More ebay emandos

[glauber]

And just when you thought you'd seen everything (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230034694609)...
So... that's a mandobass? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

You can never have enough knobs, right?

[delsbrother]

Decisions, decisions.. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Triple-Neck-Guitar-Banjo-Mandolin-Custom-Instrument_W0QQitemZ190039879583)

[delsbrother]

Cheap Monteleone. (http://cgi.ebay.com/JOHN-MONTELEONE-UNFINISHED-LAP-STEEL-SOLID-BODY-GUITAR_W0QQitemZ290039663289) OK, not a mandolin. But certainly ####.

[Jim MacDaniel]

That body shape would make for a cool emando.

[Keith Miller]

looks interesting this one

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RICKENBACKER-5002v58-MANDOLIN-in-beautiful-Fireglo_W0QQitemZ290041353731QQihZ019QQcategory
Z41439QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">rickenbacker</a>

[kyblue]

Wow! That Rickenbacker is cool looking. I guess it's good that it's on the other side of the pond, another reason to not seriously consider it.

Paula

[Jim MacDaniel]

If you want to hear just how cool that Rick can sound, follow this link (http://www.cmt.com/music/studio_330_sessions/performance/reckless_kelly/1525843/performance.jhtml?performHeader=recent), click on "Watch it now", and select "Wicked Twisted Road". Reckless Kelly's mandolinist/fiddler plays one of these Ricks, and to my ears it sort of sounds a little like a capo'd Tele, with a touch of a Rick 12-string's jingle-jangly sound (a la The Birds) thrown in.

[kyblue]

Jim,

Thanks!

I say that somewhat sarcastically. I love the song and the band (at least those three); I hate that I've found something else to want.

Oh, MAS. What a wicked, twisted road!!!

Paula

[Jim MacDaniel]

Oh, MAS. #What a wicked, twisted road!!!
LOL!

BTW, in case you also suffer from CDAS, they have a new double-CD live set w/ a DVD ("Reckless Kelly Was Here"), and the audio and video both which feature Wicked Twisted Road, as well as several other tunes with the Rick.

[jefflester]

Hondo solidbody 8-string F (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330046014018)

"INCLUDED IN THIS AUCTION IS THE ADAPTER WIRE FOR THE AMPLIFIER"

Woo hoo!

[delsbrother]

Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.

New Jazzmando shirt slogan?

[delsbrother]

No Reserve Bacorn. (http://cgi.ebay.com/SUPER-FLAMED-ROGER-BACORN-ELECTRIC-8-STRING-MANDOLIN_W0QQitemZ170049260884QQihZ007)

[jefflester]

Bud Ryan built 5-string (not listed at emando?). With a guitar, ta boot. :-)

Bud Ryan solid 5-string (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120057058704)

http://i1.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/7a/30/b246_1.JPG

[mrmando]

This is a new builder to me, too. Looks interesting.

[mrmando]

Yowza (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130054213022).

[Ted Eschliman]

Yowza (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130054213022).
I own (and revere!) an older sister to this Jazzbo (reviewed on my website). This is an incredible instrument--well worth the price! Paul's instruments are a treat to eye and ear, and are a true pleasure to play.

[jefflester]

That Jazzbo auction could use some better (closeup) pictures.

[hotclub]

I've got an older digital camera that doesn't focus very close, but I've posted a few new pics... Better?

[Kid Charlemagne]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/CUSTOM-MADE-LES-PAUL-STYLE-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-FANCY_W0QQitemZ190054815247QQihZ009QQcategory
Z10179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Good God, this thing is hideous!</a>

The maker says he's close to his 250-instrument mark, and suggests that he "ought" to be charging at least $1200, but doesn't because no one on Ebay bids what anything is worth. Meanwhile, he's made the neck out of an old piece of cherry, scavenged an old P-bass pickup, and used a fretboard purchased off Ebay (by the looks of it, one of those pre-inlaid deals).

Personally, looks to me like the shipping charge pretty much covers what that instrument is worth.

