View Full Version : What's on rhonda vincent's scroll?
surfandstrum
Nov-19-2007, 10:22pm
Sorry for a trivial question...One of my friends pointed out Rhonda had something on the end of her scroll (when you see her playing live), next to the scroll strap attachment...Does anyone know if that is part of the strap or something else?
fredfrank
Nov-19-2007, 11:34pm
It's apparently part of the strap. I don't know why it's hooked on like this, but there you have it.
http://www.hotpichost.com/uploads/c54b6d6e90.jpg (http://www.hotpichost.com)
8strings
Nov-20-2007, 1:19am
.... It is a 'scroll dampener', placed there to reduce unwanted harmonics, evident when the instrument is picked within a range of 170 to 175 beats per minute. I am manufacturing these for players who want the very best tone from their instrument. However, I currently have a 5 year waiting list and can't take any deposits until I have a clearer idea on how to manage my backlog. I am offering these patented 'snap on devices' in black, lime green, signal red and silver with platinum studs. The latter version will be limted to 13 and I have seen these listed on Ebay at extremely high bids. As time permits, I am also working on a number of other tone enhancing mandolin projects. Stay tuned ...... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
MikeEdgerton
Nov-20-2007, 7:25am
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif I'm choking.
fredfrank
Nov-20-2007, 7:40am
It's interesting how it looks like Rhonda is playing in Bb, while the guitarist behind her is in A.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
JEStanek
Nov-20-2007, 7:45am
I'm guessing this is a jam photo (or something even from a bluegrass cruise... note the beverage in the lady's hadn in the background). #The guitar player is probably as lost as I would be!
Jamie
Bill James
Nov-20-2007, 7:47am
It could be electrical tape meant for the headstock but..well..being a blonde...she does kind of have that look on her face.
Or maybe it's holding on a scroll that was shlocked of with a fire poker by a jealous lover.
We need to get to the bottom of this http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
The Old Sarge
Nov-20-2007, 7:48am
Sorry for a trivial question...One of my friends pointed out Rhonda had something on the end of her scroll (when you see her playing live), next to the scroll strap attachment...Does anyone know if that is part of the strap or something else?
8String, put me on your list for one of those dampeners. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Y'all are really observant. This question made me go back to the pictures I took at Claremore, OK, this year and the same type of strap attachment is in those pictures. And I never even noticed it before. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
fredfrank
Nov-20-2007, 7:58am
I took these photos at Darrington a few years back. I was glad I had a camera in my hand instead of a mandolin since my wife ended up doing some duet singing with Rhonda!
http://www.hotpichost.com/uploads/ab51646490.jpg (http://www.hotpichost.com)
I scored some major brownie points with my camera that evening.
JEStanek
Nov-20-2007, 8:10am
I dig the washboard! Is that Bluegrass? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Great photos, Fred.
Jamie
Daniel1975
Nov-20-2007, 8:11am
This is only a guess. But it appears to me that by wrapping it around the scroll that way, it effectively shortens the strap and holds the mando a little higher for her. I know I like mine riding a little higher than some people seem to prefer.
farmerjones
Nov-20-2007, 8:41am
yep, that's how she shortens that strap.
scroll dampener http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
thanks. now i gotta mop up this coffee. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif
Milan Christi
Nov-20-2007, 11:56am
It's interesting how it looks like Rhonda is playing in Bb, while the guitarist behind her is in A.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Wow - great catch! I'm impressed.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Gutbucket
Nov-20-2007, 12:07pm
Her fingers must be cramping. She's still holding the same chord.
CollingsPicker
Nov-20-2007, 12:26pm
Who Cares:p
fredfrank
Nov-20-2007, 5:40pm
Her fingers must be cramping. She's still holding the same chord.
I have to hand it to Rhonda. She played the last set of the evening and then while her band was selling CD's an t-shirts, she jammed with the crowd. And she didn't quit after just a few tunes either. She kept going until the band packed up all the stuff and put it back in the bus.
