the hand from the highest to the lowest fret of the
key board, and Thirdly-To add to the general appearance and beauty of the
jnstrument.
In the accompanying drawings Figs. 1 and 2 are front and sido elevations
respectively of an improved mandoline according to our invention, which are to be
read with, and as forming part of the following specification, from the first of
which said views it will be seen that our improved mandoline, in general appear-
ance, reminds the observer of the ancient lyre, by reason of which it is our
intention that the same shall be commercially known as the "mandolyra."
In carrying our invention into effect we construct the body or resouant box of
the instrument of any material suitable for the purpose, but preferably, with its
front or face A of the best pine or other light colored wood, while its bowed or
bellied back B may be of the same or any desired combination of woods, of the
same or different colors, or any desired combination of wood and other suitable
material. The front A is approximately flat or slightly convex transversally, and
is provided with a preferably elliptical sound opening C, the usual and necessary
shield D for guarding the suund table from wear by the friction of the plectrum,
and suitable sounding posts where necessary.
The sides of the body A B instead of converging into or towards the finger
board as hitherto, are continued upwardly and formed into, or have attached
thereto, hollow wings or tubular extensions E and F, of any desired length, shape
or configuration, both being in communication with the hollow interior of the body,
and form passages for the exit of a portion of the sound waves generated therein,
and are connected or joined at or near their upper ends by a curved or fancy shaped
metallic or other strengthening rod or brace G. The upper extremities of E
and F may each be crowned by a fancy metallic, wood or other cap such as H,
suitable openings or apertures J being formed in each side of E and F, below their
caps, for the emission of sound.
A suitable solid or hollow wood or metal neck or finger board K is connected to
the body midway between E aud F, to the back of which may be connected the
rod or brace G, the said neck or key board being provided upon its face with the
necessary number of suitably disposed frets or note forming ridges L, the upper of
which is provided with eight soll notches or niches for holding the eight
strings M parallel with each other before diverging for attachment to the tuning
keys N, in the head O, the latter in cross section being preferably pyramidal upon
its back surface for preventing the strings from touching each other. A suitable
string-bridge P, and plate R for the attachment of the lower ends of these to the
body A B completes the instrument.
The wing E in addition to its use as a means for extending, softening and
improving the sound in collaboration with the wing F, also serves as a means for

page_text: resting the instrument against the breast of the operator, whether standing or
sitting, thus steadying the instrument and permitting greater freedom of the
movements of the hand along the key board from the lowest to the highest of the
frets L.
We do not confine ourselves to any particular dimensions of the several parts of
our improved mandulyra, but may vary these as may be desired according to the
tone, size, and other considerations in the manufacture of the instrument.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is.
1st. In an improved maudoline or like musical instrument, the manner of con-
structing the body A B with prolongations or added extensions or hollow
wings E, F, connected together by a rod or brace G, in fixed contact with a solid
or hollow metallic or wood key board or neck K, substantially as herein described
and shewn by the drawings.
2nd. In an improved mandoline or like musical instrument the combination of a
body A B, having hollow wings or extensions E, F, connected by a rod or brace G
to each other and the finger board or neck K, the latter having suitable frets L,
and head of convex form upon its back surface, carrying tuning keye N, the
whole connected and operating substantially as and for the purposes herein described
and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 27th day of April 1896.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1 Broad Street Buildings, Loudon, E.C., Agent for the Applicants.