Mandolin Oddities

[JEStanek]

Euclidians from a parallelgram universe.

Jim, do those trapezoid mandos share any relationship with Russian balalaikas?

Jamie

[Jim Garber]

No I think they were just cheapos sold by the dozen to various wholesalers. just a way to make the equjiv of a cigar box instrument.

Jim

[MikeEdgerton]

I've actually got a cigar box I've been holding onto for years looking for the right mandolin neck.

[Jim Garber]

I've actually got a cigar box I've been holding onto for years looking for the right mandolin neck.
Soeaking of which, I just go this in a email from Elderly (http://elderly.com/search/elderly?terms=cigar+box&x=0&y=0).

Jim

[MikeEdgerton]

I found a cigar box uke from the 30's many years ago in a second hand store in Oregon. It's in the Cigar Box Guitar Museum in York, PA if it's still open. Fun stuff.

[Martin Jonas]

Here is one from this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250119087168) Ebay auction. Looks a reasonable enough, if slightly off, F-style at first glance, until you realise it has nine strings in five courses, and (unlike, say, on a waldzither) the single string is in the middle, i.e. the string configuration is 2-2-1-2-2. Any guesses as to how this was meant to be tuned, or why?

Ozark is the house brand of Stentor Music, the biggest wholesaler in the UK, so this would appear to be an Asian instrument that they were contemplating distributing to music shops.

Martin

[Jim MacDaniel]

Uh, wouldn't the 10-string neck <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC-8-AND-10-STRING-NECK-MANDOLIN_W0QQitemZ190145264939QQihZ009QQcategor

yZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">on this</a>, make the 8-string neck superfluous?... #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Bill Snyder]

Uh, wouldn't the 10 string neck on this make the 8-string neck redundant?... #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
I guess you could use a different tuning on each neck. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[james condino]

I'm not sure how I missed the previous 11 pages of this post, but I've got to say that it is one of my favorites. Special thanks to Mandopete for adding my green "cricket" mandolin to the list.

I'll add the following images of a nicely hand engraved early 1890s Merril aluminum bowlback mandolin (and Springer violin). You can read all about them in the spring issue of American Lutherie.
__
j.
www.condino.com

[james condino]

Here is the top profile....

[JEStanek]

Those are great photos of those aluminum instruments. I love the look of the fiddle in the second photos.

Jamie

[james condino]

Jamie:
'Glad you enjoyed the photos. If the fiddle stands out to you, you should see my aluminum standup bass from the same era!
_
j.
www.condino.com

[JEStanek]

Gawd! Talk about making a galvanized washtub bass feel inadequate. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Jamie

[james condino]

More not so heavy metal can be seen on my website...

j.
www.condino.com

[Jim Garber]

Monster 16 string mandolin (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160161648813).

[Sonomabob]

Not so strange. But I have never heard of any other one. #002 from Arron Hammond, Fairfield Ohio.

My apologies if these photos don't work.

Bob

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[Sonomabob]

Oh well, I will have to try another way.

Bob

[mrmando]

Try this (http://www.slide.com/r/KHBSqpKbvz_mNa7DJHW4w3wCYencNGAx?view=large). The headstock's a little funny, but I wouldn't call this mandolin exceedingly odd.

[Sonomabob]

Hey Angry young Mando:

How did you do that?? Thanks. Its only odd because I have never seen another one. I would like talk to anyone else who has one.

Bob

[markishandsome]

Well there must be at least a #001, but there's a good chance Mr Hammond held onto it. You could try posting in the "Looking for Info" section.

[croonerexpress]

the dingulator


http://charlesmartinsimon.com/ding1.gif

[Jim Garber]

the dingulator


http://charlesmartinsimon.com/ding1.gif
What is that? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

Oh, wait... I see all about it here (http://charlesmartinsimon.com/CharlieNothing.htm).

I think.....

[MikeEdgerton]

Somebody else posted a link to this guys site a few months ago.

[Neil Gladd]

Siamese Mandotwins (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330172279564&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:2)

[Bill Snyder]

This one can be found at <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Mandolin-hand-made-F-style_W0QQitemZ170158622252QQihZ007QQcategoryZ1017 9QQssPageNameZWDVWQ
QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">this</a> ebay auction for a few more hours.

[Antlurz]

One would hope he has a very narrow thumb if he intends to play very far up that neck.

