"Matchstick" Mandolin

[Dolamon]

This (http://www.thecutlerycollection.com/main.htm)just appeared on a strange eList. It takes a while to get to the instruments but it is - ah - an interesting read. Bill Bussman will love this one.

I guess, if the need is to build an instrument (or a chamber orchestra) and the materials aren't exactly availible, you do what you can. Here's one of the "detail" pages (http://www.thecutlerycollection.com/main.htm) from the website ... That didn't work - you need to mouse over to the right side of the "Navigation" button towards the bottom of each page and - well it is an interesting read. If someone can figure out how to post any pictures of these instruments here - it would be greatly appreciated. Even the guitar case is amazing!

[Bob DeVellis]

Here's the detail of the matchstick mando. I bet the guy who owns the matchstick banjo is constantly hearing jokes about how he should have left the phosphorus on the matchsticks.

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[Tony Hall]

Here's the detail of the matchstick mando. I bet the guy who owns the matchstick banjo is constantly hearing jokes about how he should have left the phosphorus on the matchsticks.

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Hello Mandolin Cafe,

I found the postings from Dolamon and Bob while googling around and it's taken me a while to pluck up the courage to try and post a belated response about my late father's matchstick mandolins. I never got past first base with this technology, but I found a few tips on the website and have attempted to "figure out how to post pictures."

The instruments can be seen being played on YouTube. Glen Campbell performs with the 1937 matchstick guitar in the first segment and the mandolins are being played in the matchstick band in segment 2 and 3.


My own story about my father's voyage into luthier history is online at:
http://www.ibluegrass.com/bg_posting3.CFM?p__i=641&p__r=&p__a=match

With fingers and everything else X.

All the best from across the Atlantic!

Tony Hall (son of The Matchstick Man)

[MikeEdgerton]

Hi Tony, it's nice to see you here. Your Dad's instruments have been discussed a few times here in the past. Here (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?33114-Matchstick-mandolins&highlight=matchstick) is one thread. Thanks for the link.

[mzurer]

Fantastic! Found segment 1...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2VNdDV6Vzo

[MandoNicity]

Wow! That's totally amazing! I just read your account of your fathers work Tony and it is just incredible. And now thanks to mzurer I have watched the video and I am even more impressed!

JR

[Tony Hall]

Thanks for the warm welcome Mike. I don't know why there is such a big space between the text, I guess it might be something to do with the YouTube address I inserted that failed to show.

[jim simpson]

All I can hear in my head now is Pictures of Matchstick Men by Status Quo.
Ah, the sixties are haunting me.

[David Newton]

I was at a Bluegrass meeting several years ago, and a fellow showed me a match-stick fiddle that a relative had made. It played, but could have used some genuine violin strings.

While there is no danger of matchstick instruments taking over, I really enjoy the idea, and even more, would love to meet the maker.

[Tony Hall]

I know my dad would have been thrilled to meet you too David, but he met his maker in 1993!