Disabled vet or not, it looks like this thing was designed by a 4-year old with crayons.


http://i11.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/79/c7/44a5_1.JPG

[mrmando]

Ah yes, Mr. Allen Gerrell ... the topic of his instruments has surfaced many times before. Do you wonder why he charges a 20% restocking fee? Do you?

[delsbrother]

GD Armstrong e-CBOM (http://cgi.ebay.com/Electric-Bouzouki-Saz-Oud-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ330057919406)

Love the tulip shape - like early Ricks!

http://i9.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/7c/9d/dbb7_1.JPG

[jefflester]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-WITH-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-NECK_W0QQitemZ190057949229QQihZ009QQcategoryZ10
179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Doubleneck Tennessee</a>
http://i23.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/78/60/ccb7_1_sbl.JPG

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/No-Reserve-Handmade-Solidbody-Electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ130055681364QQihZ003QQcategoryZ1 0
179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">No Name 4-string</a>
http://i12.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/7c/cc/ac07_12.JPG

[thistle3585]

I built the bottom 4 string emando about two years ago. It was the second or third one I had built. I sold it on ebay to the current seller a year or more ago. It had a silver plastic pickup ring at one time.

So far, I've seen two of my instruments come up on ebay. Is that a good thing or bad thing? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Jim MacDaniel]

Nice work, Thistle -- I really like the body shape, finish, and headstock shape. Do you have a web site?

[thistle3585]

Thanks Jim. I don't think that one is a good representation of my work now. Its clearly an early build. No, I don't have a website. I have thought about it, but just haven't found the time. For now, I have just been listing them on ebay, and occasionally selling or trading them in my area.

Andrew

[Jim MacDaniel]

What's your eBay ID? (To keep an eye out via my favorite sellers list.)

[delsbrother]

Good Lord! (http://cgi.ebay.com/1950-60s-J-Reynold-Co-ELECTRIC-orig-ART-MANDOLIN_W0QQitemZ260063550705)

[Jim MacDaniel]

Good Lord! (http://cgi.ebay.com/1950-60s-J-Reynold-Co-ELECTRIC-orig-ART-MANDOLIN_W0QQitemZ260063550705)
Wonder if the owner drives one of these (http://www.artcaragency.com/showcase.php?cat=hodgepodge_mosaic#)?

[thistle3585]

Jim, my ID is xroadswood. Incidentally, on the red one. I'm half tempted to buy it back just for the hardware and pickup. That alone is worth $120.00.

[mrmando]

Well, whaddaya know? Here's another (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140063243955) one of Andrew's. This is a later build, correct?

Love that tricked-out J. Reynold. Those are rare ... only the second one I've ever seen.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Hey Andrew/Thistle -- I see you are from Columbus. I was born and bred in another SEC Conference town: Connersville (home of mediocre sports, except for that one team a generation that manages to win the state ;).

[thistle3585]

Well, that one team has a better chance now that they switched to class ball. That really ruined high school basketball in Indiana. Although, they still do a class championship amongst the four class champions, but its still not the same.

And yes, Martin, I am cleaning out the stables to finance some more equipment. By the way, did you find a package sitting on your front step last week? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mrmando]

I did! Thanks! Andrew sent me a couple of his 4-string bridges. Dunno what I'm going to do with them yet.

[Django Fret]

Ninth String E-mando (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160063604072&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fse arch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26satitle%3D160063604072%26f vi%3D1)

Wonder who will find this under the tree?

[Mike Handley]

"Wonder who will find this under the tree?"

Most likely someone who has been very naughty!

[delsbrother]

Dale would be amazed! There IS a ninth string!

[thistle3585]

I like the fact that an instrument made in 1985 is considered vintage. I noticed all his other items he sells are "vintage" also. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[mrmando]

That's a DeArmond pickup, of course, not whatever he calls it in the description. I get a kick out of the flattened tailpiece and the octave string on the D course. All this instrument needs is a Parsons-White B-bender.