Maybe a "RESTRICTED ACCESS" sticker on the "scroll" would suffice...

Ron

[jefflester]

Not mandolins, but some very odd guitars.

Ugliest guitars #50 to #30 (http://www.guitarsite.com/news/features/50_ugliest_guitars_of_2007_50_30/)
Ugliest guitars #29 to #10 (http://www.guitarsite.com/news/features/50_ugliest_guitars_of_2007_29_10/)
Ugliest guitars #9 to #1 (http://www.guitarsite.com/news/features/50_ugliest_guitars_of_2007_9_1/)

#40
http://www.guitarsite.com/news/images/ugly07/m33sax.jpg

[Jim Garber]

Must be about time to revive this venerable thread...

Here is a real winner... not sure what the maker was intending but he/she also built a form-fitting case for this one. From a German super collector at http://www.banjoworld.de.

[Jim Garber]

Double-necked tenor(?) / mandolin banjo from the same site.

[mandolooter]

those are cool Jim! Nice to see this thread back in action!

[Jim Garber]

Yes, we will have to come up with a few more weirdo mandolins. I will keep you posted.

[Jim Nollman]

jim,

is that mando with wings one of yours? i almost think the case is weirder than the instrument. I'm curious how it sounds.

[Jim Garber]

Hi Jim:
No, not one of mine. I came across both those oddballs on the site of the German collector linked above. Check out the site. He is more insane than I am BION!!!:))

[Jim Garber]

Ah, yes... yet another mandolin from Bizarroland (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230311939264). Looks like a Lyon & Healy neck on a homemade body.

[Phillip Tigue]

nm...

[Bill Snyder]

Here is a bit of an oddity.
It has a soundhole in the back.

[delsbrother]

That is a tahitian ukulele (aka a tahitian banjo, to cover all the bases, LOL). They're basically solidbodies with a conical soundwell, topped by a softwood disk upon which the bridge is placed. They're also usually strung with neon green fishing line. They're quite fun to play - though very tiring! Nonstop (syncopated) strumming. Sound is kinda bandurria/charango...

[Jim Garber]

Well, I didn't want to post this because I wanted to win it. Since it was won with some backroom bargaining by someone else (anyone here?)...

Anchor mandolin (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260418207223)

[JEStanek]

Wow. I bet it has a deep tone. Deep to the bottom.

[Jim Garber]

What is esp odd are those extra two tuners in the headstock. The bridge only has 8 notches and the tailpiece has 8 pins. Maybe the luthier changed his mind. I did ask the seller how wide the fretboard was at the nut but never heard back.

[Jake Wildwood]

Some good ones in this new batch...

The double neck banjo... oh my I'd hate to tune that thing. Oh my, I'd hate hate hate to tune that. Especially with a skin head on it in humid weather. ;)

[Jim MacDaniel]

Wow. I bet it has a deep tone. Deep to the bottom.


Yeah -- an instrument like that could really anchor a band's sound.

[JEStanek]

Jim, I thought those extra tuners were just there to look way cool. I just re-looked at the frontal photo and am struck by the pick wear on the treble side of the fingerboard. Either someone spent the extra money to have that mando-anchor distressed or it was actually played a lot.

Wow!

Jamie

[mandomania7923]

I love these two

[Bill Snyder]

I love these two

I would hardly call those oddities.

[Jim Garber]

Here is another one for your entertainment:

Tortoise backed mandolin (sorta) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120424432165) actually more of a Tortoise Tamburitza (a turtleritza?)

[journeybear]

Perfect for playing "Turtle Blues" - slowly, ssslllooowwwlllyyy ...;)

[mandomania7923]

I would hardly call those oddities.

They definitely aren't an F5 but i still love 'em(more than an F5)

[Jim Garber]

I downloaded a bunch of Levin-related catalogs from a Swedish site. This was evidently made by the company at the turn of the last century. It would be great to find one of these. You could accompany yourself, if you had a few extra hands.

[tnbluegrasser]

We went to the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, TN this weekend. John Rice Irwin does a great job with this museum and has an interesting exhibit of musical instruments. Here are some of the Mandolins he had on display...

[tnbluegrasser]

Go back to the bottom of Page 12 for the first set. Here are just a few more...

[Jim Garber]

I like the toilet themed instruments. Very nice!! That tradition goes back a long time a does the cigar box one.