Ohhhh . . . now I understand. I wonder if that would work for me. I'll just jam with the crowd while my band takes down the P.A. and puts it in the truck!
By the way, that was a great post, Collingspicker. It added so much to the conversation.
Philip Halcomb
Nov-20-2007, 5:46pm
I'm guessing this is a jam photo (or something even from a bluegrass cruise... note the beverage in the lady's hadn in the background). #The guitar player is probably as lost as I would be!
Jamie
That's probably why she has that bewildered look on her face. The clashing of chords is probably drivin' her nuts... Or maybe she was like Bill and tunes her mandolin down a half step! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Jim Broyles
Nov-20-2007, 8:18pm
It's interesting how it looks like Rhonda is playing in Bb, while the guitarist behind her is in A.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Well, her pinky is on a E note and her ring finger is on an A. Looks like A to me.
fredfrank
Nov-20-2007, 8:22pm
I guess I was looking at her index and middle finger.
John Flynn
Nov-20-2007, 9:09pm
What's on rhonda vincent's scroll?
Oh, you guys are talking about the scroll on her mandolin! I was trying to visualize what part of Ms. Vincent the "scroll" was. I had fun thinking about it, though!
Greg H.
Nov-20-2007, 9:34pm
Bb, A, . . . .awwww details! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Salty Dog
Nov-20-2007, 10:49pm
This is an interesting thread - I find it hard to swallow that a player of Rhonda's stature and long time presence on the bluegrass scene cannot have a strap made to her body, and has to use a "gimmick" device to shorten it to fit her. #There is something missing from this whole story. #I had Jim Avery make two great straps to my individual specification at a very reasonable price. #Secondly, the part of the scroll that she is "strapping" is mostly solid wood - you would have to have a strap tight enough to break the scroll to make any tonal difference. #What am I missing here?
surfandstrum
Nov-21-2007, 1:31am
I actually did find out that it's a tension attachment to the scroll...It's not a loop, but a custom piece that fits tightly in the gap...Thus, she or others in the band can change the length quickly...Very interesting concept for those that "CARE"...(man postings are getting a bit unkind lately http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif )
Her mandolin looks like a wide neck.
JEStanek
Nov-21-2007, 7:22am
AlanN I think it's a standard width. Rhonda is quite fit and petite. When I met her after a show, off stage I was suprized at how small a woman she is. She's a real dynamo on stage, though. And like Fred said, she made the time to visit with everyone who lined up to meet her.
Jamie
Yes Jamie, must be the mandolin size relative to her stature. Smith Creek makes a dandy F-5. Marc MacGlashan, a fine Baltimore picker who has recorded with the Gibson Bros. has one and it's a hoss.
fredfrank
Nov-21-2007, 7:35am
When Josh Williams played in the band, he would sometimes play mandolin while Rhonda played guitar. I think this is how Josh was able to lengthen the strap. End of mystery.
Santiago
Nov-21-2007, 9:43am
So essentially the device reduces the unwanted sounds introduced by an F shape???
JEStanek
Nov-21-2007, 10:26am
Santiago,
No, that was just a bit of gear humor. There is no scroll dampener. As far as I know, the only unwanted sound of an F style is the additional dollars going in the till for how much more they cost! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Jamie
Santiago
Nov-21-2007, 11:08am
Whew. I thought I was about to watch a world war unfold here. Good luck with those teeth.
David Lloyd
Nov-21-2007, 11:12am
Yes, sadly there are unwanted sounds that come from an F style. Although I had never thought of them that way before. My wife says they usually occur when my she is trying to concentrate on something http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Dave
Well, her pinky is on a E note and her ring finger is on an A. Looks like A to me.
You lost me. I see B-flat, D, B-flat, F - a standard B-flat chop chord. What am I missing?