No way it's worth $599.

[jefflester]

Lefty Redwood topped (http://cgi.ebay.com/lefty-left-handed-mandolin-hollow-body-electric_W0QQitemZ260063845437)

http://i21.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/7e/32/34ba_1.JPG

[jefflester]

That's a DeArmond pickup, of course, not whatever he calls it in the description.
"De Amona H.N. Rowe & co Toledo USA" - he just couldn't read it well enough to come up with "De Armond." The DeArmond pickups were manufactured by the H.N. Rowe Company in Toledo and were sometimes (early on?) known as Rowe-DeArmond pickups.

[mrmando]

Well, he was close.

The top on the lefty looks like leftover pizza.

[Keith Miller]

No mando but its about all that is missing http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif)<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CUSTOM-QUINT-NECK-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-WITH-HARD-CASE_W0QQitemZ190052361184QQihZ009QQcatego
ryZ2384QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Why ??</a>

[mrmando]

Here's a 5-string by Stephen Reynolds (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190065262359). Know anything about him?

[wichitamando]

I've never heard of him. He apparently makes a really good looking mando though.

[delsbrother]

(Nearly) Headless. (http://cgi.ebay.com/headless-tenor-guitar-octave-mandolin-for-violin-player_W0QQitemZ260068045776)

[FlawLaw]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Schwab-5-string-Deluxe-Electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ270074057582QQihZ017QQcategoryZ1 0179QQss
PageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2700740 57582" target="_blank">Nice looking Schwab</a>

[John Hill]

Interesting:

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-Handmade-in-TN-1-of-a-kind_W0QQitemZ250069085984QQihZ015QQcategoryZ2384Q
QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/ELECTRI....iewItem</a>

John

[delsbrother]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Acoustic-MANDOLIN-Bakelite-Knob-ELECTRIC-PICKUP_W0QQitemZ250069719786QQihZ015QQcat
egoryZ10179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Kind of a fixer-upper...</a>

[delsbrother]

What was the consensus on <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-1940S-EPIPHONE-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-RARE_W0QQitemZ300066885243QQihZ020QQcategoryZ1017
9QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">this thing?</a>

[mrmando]

I have a hard time believing that pickup on the Epiphone to be original factory work...

[Jim MacDaniel]

Kind of odd knob placement as well.

[jefflester]

Some people will pay 10's of thousands of dollars for knob placement like that.

GIBSON SPF-5 (1938) at Elderly (http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/90U-4367.htm)
(Well maybe not, since no one has actually bought it yet)


It does look pretty similar (pickup and knobs) to the Epiphone electric banjo that seller also has:
Epiphone Elec banjo (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300038383572)

[Joel Glassman]

&gt;Kind of a fixer-upper...

Looks like the player lost his flatpick and decided to use a icepick...

[delsbrother]

There can be only one... (http://cgi.ebay.com/Unique-Electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ130076984247QQihZ003)

[Kid Charlemagne]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws...._widget (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190081841616&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BID_IT&refitem=190054815247&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget)

Another by this fellow.

And <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/HANDMADE-SOLID-WOOD-ACOUSTIC-MANDOLIN-ONE-OF-A-KIND_W0QQitemZ190081650115QQihZ009QQcategor
yZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">another</a>.

I really get a kick out of some of the common themes in his auctions.

1) VET!!!!!

2) He does this as his only living / He has to make ends meet / He will die of starvation if you don't buy his "instruments"

3) Hand made = expectation of poor fit and finish. We all know those really nice mandolins were built by robots. Lynn Dudenbot and the like.

4) VET!!!!!

[Jim MacDaniel]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws...._widget (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190081841616&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BID_IT&refitem=190054815247&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget)

Another by this fellow.

And <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/HANDMADE-SOLID-WOOD-ACOUSTIC-MANDOLIN-ONE-OF-A-KIND_W0QQitemZ190081650115QQihZ009QQcategor

yZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">another</a>.