[markishandsome]

I like the "Gibson look-alike" label on the Regal. I wonder which Gibson model they thought it looked like.

[Jim Garber]

Here is a good excuse to bump this thread. I love this odd shaped mandolin (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200613696247&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1123). Seller says it has a handwritten name on it. I would go for it tho it looks pretty crude.

[brunello97]

Here is a good excuse to bump this thread. I love this odd shaped mandolin (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200613696247&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1123). Seller says it has a handwritten name on it. I would go for it tho it looks pretty crude.

Quasimodo's mandolin? Bowlback, Boatback, Bulgeback, Humpback. Not very PC, I know.

Mick

[JEStanek]

Looks like a D8 from my old D&D days. If you got that reference you had a +2 on your save vs dorkiness roll.

Jamie

[Jim Garber]

Here's some pics for our future generations.

[Treblemaker]

You can't mention Mandolin Oddities without mentioning Bill Bussman (Old Wave Mandolins).
I have played Juicy (the watermelon mando) and it was, and I am not kidding, one of the best sounding and playing mandolins at a Norcal Mandolin Gathering at David Crumney's Inverness, CA family vacation home. And this was alongside dozens of other mandolins, several of which were 1st tier luthiery....

[Treblemaker]

72724

Whoops - forgot the attachment....

[Treblemaker]

Here's an odd one..... no origin known.72725

[Jim Garber]

Looks like a D8 from my old D&D days. If you got that reference you had a +2 on your save vs dorkiness roll.

Man, Jamie, I haven't a clue what you are talking about... I must really be out of it.

[Jim Garber]

That Cullen oddity is creeping upward in price. I would not be surprised if it goes above $100. I guess there are some people out there who like folky/funky designs.

[JEStanek]

D8 = 8 Sided die (dice) from Dungeons and Dragons role playing game. See, Jim, you're not so (D&D) dorky!

http://www.dicegamers.com/files/imagecache/uc_category/category_8-sided.jpg
Jamie

[Ed Goist]

Man, Jamie, I haven't a clue what you are talking about... I must really be out of it.

Jim, you know! D8...The hit die for a Cleric, or the damage done by a long sword verses man-sized creatures...
(Jamie, what adjustment does that get me on my saving throw vs dorkiness?!) :grin:

[Paul Busman]

Might as well add my own home made oddity:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/Brewerpaul/Mandos.jpg

This is a little 4 string travel mandolin I made, shown with my Fullerton Gloucester for size comparison. I got a bolt-on neck from an electric mandolin maker. I bandsawed the body from a piece of 1" Maple, leaving side walls about 1/4" thick, thicker at the neck and tail ends. The top, back and headstock trim are Purpleheart 1/8" sheet stock.
Acoustically, it's terrible. It doesn't sound like a mandolin at all-- more like a banjo with a really thin sound. However, it's durable as hell--I took it on a trip to China, just wrapping it in clothing in our suitcase and it survived two 13 hr flights and numerous bus trips. It's surprisingly fun to play, and certainly better than having nothing at all to noodle on.

[Ed Goist]

Paul, to be honest, I don't think your travel mando is much of an oddity at all.
I think it's one of the more attractive travel mandolin designs I've seen.
I really like the body shape, the oval hole configuration, and the balance the large paddle-style peghead provides...
Lots to like there!
Nice job.

[JEStanek]

Good job there, Paul.
Ed, you're at least a level 7 Mando-Bard-dork. Well done, +4.

Jamie

[mrmando]

Here's an odd one..... no origin known.72725
It's from Rice Custom Guitars (http://www.ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/098.html) in Illinois. Whatever you do, don't watch the video.

[mrmando]

Terrifying but true: a two-headed beast from Cripple Creek Mandolins...
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1387/5933374/23579709/396662023.jpg

[KristinEliza]

Yep - forget about playing above the 12th fret on that one - guess the rest of the FB is just for decoration?

[Jim Garber]

I got in trouble for saying this a few months ago, but nothing is really new under the sun -- a 1912 Shutt Professional model 3 (from Lowell Levinger):

[brunello97]

Nice looking Shutt, Jim. Those twin scrolls kind of remind me of a double-barrel shotgun blast. ;)

Mick

[JeffD]

While not odd in the sense of an offense to our aesthetic sensibilities, this mandolin has some different features.

