So i had this ak47 laying around...

[Magnus Geijer]

Don't see that much use for AK47s lately. No zombie outbreaks, no small countries to invade, you know, the usual. So I thought to myself, what could I turn this into that would be more useful?

It turns out that there aren't as many good answers to that as one might first expect, but then again, what better use could one find than a four string solid body electric?

http://geijer.us/albums/Random/100_4475.jpg

I was thinking the trigger would be a good switch between pickups, and perhaps the pots could be mounted inside the magazine, possibly with muzzle breaks for knobs. Any ideas on what the selector switch could be used for?

/Magnus

[JEStanek]

Imagine trying to travel by air with that as a carry on!

I have to admit I'm having fun making up inappropriate names for the bands that could use such an instrument.

This will be interesting to watch. F style, A style, Two point, assault weapon.. Do I see a bayonet capo?

Jamie

[sebastiaan56]

"Sorry about that Chief...... "

What a great use for a weapon although given the specific weapon and its distribution I wonder if an Oud would not be more appropriate.

[MandoBen]

Can I be in your band?

[Plamen Ivanov]

Here is the story of the founding of a big Bulgarian music factory (http://www.kremona.com/history.html):

Kremona’s history starts near the beginning of the 20-th century, by a man named Dimitar Georgiev.

Mr. Georgiev began his career as a journeyman gunsmith. He soon became a master, designing and building his own machine guns that he felt were mechanical art pieces. As the First World War began Dimitar is compelled to join his countries military and test his accomplishments of design and manufacture. He soon realizes that his art form is a horrific tool against man, and turns his back on the trade. While still on the fronts of Europe he finds solace in music and playing his mandolin. This hostile environment proved to be hard on his beloved instrument and he is forced to repair it on numerous occasions by himself.

Returning home to Bulgaria Dimitar begins to produce hand carved samples of his new talent. He began with mandolins, violins, and later guitars. These samples proved his talent and gained him an apprenticeship in the famous town of Markneukirchen, Germany. He excels at the trade and returns to Bulgaria in 1924 to start his own workshop. Kremona was established with the help of his two brothers, and later two German master craftsmen.

[Antlurz]

With the inevitable debates that arise when it comes to handloading ammo about favorite powder charges, bullet types and weights. etc., I can only imagine the debates about what strings to use on this critter. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Although, one must admit that Comm Block mandolins may have something to offer over the run of the mill Pac Rims... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Ron

[Plamen Ivanov]

I have also some (big) experience with AK. What i can say, is that if all these guns were mandolins, the world would be a much better place for living. So, Magnus, it's a good start!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Martin Jonas]

The connection between gunsmithry and lutherie is quite venerable. #For many centuries, the centre of the Thuringian gun industry was the town of Suhl. #Suhl was also the centre of Thuringian waldzither making. #The town's gunmakers had a sideline in making waldzither hardware (tuners, tailpieces and bridges), and some gunsmiths made waldzithers in times of low demand for guns. #The Waffenmuseum (museum of weaponry) in Suhl has a reconstuction of a fully-equipped 19th century waldzither workshop as one of their exhibits.

Martin

[Chris Travers]

I would have kept the AK47. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Provided it was in working order.

[AlanN]

Yeah, I have also noted the confluence of guns and instruments, moreso in the past. I would frequently see either placards or business cards with 'We sell guns and musical instruments', interestingly fretted instruments, at that.

Oh, and Plami? I promise I won't step on yer breaks anymore http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mrmando]

Reminds one of this (http://emando.com/builders/DAngelico.htm).

[Bertram Henze]

There is also this link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ-NhyctOho&feature=related) which was posted by John McGann in another thread...
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[blacksmith]

Number 1 with a bullet?

[Keith Erickson]

Hey Magnus,

7.62 x 39 mm

I have a Bulgarian made AK-47 and I've been toying around with the idea of selling it to help defray the costs of my Emory Lester.

However I will draw the line with my 3 Mausers. #I'll never get rid of them.

One time, I had an ex-girlfriend that demanded that I choose between the Mausers or her.

Well it's 5 years later and my Mausers are still with me and I have found a wife that finds my Mausers and mandolins to be acceptable #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[RLPOOL]

Didn't Keith Richards play a Combat-Strat used to wack fans off stage?

[mandomick]

You mean this Tele'here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyK0y02HvVc&feature=related)

[Col. Suggs]

AlanN wrote: #"Yeah, I have also noted the confluence of guns and instruments, moreso in the past. I would frequently see either placards or business cards with 'We sell guns and musical instruments', interestingly fretted instruments, at that."


You mean like B & B's Guns and Banjos in Section, AL?

Sean

[mandroid]

Ben's headless neck does seem right for this kind of Curiosity.

[Plamen Ivanov]

Martin, thanks for the info about Suhl!!! You, Keith and others may be also interested in the fact that the Bulgarian AKs were made in the same town, where the "Kremona" music factory is - Kazanlak. Pretty much like the Suhl story. Really interesting! I don't know how is this to be explained, but there is such guns-musical instruments connection for sure!

Alan, don't worry, i'm the most peaceful guy in the world! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I would never go to the army, but I was obliged to do that. The Bulgarian army was a conscript and not a professional army then.

Good luck to you all!
Plamen

[Keith Erickson]

You, Keith and others may be also interested in the fact that the Bulgarian AKs were made in the same town, where the "Kremona" music factory is - Kazanlak. Pretty much like the Suhl story. Really interesting! I don't know how is this to be explained, but there is such guns-musical instruments connection for sure!
Plami, Actually the Bulgarian AK is called the SLR-95MB. I have to say that I love those milled receivers over the stamped receivers.

I'm glad that I'm not the only gun totin' mandolin player on this board http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Antlurz]

I'm glad that I'm not the only gun totin' mandolin player on this board http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Believe it. You're not. Guns and mandolins are my two biggest interests on the net with some politics thrown in.

It only makes sense, does it not? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

http://showcase.netins.net/web/antlurz/greygun.gif

Ron

[Magnus Geijer]

I have ended up working in the firearms business, something that has given me all sorts of ideas on things to build. My wife has a full time job keeping me from realizing a lot of them. An odd business for someone whose only previous contact with firearms was as a year in the Swedish corps of Engineers. (Also as a conscript, incidentally.)

I got this one as a parts kit, which is legally a non-gun, rather than a functioning rifle. Taking a gun and turning it into a non-gun is a heavily regulated process, and starting with a functioning firearm and turning it into something else and then reselling without proper licenses is a surefire way to get to see the inside of this country's fine correctional institutions. I also considered using kits from CETMEs and/or VZ58s, but decided to go with the regular old AK. Name recognition over the VZ58 and the ease of build with a flat receiver side rather than the curlycues of the CETMEs.

And yeah, I think you're right on the headless design there. I would say it would look good that way, but I'm not sure that good is the right word. Sensible also seems like the wrong choice of phrase. The lesser of many evils, perhaps.

/Magnus

[Antlurz]

Do any of the Waverlys or Schallers have tuners that come with a bayonet lug?

[Keith Erickson]

This is an interesting thread...

I really enjoyed watching banjo take out 5 outlaws with his banjo (and in of all places..... Texas) #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Then last night I started thinking about sticking a C-96 Mauser broomhandled pistol inside the back of a mandolin.

...but then again it beats counting sheep when you can't get to sleep at night #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[F5G WIZ]

I think you might have some problems at the airports with that one, no matter which case you have it in,. Definitly not a carry-on! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Magnus Geijer]

There is that. Also, that's a 40-round magazine, so can't be sold to CA, MA, MD, NJ, NY etc.

/Magnus