I really get a kick out of some of the common themes in his auctions.

1) VET!!!!!

2) He does this as his only living / He has to make ends meet / He will die of starvation if you don't buy his "instruments"

3) Hand made = expectation of poor fit and finish. #We all know those really nice mandolins were built by robots. #Lynn Dudenbot and the like.

4) VET!!!!!
He should have added that his children created his plans using crayons.

[MandoSquirrel]

"The making of this instrument took me 3 1/2 months to make"

The making of the instrument itself, hardly any time at all to slap stuff together.

[michaell]

I've never seen eight-on-a side before...

[delsbrother]

I'm a fan of funky, aesthetically challenged styling (especially on emandos), but he's kind of a little too proud of his lack of craftsmanship for my taste.

Plus, how much must they reek of cigarettes that he has to actually warn you about it? Kind of scary to think about.

[jk245]

It does look pretty similar (pickup and knobs) to the Epiphone electric banjo that seller also has:
Epiphone Elec banjo (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300038383572)
This guy is a virtual music junk yard.
As per his ebay store, he is
Michael's Music
Freeport, Long Island, NY

On his site he says that he is a "Licensed and Bonded second hand dealer in the State of New York."

I never before heard this strange statement.
New York State has strong laws pertaining to something called "pawn brokers".
He appears to make an outright purchase but not a loan.

[mrmando]

I've never seen eight-on-a side before...
Bob Brain from the UK did an 8-on-a-side emando. But yes, they are rare, as indeed they should be.

[mrmando]

2) He does this as his only living / He has to make ends meet / He will die of starvation if you don't buy his "instruments"
Allen comes in for a lot of criticism here. No doubt his stuff is poorly made, but at least all the caveats in his item descriptions give you a reasonable idea of what to expect.

It looks like he spends part of his VA benefits on wood & parts and then tries to recoup the cost by selling the instruments. I guess I don't see the harm in his having a hobby. It's a lot better than what my alcoholic uncle did with his VA benefits.

[jk245]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws...._widget (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190081841616&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BID_IT&refitem=190054815247&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget)

Another by this fellow.
And <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/HANDMADE-SOLID-WOOD-ACOUSTIC-MANDOLIN-ONE-OF-A-KIND_W0QQitemZ190081650115QQihZ009QQcategor

yZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">another</a>.
I really get a kick out of some of the common themes in his auctions.
1) VET!!!!!
2) He does this as his only living / He has to make ends meet / He will die of starvation if you don't buy his "instruments"
3) Hand made = expectation of poor fit and finish. We all know those really nice mandolins were built by robots. Lynn Dudenbot and the like.
4) VET!!!!!
He should have added that his children created his plans using crayons.


He says on the ebay listing:
"This mandolin is all solid woods. The top is all hand carved with a good arch to it. It is one solid piece of redwood."

Is this a California coastal redwood or a high Sierra redwood. It makes a difference in sound. I remember this when I dropped my dish on our redwood picnic table.
It seems like a very soft wood for a mando.

[Kid Charlemagne]

2) He does this as his only living / He has to make ends meet / He will die of starvation if you don't buy his "instruments"
Allen comes in for a lot of criticism here. No doubt his stuff is poorly made, but at least all the caveats in his item descriptions give you a reasonable idea of what to expect.

It looks like he spends part of his VA benefits on wood & parts and then tries to recoup the cost by selling the instruments. I guess I don't see the harm in his having a hobby. It's a lot better than what my alcoholic uncle did with his VA benefits.
True enough, it's not as if the photographs don't let you know exactly what you're getting in for.

I just think that the descriptions are vastly overblown from what the instruments, so to speak, are. If you were provided with a photo of a nicer instrument and that description (aside from the "hand made, so bad fit and finish" hogwash), you'd chalk it up to a builder who wasn't perhaps the greatest of writers, but could build a really nice mandolin.

Combined with the photographs of instruments that appear to be severely aesthetically challenged, and the warning that the maker is a smoker (??), it just looks sad.

