Mandolin by Gabriele Pandini: 'Isabella'

She's beautiful, she's Italian, and she loves to be noticed! I received her in 2003 from master craftsman Gabriele Pandini, and she has rarely left my side since. Built according to the Neapolitan model best exemplified by the designs of Nicola Calace, dating back to 1825, Isabella differs from the equally popular 'Roman' style of Luigi Embergher and 'German' style of Reinhold Seiffert in that she has 27 frets, 31 fluted ribs in marbled maple, and a top of red fir. And as for her sound? Well, I can only say, "molto bellissimo, e bravo, Maestro Pandini!" Bright and bold, with a complex and versatile tone, she is my instrument of choice for historical or intimate chamber settings. For more images of Isabella, try this Flickr slideshow of pictures taken by esteemed photographer Sam Liu.