Mermaid back, goldfish head with butterfly tailpiece mando

[Petrus]

Another "amazing" creation from our favorite Vietnamese jobber! As usual, sold as-is with no warranty or returns. Doesn't that just reinforce your confidence in the item?





8 String Mandolin Sunburst Mermaid Fish Butterfly With Hard Case Unique

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131617659898

BTW, how would you describe the shape of that sound hole?

[Jess L.]

BTW, how would you describe the shape of that sound hole?

Sound hole is almost a mini version of the shape of the instrument body itself...

The instrument body looks like it's about ready to give birth to a litter of... somethings...

Maybe I just have no appreciation for art.

[Seattle]

It resembles a Mandelbrot fractal.

[journeybear]

I have forwarded this to my mermaid fiend Clementine. She may not think it's her cup of seaweed and just stick with her ukulele, but you never know ...

I agree, the sound hole echoes the body shape. Hence, it resists simple, straightforward naming.

I wish the headstock were similarly shaped. It looks a bit clunky in comparison. If you're going to go ornate, go all the way. Don't hold back!

[Bertram Henze]

For me, the body/hole shape likeness is a no-brainer...

[allenhopkins]

Stepping back just a pace or two from the general ridicule, there's so much hand-work and (over-the-top) decorative artistry in the inlay work, that one wishes it could be transferred -- well, maybe part of it -- to musically and structurally better instruments.

I think of the praise that, for example, Canadian luthier Grit Laskin gets for his creative inlay work; not saying these Vietnamese instruments are comparable, but what would you expect to pay to get inlay work like that -- perhaps a tad more tasteful -- on a US-made instrument?

I know that the "bling" is, to some extent, what sells these instruments on eBay; that, and the low prices for solid-wood construction. Then, the frequent disappointment as unseasoned wood deforms, inlays fall out, metal parts fail.

Makes me want to take one of my instruments to Vietnam, and have one of those inlay crafts-people add a mermaid to its back. Won't happen, but...

[JEStanek]

If you're looking for a pretty wall hanger for $170 it's not bad. I think the mermaid is a ta rough but YMMV with mythical sea ladies.

Jamie

[DavidKOS]

Stepping back just a pace or two from the general ridicule, there's so much hand-work and (over-the-top) decorative artistry in the inlay work, that one wishes it could be transferred -- well, maybe part of it -- to musically and structurally better instruments.
.

that's a very good point. If all the effort went into the actual soundmaking parts, they could do well.

[Jackgaryk]

I have forwarded this to my mermaid fiend Clementine. She may not think it's her cup of seaweed and just stick with her ukulele, but you never know ...

I agree, the sound hole echoes the body shape. Hence, it resists simple, straightforward naming.

I wish the headstock were similarly shaped. It looks a bit clunky in comparison. If you're going to go ornate, go all the way. Don't hold back!

Come on JB...you know you have to get it. perfect for Herman the merman!

[journeybear]

Eh ... no I don't. I need instruments that play well and sound good, not just look .... OK, almost said it. Whew! Besides, the most intriguing artwork is on the back, where no one will see it. I will grant that it might be tempting at a lower price - a considerably lower price - but at $275 with shipping, my ship sails without her. Oar something like that. Oh, hull, I don't know!

I agree about the time spent on decoration versus construction, and as a proud owner of a couple plain A models, I'm glad that that ratio worked in my favor. Dressing up an instrument is just fine, but if it's supposed to be functional and not just decorative, functionality is the key consideration.

All the same, Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa are coming up, and if someone is stumped over what to give me this year, opening a box and seeing this would put a smile on my face. I wouldn't even mind if it weren't gift-wrapped.

[Petrus]

I think of the praise that, for example, Canadian luthier Grit Laskin gets for his creative inlay work; not saying these Vietnamese instruments are comparable, but what would you expect to pay to get inlay work like that -- perhaps a tad more tasteful -- on a US-made instrument?

Get a Mid-Missouri (known for their minimalist approach) and send it to a good inlay artist to bling up. Done.

[Mark Gunter]

I thought that was an incense burner soundhole until I saw Bertram's still. Now I know what an oriental still looks like.

[Tobin]

BTW, how would you describe the shape of that sound hole?

The body of the mandolin itself, as well as the similar shape of the sound hole, remind me of the "fertility goddess" statues.

[JeffD]

I seem to remember a mandolinetto with a shape similar to that. Round sound hole, but similar body shape.

[JeffD]

That's the mandolin you leave out in the living room, while your others are safely stowed in closets. When "they" break into your house, having heard you have a mandolin worth $250,000, (aren't they all?), they will take that and leave.

[Petrus]

That's the mandolin you leave out in the living room, while your others are safely stowed in closets. When "they" break into your house, having heard you have a mandolin worth $250,000, (aren't they all?), they will take that and leave.

Excellent idea ... just put it in a glass case to complete the illusion.