Seriously, how can someone look at the shape of that "Les Paul-inspired" thing and not recognize the horrible problems of appearance alone? And the worst part is that is the second instrument of his that I've seen with that exact shape, which means that his template is what's really screwy.

Yeesh. Caveat emptor never got such a workout as it has since Ebay made it possible for almost anyone to sell their handmade "instruments" online.

[thistle3585]

I would say that his description has evolved over time in response to questions and comments about his instrument. I agree with Martin. I think he is trying to be genuine in his description. More so than most of these guys comparing their instrument to a Gibson.
Personally, I'm glad to see his instruments on ebay. It makes mine that more attractive and easier to sell.

Andrew

[delsbrother]

...And yet, I still crave a Wishnevsky.

[mrmando]

Yeah, what happened to Steve? He was pretty up front about his stuff without making all the excuses/apologies that Allen does.

[delsbrother]

I dunno...

Speaking of mandos only I could love, here's a Carvin emando. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Carvin-Mandoline-Electric_W0QQitemZ260086626682QQihZ016) Bunch of these around LA nowadays; but they're priced to the heavens.

[clem]

Speaking of mandos only I could love, here's a Carvin emando. Bunch of these around LA nowadays; but they're priced to the heavens.

Not just you my friend, I love me some Carvin e-mando.:laugh:
Clem

[Mastersound]

I'm with Andrew. It's easier for us to sell ours if other people's mandos look a bit agricultural or if they have Galveston on the headstock!

My eBay descriptions tend to evolve and become long winded too. By the time you've answered the same question 20 times you figure you might as well just include the info in the listing. You still get the tossers who go to the trouble to tell you that what you have for sale couldn't possibly be a mandolin becuse it only has 4 strings and doesn't look like something some famous dead bluegrass guy would have played, but I have a standard reply ready for cutting and pasting. ;-)

[thistle3585]

I've found that the more information I put in the more questions I get. I used to rate my finishes, because that was one area I recognized I struggled, but eventually gave up because people wanted very detailed photos of any finish issues, and then they would threaten to send it back. The last three I listed just the specs and haven't had anything but compliments. I think that some builders are self critical and are concerned about misrepresenting an item. Sometimes it comes across cheesy.

Its an ever evolving process, and each one is better than the last which is why the price goes up each time. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[mrmando]

Is that a guitar (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250087121003) on your mandolin, or are you just happy to see me?

[MandoSquirrel]

Wow, what an oddity! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mrmando]

My guess: Builder already had an electric archtop guitar and didn't want to bother removing all the electronics to install them in the mandolin. Solution was to cut off the guitar neck, bolt the instruments together, mount the guitar's pickup on the mando (leaving the other electronics intact inside the guitar), and voila!

[jefflester]

A couple from the same store in Newberg, OR:

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/5-String-Electric-Mandolin-Humbucker-Luthier-Built_W0QQitemZ150095661779QQihZ005QQcategory
Z10179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">RL Customs</a>

http://i22.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/8e/07/f3ad_1.JPG



<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Electric-Mandolin-w-Case-GD-Armstrong-Luthier-Built_W0QQitemZ150095664365QQihZ005QQcategor
yZ10179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">GD Armstrong</a>

http://i17.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/8e/08/4b4f_1.JPG

[delsbrother]

Five String Bacorn (http://cgi.ebay.com/Bacorn-5-String-Electric-Mandolin-USA_W0QQitemZ230097841487QQihZ013)

[delsbrother]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Double-Electric-Guitar-Mandolin-Very-Cool-Rare_W0QQitemZ220089524961QQcategoryZ119
094" target="_blank">Wacky doubleneck.</a>

[Joel Glassman]

And shoes to wear with your wacky doubleneck:
http://www.daddyos.com/retro/ldyshoe.jpg
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[mrmando]

Sorta Jaguarish (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120097327290&fromMakeTrack=true). Looks like the headstock is roughly as long as the fretboard...