I love the rollers at the nut, and the strap button on the back of the peg head. And I have played it, this fellow as a bright sound.

[Jack Roberts]

Here is my oddity. Actually, I am quite proud of this. It was hand made by a music teacher in the 50's who used it to teach music classes at an elementary school in Los Angeles.

730237302473025

[Jim Garber]

Jack, that is wonderful. Was that masking tape inlay original? Does it actually play? (The mandolin, not the tape!)

[Jack Roberts]

Jack, that is wonderful. Was that masking tape inlay original? Does it actually play? (The mandolin, not the tape!)

I play it almost everyday at work. The custom inlay was done recently.

I lament that we seem to have lost the ability to make our own things nowadays. I tried to make my own fiddle and really horsed it up....

[Jim Garber]

I tried to make my own fiddle and really horsed it up....

I love this horse fiddle... nice hat, too.

[Jack Roberts]

Er hu, Brute?

[Jim Garber]

Er hu, Brute?

Here's Liuqin at you, kid.

[Dobe]

Whatever you do, don't watch the video.

You HAD to say that; I almost watched it all just to hear the mando solo :grin:

Can't....look.....away !!! :disbelief:

New screen saver of that flowerpot Gibsun headstock. Someday I'll own one, I can dream.

[Mandoviol]

Looks like a D8 from my old D&D days. If you got that reference you had a +2 on your save vs dorkiness roll.

Jamie

Dang, Jamie, you're right, it is a d8. I think acknowledging this just caused me to lose a few points on my Charisma score, though...

Aw, heck, I'll run with it. Waiting to see one that is icosahedronal (a d20, that is).

[mrmando]

Here's Liuqin at you, kid.
If we pun any morin khuur-ing a fine is the likely result.

[Dobe]

BanjitarDolin, that's my best guess. For all you pickers that need to throw your instrument around your head like Victor Wooten, give it a half twist, and go seamlessly from Banjitar to mando, without the hassle of actually grabbing a different instrument; this one's for you !
Won't let me download pics so go here, pt-2 is the mando side:

http://www.banjoworld.de/Odds1a.htm

Love the Portugese style tuners, I was wondering how that would be done !

[Jim Garber]

Dobe: That is a real winner for this thread.

[mrmando]

Three-pointer, a little Duck-ish but not quite as extreme:
http://www.tomhoelle.com/MandolinCase2.jpg

[Bill Snyder]

Here is a better photo of that mandolin.
http://tevieray.tripod.com//sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/hoelle(fullview).jpg

[Jim Garber]

Hmmmm... sharp points and dull f-holes.

[Jim Garber]

As usual, I was searching for something else and this wonderful mandolin (http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/247996/mandolin-case-giovanni-cera-wood-metal-1946) came up. Built in the 1940s by Giovanni Cera an Italian immigrant to Australia. A combination of Gibson and Mozzani influences.


Mandolin made by Italian migrant Giovanni Cera during the 1930s, with timber from an old bass violin. Giovanni used to visit second-hand furniture depots or music stores to seek out the timber for his instruments. He also built guitars and zithers. Giovanni played this instrument at many special broadcasts for radio stations 3LO and 3AR, and appeared with Peter Piccini, Frank Zaetta, Giovanni's brother Guerino [Rino], Angelo Candela, Domenico Caffaro and Ezio Giannaccini at musicals events staged in town halls, theatres and restaurants from 1945 to 1975.

[JeffD]

That is a real beauty.

[Larry S Sherman]

I love that. I bet Brian Dean (http://www.labraid.ca/) could reproduce that...at least visually. I bet it would sound amazing too.

Larry

[Bill Snyder]

I love that. I bet Brian Dean (http://www.labraid.ca/) could reproduce that...at least visually. I bet it would sound amazing too.

Larry
I suspect that most if not all of the professional f-style builders that post on the Cafe could reproduce that. I would suspect that if Mr. Dean where to do it though that it would reflect some of his own style. He can not be called a copyist.

[Andrew B. Carlson]

I just want more scrolls all the time.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/Hippiesmurf69/2scroll.jpg

I should really try to add a couple points to the bottom too. :grin:

[Jim Garber]

Hey, it has been awhile on this thread. Here is a new on for you oddity-o-philes, currently on eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/150717018606).

