Description
Up for sale is this vintage 1920s Kunishima bowl-back mandolin. It is a beautiful example of Japanese mandolins from this time period. It is somewhat of a combination Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. This is an early Kunishima model (model no. 4) and the original label inside appears to be hand-signed.
In 1924, the famous Italian mandolin player and maker named Raffaele Calace came to Japan and personally taught a few of the early Japanese mandolin makers. I am not sure if Kunishima was one of them, but he has made copies of Calace mandolins in the 1930s.
This mandolin does look reminiscent of Italian mandolins from the early 20th century with its beautiful inlaid, symmetrical design, beautiful wood selection and the high number of ribs along the bowl back. The wood on the back just below the top board and above the ribs is absolutely beautiful. It has almost an iridescent / reflective quality.
Kunishima’s other mandolins from the 1920s are typically not this ornate and decorated. They are much simpler in design.
The mandolin features:
- 24 fret neck.
- Abolone dot inlays
- Mother-of-pearl inlaid sound hole.
- Raised relief bottom bout.
- A 22-rib bowl back.
- Original Kunishima label inside.
Overall, the mandolin is in good condition with minor wear on the top and along it’s edges. There is some minor wear along the top edge. There is a very minor crack to the left of the fingerboard on the top board. The head / peg board has two holes as seen in the pictures, and it appears that someone may have put a string holder there and later took it off. The overall length of the mandolin is 24″
Free shipping in the lower 48 United States. Other shipping is available to Hawaii and Alaska. International shipping is available too. Please message me with any questions! The stand in pictures is not included.
Return Policy
Overview
Our refund and returns policy lasts 14 days. If 14 days have passed since your purchase, we can’t offer you a full refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it and it must be returned within 14 days of your purchase. It must also be in the original packaging.
To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase.
Please do not send your purchase back to the manufacturer.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted:
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error.
- Any item that is returned more than 14 days after delivery
Refunds
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.
If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a certain amount of days. There will be a 3% return fee deducted from the original amount. For example, if the purchase price was $100, you will receive $97.
Late or missing refunds
If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again.
Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted.
Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted.
If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us.
Sale items
Only regular priced items may be refunded. Sale items cannot be refunded.
Exchanges
Exchanges are not offered on returns.
Shipping returns
To return your product, you should mail your product to the address on your product box, or contact us for a return address.
You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable.
Shipping insurance must be obtained on returned items. You may want to consider using a service that offers shipment tracking.
We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
Need help?
Contact us for questions related to refunds and returns.
Shipping Info (Free Shipping)
FREE SHIPPING IS AVAILABLE ON THIS ITEM.
All sold guitars are handled and shipped within 2 days of purchase. For most deliveries in the United States, we use UPS.
Packing process:
- Guitar is inspected
- Strings loosened
- Neck and head wrapped and supported
- Body wrapped and supported
- Inserted into guitar case (if sold with guitar)
- Inserted into box
- Taped/sealed
- UPS pickup
