Giacomel J5 Mandolin

Corrado Giacomel is a world class mandolin luthier and builds his unique mandolins in Genoa, Italy. It seems appropriate that such an avant garde design should come from the birthplace of the mandolin. (Picasso would have probably loved it).

Giacomel mandolins stand apart from all others in their appearance and their sound. A Giacomel J5, with it’s angular F-5 scroll  is unique and is a bold departure from the Holy Grail F-5 pattern that now is considered  the Stradivari of the modern mandolin. Great mandolins have many refinements that just cannot be produced without hands on from start to finish of the build. The top and back are hand carved and so tuned to resonate differently just as with grand master violins. They both serve a different purpose in producing tone and volume. Modern machining cannot make separate and precise decisions on every different piece of timber as the instrument is being made.

Luthiers from all over the world now work to produce the legendary model that Gibson draftsman Lloyd Loar designed in the early 1920’s. Stephen Gilchrist being one of the most recognised.

Corrado Giacomel has dared to do the unthinkable and go his own way.

World acclaimed mandolin master David Grisman recognised how magnificent Corrado’s mandolins are and used one on his recordings and in live performances.

Giacomel did permit Eastman mandolins to build a look alike version but like all world class luthiers he didn’t give all of his secrets away.

Top: spruce
Back: curly maple
Neck: curly maple
Fingerboard: ebony
Scale length: 13,93”

The Bold Vision of Luthier Corrado Giacomel