I am thoroughly unclear on what the design concept was on this one. Maybe the luthier and friends were gathered at the local drinking hole and one friend got really hammer and said, scribbling on a napkin, "Here... build this." And then another guy said, "and make the soundhole shaped like a leg of lamb, yeah!!!"

[brunello97]

Hey, it has been awhile on this thread. Here is a new on for you oddity-o-philes, currently on eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/150717018606).

I am thoroughly unclear on what the design concept was on this one. Maybe the luthier and friends were gathered at the local drinking hole and one friend got really hammer and said, scribbling on a napkin, "Here... build this." And then another guy said, "and make the soundhole shaped like a leg of lamb, yeah!!!"

I'm definitely seeing some Larson 'traits' on this one, Jim. I think.

Mick

[Tavy]

It's a mandolin Jim, but not as we know it! :)

Quite the ugliest thing I think I've ever seen...

[Jim Garber]

I'm definitely seeing some Larson 'traits' on this one, Jim. I think.

Yes, indeed...

[Jake Wildwood]

Jim, I immediately did NOT press the "watch this item" button on eBay when I saw that for the first time...

As for the soundhole -- does anyone else see a pipe?

[Bob Grieco]

Please forgive me, but it kinda reminds me of:

79632

[journeybear]

Sanctuary! :))

Yes, closer to a pipe than a lamb chop, I suppose. Sort of a paisley with the tail going the wrong way. I think the builder was trying to do about everything differently as possible, and also had some notion of thematic continuity. Certain curves are repeated at different points on the instrument. FWIW, natch. ;)

Have to wonder about the acoustic effect of the two-piece back. I imagine that renders this more furniture than instrument. :(

[Ed Goist]

...snip...As for the soundhole -- does anyone else see a pipe?

I'm thinkin' it's supposed to be a partial profile of The Loch Ness Monster.

79635

[journeybear]

Or a kigmy or a shmoo (tip o' the hat to Al Capp).

And I think the builder might have seen a pipe, or two ... :whistling:

[Jim Garber]

Yes, closer to a pipe than a lamb chop, I suppose. (

Not a lamb chop! A leg of lamb. It does resemble a pipe, for sure.

[Jim Garber]

Or a kigmy or a shmoo (tip o' the hat to Al Capp).

Now you are talking...

[journeybear]

You're quite right - you did say leg of lamb, not lamb chop. I had the shape of a lamb chop in my mind. Not Lamb Chop, mind you. That's a whole 'nother somethin'!

Hmmm ... Suddenly noticed it's getting close to lunchtime ...

[Jim Garber]

Yummmm...

What I also can't figure out is what that piece of clown barf is on the bass side -- looks like there are some plastic pieces on it.

[journeybear]

Yes, that has me puzzled, too. I thought it might be attached to the second back, as it seems to be floating there, but I don't see any screws, as I would expect from the way the back is attached. It could be glued in, though ... and bedazzled ... Interesting color choice, too. :p

[JeffD]

The more I look at that Giovanni Cera (post #338) the more I am really really liking it. You accoustical luthiers would know if it has a chance of sounding good. But I think it looks really cool.

(In this case cool means you would look forward to being seen playing it.)

[Tavy]

The more I look at that Giovanni Cera (post #338) the more I am really really liking it. You accoustical luthiers would know if it has a chance of sounding good. But I think it looks really cool.

I agree - I have a soft spot for harp-guitars/mandolins - and would love to see/play one in person one day.

I can't help wondering though why harp-mandolins only ever seemed to do it for the style, and never added the extra harp strings?

With regard to sound... I can't help thinking that the body-extention would render the body cavity too large, and the Helmholtz too low in frequency, for the instrument to "work". But then again you can probably make any design work if you experiment for long enough ;)

[Jim Garber]

David Newton, who posts here sometimes, has built a few of these. I would love to get one someday.

[Jake Wildwood]

I'm thinkin' it's supposed to be a partial profile of The Loch Ness Monster.

79635

Well, at least we've figured out what this mandolin was titled... :)

[journeybear]

I can't help wondering though why harp-mandolins only ever seemed to do it for the style, and never added the extra harp strings?

I'm puzzled by that, too, in this case. If you're going to add all that, why not include some strings? Does that serve as a resonating chamber? I wonder whether there are any recordings of it.

[Bertram Henze]

I can't help wondering though why harp-mandolins only ever seemed to do it for the style, and never added the extra harp strings?