Jeroen
Nov-21-2007, 12:33pm
Here's the loop with several mando's, several straps, and in several years.
woodwizard
Nov-21-2007, 12:56pm
Yeah right ...ummmmmmmmmm http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Santiago
Nov-21-2007, 2:16pm
Someone's watching Miss. Vincent a little too closely. :-)
CTMusicStraps
Feb-07-2008, 8:02am
Here's the loop with several mando's, several straps, and in several years.
I found this thread quite interesting http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif. Let me introduce myself. #I am CT Strickland Jr. and my user name indicates my company, CT Music Straps Inc. I made the current rhinestone strap that Rhonda Vincent performs with. #To answer the "scroll question" it is simply a friction adjustment where the piece of leather is shaved to just the right thickness to allow it to slide, and yet still hold the mandolin by friction alone. It has to be fitted on the spot with the instrument which is why I rarely do it, because you can not simply ship a strap to a customer that way.
When Rhonda plays with it, she slides it all the way up and wraps the excess. #If taller bandmates have a need to, they can slide it out to adjust for them. #It is great for a quick, "on the fly" adjustment, especially if you swith instruments alot. #But if you have no reason to constantly switch instruments I recommend the simple loop attachment.
The reason you see the various strap over the years with that attachment is because Rhonda insists on that method. #It was the "one condition" I had to comply with when I made her custom strap a few years back. #As to the origin, I am not sure because her older straps were made that same way.
~CT
Timbofood
Feb-07-2008, 8:47am
I'm still using the dog leash with the snap removed and a hole or 2 in the end. (5 bucks, Hartz Mountain) I figure I can spend the extra strap costs in strings or beer and have the same basic result
weleetkaoutlaws
Feb-07-2008, 8:58am
I'm still using the dog leash with the snap removed and a hole or 2 in the end.
Do you find that this gives you more "bark"?
jim_n_virginia
Feb-07-2008, 9:06am
I found this thread quite interesting http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif. Let me introduce myself. #I am CT Strickland Jr. and my user name indicates my company, CT Music Straps Inc. I made the current rhinestone strap that Rhonda Vincent performs with. #
You know ... I have looked at Ms. Vincent many times and thought to myself..."BOY is that one handsome strap!!" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
But seriously CT I just checked out your gallery and your straps are beautiful. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Must say, those straps are very impressive. If I were to use a wider style, I would definitely consider CT straps.
Timbofood
Feb-07-2008, 9:38am
Not too much bark but significant "Whimper", It's the little scrolls that are left behind that get annoying.
Acutally the old Alvarez can "Speak" when asked. It has turned more than a few heads.
Mark Walker
Feb-07-2008, 10:13am
Why is it the photos on this thread are just a box with a red 'X' in them, but in all the other threads on the site, the photos come through just fine?
I can't even relate to what's being discussed - unless the object on Rhonda's scroll is a box with a red X! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
At first I thought that was where she puts her capo when its not in use.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
fredfrank
Feb-07-2008, 6:02pm
Why is it the photos on this thread are just a box with a red 'X' in them, but in all the other threads on the site, the photos come through just fine?
I can't even relate to what's being discussed - unless the object on Rhonda's scroll is a box with a red X! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I re-did my photos in the first page of the thread. I don't know why they went away, except that sometimes when I use an off-site picture hosting service, they don't keep 'em for long.
Mark Walker
Feb-07-2008, 6:57pm
Why is it the photos on this thread are just a box with a red 'X' in them, but in all the other threads on the site, the photos come through just fine?
I can't even relate to what's being discussed - unless the object on Rhonda's scroll is a box with a red X! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I re-did my photos in the first page of the thread. I don't know why they went away, except that sometimes when I use an off-site picture hosting service, they don't keep 'em for long.
Thanks fredfrank! That's much more gooder. More better even! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Nice pictures; I can see why the question about the extra 'strap' on the scroll.
CTMusicStraps cleared it up nicely.
Rhonda ain't half bad to look at either. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif