So, what is this, really?!

[barbhamel]

I've found this in the basement of an Antique shop...tagged as a Banjo Uke... I think maybe a Mandolin-Banjo in need of a bridge and, most likely, new strings? Can anyone tell me anything about it? The celluloid/pearloid resonator is really cool and the headstock is very odd looking. I couldn't find a name on it anywhere? Do they sound any good? Is $150 too much? I saw it about a month ago...it's still there and I can't stop thinking about it! Help! :)

[barbhamel]

Anyone know how to post a picture? I keep clicking on the icon for 'insert image', but get nothing!!

[JEStanek]

Did it have 4 or 8 strings? Scale length (mandolin ish?) Banjo Uke will have 4 strings, mandobanjo will have 8. Both can be fun. Was it playable? $150 could be a good price if it's playable. I've seen some with pretty bad necks and don't know how (because I've not messed with any) to adjust or if they can easily be adjusted.

The sound of a banjo uke is quite percussive. A Mandobanjo is loud and percussive. Some folks temper the sound with a sock between the rod and the skin underneath. One of my favorite dance tent / OT bands The Horseflies use a banjo-uke to wonderful effect.

Jamie

[JEStanek]

Insert image is for posting a link to a photo on the web. If you have the photo saved on your hard drive click GO ADVANCED then use the Paperclip for attachments and upload the photo that way.

Jamie

[barbhamel]

I hope I just attached a photo...this is crazy! I just loaded a photo in my 'profile' as well as 'attaching' one to this message.
It has 8 strings and the sides and back are completely enclosed by a big celluloid/pearloid pinkish-red resonator. At the time I was looking at it, I didn't try to play it as it was missing the bridge (but was strung up) and I wasn't sure how it was supposed to be tuned because I didn't know what it was...it just 'spoke' to me! :)

[JEStanek]

That's a mandobanjo, to me! How much extra would they want to fit a bridge and string it up appropriately? It looks cool.

Jamie

[barbhamel]

It's just an antique shop...they don't know anything about instruments... I thought about calling a local guy about a bridge and setting it up...but I needed to know what it was before I called him...I would also have to send the money to my son, so he could purchase it for me before coming home for Thanksgiving.

[Steve Ostrander]

Is that the world's largest oyster shell on the back?

[barbhamel]

"Is that the world's largest oyster shell on the back?"

I believe it might be, Steve! :)

[MikeEdgerton]

It wasn't made in the US, it's probably European. Jim Garber or one of our members from Europe might be able to get closer to the country of origin and the age.

[barbhamel]

Thanks Mike! Any info would be appreciated! :)
So, have you or anyone you know ever played one with the celluloid resonator? I wonder if it would just create more volume or have an obnoxious sound?! :)

[MikeEdgerton]

Thanks Mike! Any info would be appreciated! :)
So, have you or anyone you know ever played one with the celluloid resonator? I wonder if it would just create more volume or have an obnoxious sound?! :)

Is that entire resonator celluloid or simply mother-of-toilet seat laminated onto wood?

[barbhamel]

LOL!!! Celluloid (or pearloid) but it does somewhat resemble a toilet seat... I wonder if that means it sound like something of the same.....?! :) Maybe I should be glad I left it in that basement?!!

[JEStanek]

Bernunzio has a tenor banjo covered in green MOTS very similar to that mando banjo. See it here (http://www.bernunzio.com/item.php?sku=0711529).

Jamie

[TomTyrrell]

The Bernunzio one is a Zither banjo.

I love that mandolin! How much do they want for it?

[barbhamel]

Hi Tom,
I tried to send you a message, but I don't know if it really went anywhere since there's not a copy of it in my 'sent' file!
Anyway, it's 150.00. I think I've talked myself out of it...even though it's really cool....the left side of my brain is fighting with the right side!! Be sensible ~ No! Have fun!! hmmm... anyway, if you're interested in it, I'll get my son to email me the name of the Antique Mall and their phone number.

[sunburst]

For $150 that thing would have followed me home and found a place on the shop wall where it could be taken down and played at a moments notice. It's just too cool!

[fred d]

I have a mando banjo but due to the wierd sound I changed it to 4 strings and tuned GDAE like a small Irish banjo BUT that think would give nightmares looks kinda like a spider with baby on it's back really big spider peopel eater:)):crying::disbelief:

[Jim Garber]

The Bernunzio one is a Zither banjo.

I love that mandolin! How much do they want for it?

Aha! I was just about to say that it looks sort of English made like a zither banjo. It has that resonator type.

Then again, here is another banjo mandolin with a similar headstock but no MOTS labelled Jerome Thibouville Lamy, a large French maker/seller - from the Springer Music (UK) museum page.

[Ivan Kelsall]

For that price i think i would have purchased it & turned it into a 'project' piece,slowly restoring it
until it was nicely playable. It might sound like sacrilige to most folk on here,but that back would have to go - it looks contagious (as in a disease). I love the headstock & all told i think that it looks great except for that repulsive back - purely my own opinion,
Saska :disbelief:

[barbhamel]

I just found a receipt where I had bought a few small items from the Antique Mall that had this Mandolin Banjo. Since I have 'reasoned' myself out of it, I'm going to post the info., in case one of you would like to check it out for yourself! Here is a pic of the price tag/headstock/and close-up design of the pearloid celluloid back! I believe that 87W is the Dealer's code, 150.00 is the price, and as we now know, it is not a Banjo Uke as implied, but a 'Mando Banjo'! This is in the basement of The Coachman Antique Mall, in La Porte, Indiana. Address is: 500 Lincolnway, La Porte, Indiana 46350. The phone number is: 219-326-5933. It was there when I was visiting my son, Oct. 20th. I live in Alabama, so I've not been back to check on it...I've just been mulling it over. So, there it is!! I hope someone buys it, gets it back 'up' and plays the you-know-what out of it, grinning all the while! :) Thanks for all of the info and input! This has been fun! :)

[Ivan Kelsall]

CRIPES !!!! - that back covering gives me the willies. Mutated Tortoishell is the closest i can come to it or 'Melted Mother of Toilet Seat' - That's a collector's item in itself,who in the world would make more than one piece of that stuff ??!! :grin:
Saska