Suzuki No. 228 Bowl-Back Mandolin, Japan, 1972, with Hard Case Item Description: A Japanese Suzuki No. 228 mandolin dated 1972, with eight strings arranged in four pairs. The interior label reads “SUZUKI VIOLIN CO., LTD. – NAGOYA JAPAN” and bears the model number and year. The rounded bowl back is constructed from narrow wooden ribs separated by dark lines, creating a striped pattern that follows the curved body. The amber-coloured soundboard features a circular soundhole with a geometric rosette, decorative edging and an asymmetrical pickguard with contrasting wood grain. A curved black armrest with a small bird motif accents the lower edge. The fretted fingerboard has circular position markers, while the headstock is fitted with eight geared tuners with cream-coloured buttons. Included are a Suzuki-branded hard case with green plush lining, one tuning fork and two picks. Condition: The eight strings currently fitted are relatively clean. Maker: Suzuki Violin Co., Ltd., Japan. Founded by Masakichi Suzuki in Nagoya in 1887, the company developed from violin making into the production of other stringed instruments. It began manufacturing and selling mandolins in 1906, giving this instrument a place within a long-established Japanese instrument-making tradition. Size & Weight: Instrument: 63 × 21 × 16 cm Instrument weight: 608 g Total weight with hard case: 1.9 kg Keyword for search: Plucked strings / Folk music / Classical music / Japanese musical heritage NOITICE The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by DHL or FedEx, depending on the situation. It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping. I appreciate your cooperation.