Many years ago, I had a construct like that which I had built myself, and I can answer that question:
It earns you puzzled looks and questions from the audience, but condescending smiles from other mando players and especially from harp players. It is a bit like running a marathon with a surgically fitted third leg.
As for playing technique, you have to decide if you want to play the mandolin part with a pick or the harp part with your fingers - both cannot be done synchronously unless you are Zaphod Beeblebrox.

If you have to have a combination, try this:


b.t.w. this guy is real - I see him sometimes turn up at our sessions.

[Pipeous]

I am a huge Andy Mckee fan, Don Ross too. Love the sound of harp guitar. So is that called a harp mandolin then?

[journeybear]

No, it's just as the title says - double-neck mandolin-guitar, or however you want to recombine those terms (within reason), though it seems the convention is to name a hybrid instrument with the more unusual instrument's name first. A harp-mandolin would consist of separate set-ups for harp and mandolin on one body. So the Cera really isn't a harp-mandolin, since there are no harp strings. A harp-mandolin would have to be able to function as either and both. That's my line of thinking, anyway.

[journeybear]

- duplicate -

[JeffD]

I'm puzzled by that, too, in this case. If you're going to add all that, why not include some strings? Does that serve as a resonating chamber? I wonder whether there are any recordings of it.


There are (were) some with strings. That was probably the original design.

I have heard Jess Youngquest play his harp mandolin, and it sounds pretty cool in his hands.

[Jim Garber]

A harp-mandolin would have to be able to function as either and both. That's my line of thinking, anyway.

From Gregg Miners site (http://www.harpguitars.net):

For the layperson looking for the short answer of "What is a Harp Guitar?," here it is in a nutshell (from Definition 10 below):

A guitar, in any of its accepted forms, with any number of additional "floating" unstopped strings that can accommodate individual plucking.
The modern harp guitar must have at least one unfretted string lying off the main fretboard; these unfretted strings are played as an open string.
The word "harp" is a specific reference to the unstopped open strings, and is not specifically a reference to the tone, pitch range, volume, silhouette similarity, construction, floor-standing ability, nor any other alleged "harp-like" properties.


Same for the harp-mandolin which has it own page here (http://www.harpguitars.net/history/org/org-related.htm). There do seem to be some older versions that do have harp strings. So I think you use the unfretted strings to complement your melody on the fretted ones. You can certainly pick them or play the fretted ones with your fingers. I would prob do the former.

[Dan Margolis]

http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad188/guitarmando1/PorakoMandolin.jpg

This probably has already been posted, but I'm not looking at 350+ posts to check. It's a Porako--not mine.

[journeybear]

Geez, Dan, that is Picasso-esque! It's as if the bass side had been flipped 180°. Looks like a yin-yang.

Yes, indeed, Jim - the third paragraph from the Gregg Miner quote really nails it - "unstopped open strings," and the long list of unnecessary "harp-like" properties in the disclaimer - very smart going. ;)

Now, that's a harp-mandolin! :mandosmiley: The best way to play it would be with three hands, but, well ...

[Jim Garber]

I recall that Porako... I think it was at Dave Colburn's shop in NH originally. Very cool.

[Bertram Henze]

Now, that's a harp-mandolin! :mandosmiley: The best way to play it would be with three hands, but, well ...

Where do you fix the strap on that? :grin:

[Tavy]

Where do you fix the strap on that? :grin:

I think you put it around your belt and hang yourself from the instrument!

[Randi Gormley]

Well, if it's anything like a real harp, you'd sit in front of it and lean it against your shoulder, which should make it an interesting experiment in finger picks since you'd need to pluck the harp and pick the mando ... aiee!

[jerrymartin]

What's the function of the thingie behind the bridge? Damping harmonics, perhaps?

~o)

Jerry Martin

[Tavy]

What's the function of the thingie behind the bridge? Damping harmonics, perhaps?

Looks like a "string tensioner" similar to one seem on some bowlbacks - it increases the string break angle over the bridge - no doubt since this instrument could have neither an angled neck, nor a canted top it would need something to help the strings bare down on the bridge.

[journeybear]

Just noticed - rather odd neck placement. It joins the body at the tenth fret :disbelief: and even though the neck goes to 16 frets (on the florida), with no cutaway reaching them would be difficult. I don't see why the fretboard wasn't placed a bit further out. :confused: