Greatest mando made of paper

[mikeomando]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-ONE-OF-A-KIND-PRISON-INMATE-HAND-MADE-MANDOLIN_W0QQitemZ120172201445QQihZ002QQcategor
yZ621QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Feast your eyes</a>


Strings are made of garbage bags. Take that, you blindered traditionalists! NFI, which is always a shame when there's a story this good. Also, beware ban*o content when viewing the neck of this one. Oh yeah, the tuning knobs are toothpaste caps. I don't believe they're inlaid. (Tooth joke. Sorry.)

[Bernie Daniel]

How do people with such inate intelligence and skill end up in prison for life? #Why is such obvious talent often wasted? #

I know there is no good answer to that. #

It is kind of like the question I first heard many years ago as a college freshman -- a professor, who was exasperated about the scores on a biochemistry exam said to #me "Why do they waste youth on young people?".

I'm not sure I fully appreciated it at the time but I do now.

[Jim Garber]

I hope this doesn't encourage our young wanna-be luthiers to commit crimes (or steal toothpaste tubes) in order to built such masterworks.

I am sure that it sounds quite lovely with quality papier mache.

[jim simpson]

"The family is from New Orleans Louisiana. They said that years ago mandolins like these were sold on the streets for over $1500 each by his grandfather and him".

My favorite line from the auction site!

[Paul Hostetter]

I love the fifth drone string. Covering several bases here.

[Mandodrummer]

Those are some Hefty strings.

[sgarrity]

Where do people come up with this stuff?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Keith Erickson]

Boy his parents must be really proud of him http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

I have to say, I've never seen a mandolin like that before.

It's much better than the artwork that Charles Mansion & Co. is trying to sneak out on e-bay these days.

[Jason Holmes]

That's fascinating. It reminds me of the violins and mandolins I've seen in photos made from matchsticks.

I see that accepted methods of payment are just check and money order, no buyer protection. And no bids, huh? How odd. Those used to sell for $1500 in New Orleans, right? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[otterly2k]

anyone else having trouble viewing the pics on this one?

[Ace]

Hmm no pictures on my end! Would be neat to look at IF I could!

[mandomick]

I can't view the pics at all.

[Keith Erickson]

I don't know what happened # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif #10 minutes ago these pic's were available. #

The strange thing is that this mandolin could have well been posted on the "2 point suggestions" thread as well as the "Mandolin Humor" thread. #

The way this e-bay guy was talking; it was better built than the New Mad A5 that was given away yesterday #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Brad Weiss]

It's back, for me. #Hey, it's actually a 5 string banjo- check it out if you can see it. #Now THAT makes a lot more sense. #The tuning machines are made from toothpaste caps, the only use a banjo player has for toothpaste, evidently # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[JEStanek]

Here's one of the top view... Tuner knobs are toothpaste tube caps... Willy Wonka!

[squirrelabama]

Buy it now,,,that guy is the next Cellulloyd Loar!!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Chris Biorkman]

At least he's not making a shank. Hard to stab anyone with a mandolin.

[mythicfish]

"Those used to sell for $1500 in New Orleans, right?"

Mardi Gras makes people do strange things.

Curt

[mandolooter]

The first 2 point paper banjo....?

[Nolan]

My favorite line...
"This mandolin will last forever"

He might want to add a disclaimer like...
"unless it's exposed to water or high humidity or if you have sweaty hands... or if you live in the south in general.. especially on the coast"

This line has me wondering too..
"They told me that the garbage bags are hard to get in prison because prisoners can get them and use them for floatation devices for escape. "

My question... how exactly did those garbage bags get smuggled into prison? # # #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Wait, I don't want to know!

[Keith Erickson]

I must ask...
...isn't anyone the least bit curious to find out what this guy did to earn him a one way ticket to life in solitary confinement?

[Ken Sager]

I must ask...
...isn't anyone the least bit curious to find out what this guy did to earn him a one way ticket to life in solitary confinement?
Three strikes?

It's clear he plays banjo, so perhaps assault with intent to frail?

He wears a bra?

Who knows. I'm also too curious to know how the garbage bags got in.

Best,
Ken

[Paul Hostetter]

I must ask...isn't anyone the least bit curious to find out what this guy did to earn him a one way ticket to life in solitary confinement?
One question one never asks in the joint is "what are you in for." And solitary is usually either a temporary punitive measure, or is reserved for the most serious of serious. Ex-CIA agent Edwin Wilson, for example. In this case it may have just made good copy for the eBay ad, who knows for sure?

[Pez D. Spencer]

The tooth brush was invented by a banjo player. Anyone else would have called it a teeth brush.

[Rick Cadger]

I must ask...
...isn't anyone the least bit curious to find out what this guy did to earn him a one way ticket to life in solitary confinement?
It did cross my mind to wonder... but then I got more intrigued by what would inspire the guy to make an instrument that seems to marry two such different concepts. Whatever got him into trouble, it wasn't lack of imagination.

BTW, interesting sig, Keith. Guess that makes me an artist! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[CharlieKnuth]

But this is "One of the finest hand made mandolin that I have ever seen" and "is hard to believe but the mandolin has a beautiful sound". Can't wait to see how high the bidding on this one goes. Imaginative yes, quality mandolin, only if you are in prison.

[Keith Erickson]

I'm wondering why this little gem didn't move on the auction block http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif