Porrazzo
According to vintage guitar dealer Matt Umanov, David B. Porrazzo was born in Tufo, Italy (near Naples). After coming to America, he worked at a mandolin shop in the Bronx, New York. He later opened his own shop in the Bronx, then went to work for the Majestic Banjo Co. in New York where he eventually became 50 per cent owner. The company was later dissolved and Porrazzo moved to East Boston, Massachusetts. He bought a home in Medford and opened a high-end mandolin and string instrument shop on Main Street there.
Porrazzo L-5 style archtop
The printed label inside this guitar reads: “David B. Porrazzo, manufacturer of high-grade mandolins, mandolas & guitars. Repairing a specialty, New York.”
Hand-written on the upper left corner of the label is “May 1935”. On the lower left is written “No. 10” and on the lower right “Medford Mass”. It is signed in script and has “No. 10” written by hand, directly on the wood on the inside back.
Images above courtesy of Matt Umanov Guitars
This Porrazzo L-5 Style Archtop has been restored. The picture below shows the interior of the guitar with the back removed.
Below is the guitar once restoration has been finished
Images of this restoration courtesy of Tony Marcus
Porrazzo Super 400 style guitar
This Super 400 style 18-inch archtop was made in Medford, Massachusetts. It has an X-braced, carved spruce top, carved solid figured maple back and sides, an ebony fingerboard with Super 400 style inlays and seven-ply body binding.
Images courtesy of Lark Street Music