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Thread: Cool Old Art Deco Mando

  1. #1
    Registered User Petrus's Avatar
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    Default Cool Old Art Deco Mando

    Not sure why they're calling it "wall art" ... I've played things that looked worse than this.


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    VINTAGE 1952 H. L. GREEN MANDOLIN HANDMADE AMERICANA ACOUSTIC WALL ART

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1952...-/261629068324

  2. #2
    but that's just me Bertram Henze's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool Old Art Deco Mando

    Those gaping gateways in the sides, the sides obviously made up of "tiles", the peculiar shape of the top, the strange "bridge" - nothing of this is designed for producing sound.
    the world is better off without bad ideas, good ideas are better off without the world

  3. #3
    Middle-Aged Old-Timer Tobin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool Old Art Deco Mando

    Yeah, I would imagine it would sound pretty bad. But as for "wall art", it may have to do with the fact that the neck looks like it's coming off. It seems to be cracked all the way through the heel.

  4. #4
    Moderator JEStanek's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool Old Art Deco Mando

    There is nothing going on there that tells me this is gonna sound good. The huge scratch plate and white rectangle dampening the top... Useful as wall art only to me... And, it's already 10X more than I would spend on it.

    Jamie
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  5. #5
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool Old Art Deco Mando

    Yeah, but how many mandolins get described as "formidable"?
    Allen Hopkins
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  6. #6
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool Old Art Deco Mando

    Many, every day, all the time - in France! Beaucoup, chaque jour, tous les temps - en France!

    Comme ça: Cette mandoline est formidable!

    Tell ya what, though - the front reminds me of a tater bug. The back does not, though ...
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

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  8. #7
    Registered User Petrus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool Old Art Deco Mando

    Those holes are Howard Green patented SlidePorts (tm), movable side sound holes that allow the player precise control over the directionality of the sound emitted. And the distinctive "belt buckle" style bridge ensures even bit-lateral compensation for intonation. Or something.

  9. #8
    I may be old but I'm ugly billhay4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool Old Art Deco Mando

    Well, for all the negative comments, let me add one positive one. This is an interesting instrument design wise. Someone was experimenting with plastic very early on. Also, the stacked wood top and back is an interesting experiment in making both an arch and having an interesting appearance result from the stacking. I am assuming here this is how that was done. It may have simply been painted on. The sound ports were ahead of their time, too. Some interesting stuff there, but the neck, indeed, does look like it's failing. The neck angle looks very flat, so it may not have produced much sound, but who can know?
    All in all, I find it cool.
    Bill
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  10. #9
    Middle-Aged Old-Timer Tobin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool Old Art Deco Mando

    The sound ports were ahead of their time, too.
    Methinks those were unintentional by the builder. It looks like the 'tiles' on the sides just got broken and fell out.

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  12. #10
    I may be old but I'm ugly billhay4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool Old Art Deco Mando

    May be. If they are tiles, the builder had a very interesting way of constructing an instrument, a bit reminiscent of Marty Jacobson and Rigel's methods.
    I still like it.
    Bill
    IM(NS)HO

  13. #11
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cool Old Art Deco Mando

    There may not be a whole lot of competition for you on this. It could be yours! 15 days and counting ...
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

  14. #12

    Default Re: Cool Old Art Deco Mando

    Reminds me of the German carve - Musima stuff

    http://guitarz.blogspot.com/2012/02/...ma-record.html

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