German Celluoid Mando

[Petrus]

Seems to be a lot of strange stuff showing up lately ... lyre mandos, table violins, weird zithers. I've not seen this style of mando before. Are they any good? (The seams seem to be separating.)


VINTAGE / ANTIQUE GERMAN MADE MANDOLIN CELLULOID COVERED 1920's 1930's


http://www.ebay.com/itm/141454439250

[barney 59]

While the Mother of toilet seat applied to instruments can be flashy and shiny and might look good when your wearing your Nudie suit I have yet to see one where the celluloid improved the tone! That stuff does seem to beak down and de-laminate or oxidize on those old instruments --also highly flammable! I think they quit making the stuff after the last of the factories that made it burned down.

[allenhopkins]

"Are they any good?" No way to tell without playing it. As barney 59 points out, the celluloid ("Pearloid" it was sometimes called, if it was made as a faux mother-of-pearl) has no acoustic benefit. It was a fad, covering banjo resonators, pickguards, headstocks etc. during the 1920's-30's.

Would I spend $175 for a no-name German mandolin, sight unseen? No.

[bart mcneil]

And celluloid does break down if it is actual celluloid. The tuner knobs on old instruments often change shape with age and crumble when turned. And as mentioned above it can self-ignite.

[Jim Garber]

Are they any good?

Let us know how you like it when you get it. Good luck!

[Petrus]

Not bidding on this one. Still waitin' on two to arrive that I recently ordered! (A $60 project for resale, and an RK resonator that I couldn't resist at $200.)

[kkmm]

At least, the back of this mandolin can be used as a huge pick

[Jim Garber]

Great! I can bid on this one. I have vintage toilet seat that needs restoration.

[Timbofood]

I used to work with a guy who referred to this stuff as "Mother-of Toilet Seat"
Always thought it was pretty funny!

[Jim Garber]

Yes, standard technical term is mother of toilet seat or MOTS.

[Dobe]

Kept the same looking green MOTS pickguard, for this Favilla re-build. Wasn't too sure at the time, but it's grown on me:

[Jim Garber]

Ultimate collectible MOTS instrument is the Gibson L-Century.



Of course, this one (also made by Gibson) is ultimate-er... That has to be the record for the highest price asked for a MOTS guitar, $25K.

[barney 59]

Interesting, doesn't appear to actually be a "Hawaiian" (slide guitar) as one would expect if it's called a "Hawaiian". Is it possible that this absolutely "original" guitar has been converted to Spanish style like a lot of those Martin H's have been?

[Jim Garber]

It is strange but the one on the cover of Paul Fox's book also looks like it was originally a non-Hawaiian or else converted (slanted bridge saddle). Maybe Paul has a clue...