Vintage Kay Concert Bass Viola. As far as I can tell, it's dated between '37 and '41 (ser# 809?-see photo). Spruce top with Maple back and sides (check out the flame). Ebony fingerboard. Plays and sounds amazing. Back...

It is known that John D’Angelico, the most revered maker of carved-top guitars ever to have lived, started out by learning to make mandolins from his uncle, Raphael Ciani, here in the Little Italy neighborhood of New...