I don't think I've had the pleasure before. Anyone recognize it? Japanese-looking sunburst and hardware.

[Daniel Nestlerode]

eesh. If I bought it, I would take it to someone and have the headstock reduced.

Daniel

[Christian McKee]

I have to admit that while I think it's pretty funny looking, I'm curious about the electronics package, for sure.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Perhaps a benefit of the headstock being nearly as big as the body: it serves as a counterbalance for the weight of the solid body. ;)

[mikeomando]

Eight on a side, we hardly knew ye. Thank God...

[mrmando]

You'd be likely to get you some major sus-tain with that kind of mass in the headstock. You could strum a chord and go out for coffee.

[delsbrother]

Kinda Ovation/Steve Klein-ish e-Cittern. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Custom-Made-10-String-Mandocello-Mando-Cello_W0QQitemZ280094841208) Just don't put too much pressure on that cutaway!

[MandoSquirrel]

"humbuckers wierd like a Les Paul with a Fender 3 way toggel. There is also a Fishman transducer pickup mounted in the bridge with it's own volume control and seperate input"

...so, does he think Les Pauls are weird, or did he mean "wired"? More interesting, the Fishman has "it's own volume control and seperate input" rather than Output; what does one plug INto the instrument?

[mrmando]

That cittern is at a local shop that always seems to dig up some weird stuff. Will try to get in there and play it.

[MandoSquirrel]

Actually, from the looks of it,if I had the $ and any reason(or excuse) to have such a thing, I might find that one tempting!

[jefflester]

Kentucky KM-300 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230106994594)

http://i17.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/93/8c/d960_1.JPG

[mrmando]

I wonder if the trapeze tailpiece helps this thing out in any way? (It's not original; they had a stock Gibson-style 2-piece tailpiece.)

[delsbrother]

OK guys, I think I have a winner here. While there are many strange e-mando/guit/lyr/dulci-whatevers on their site, BEHOLD the...

Banana Electric Harp Cittern (?) (http://cgi.ebay.com/8-Saitige-elektr-accoustic-Cister-Gitarre-Banana_W0QQitemZ7386292595)http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/durbien/bananadance.gif


I want it... But shipping + Euro exchange = way too expensive for what it is. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif


ps Love the scroll on the "stem" end.

[mikeomando]

Why do I check this thread every day? Because it brings me joy. Thank you, delsbrother.

[mrmando]

Holy freakin' beans! Where has Cassandra Elk been all my life? She gets a one-way ticket to the Emando Hall of Sh/Fame!

[Ted Eschliman]

"Form follows function" sagt der Instrumentenbauer, aber hier hab´ ich alles außer Acht gelassen und drauflos gebaut.

"Form follows function" says the instrument builder, but I ignored that completely and just built it."

Yup...

[mrmando]

Here's her Web site (http://www.bellandhead.de/), but no citterns there, just guitars. I guess eBay is good enough for 8-string one-offs.

[jefflester]

I guess eBay is good enough for 8-string one-offs.
Though she sure has a lot of them in her Ebay store (http://stores.ebay.com/C-E-D-Cassandra-Elk-Design) store, many of them less radical and look like modified mini-guitars. I like the "Mockin`-dola".

http://i18.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/8e/e6/2e0d_1.JPG
http://i3.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/93/ab/d49f_1.JPG
http://i6.ebayimg.com/04/i/07/2b/11/7b_1_b.JPG

[mrmando]

Couple of interesting Fender-related auctions here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300098034422) and here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330107769543).

I wonder whether the painter chose her colors arbitrarily? Very few blue ones were made.

[delsbrother]

Cooooool Dano shorthorn! (http://cgi.ebay.com/Harper-Electric-Mandolin-Danelectro-DC-Style-8-string_W0QQitemZ330108441400)

[jefflester]

Handley - auction about to close (http://cgi.ebay.com/4-String-Solid-Body-Electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ180106441809)

http://i3.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/98/7f/a748_12.JPG

[jefflester]

Tennessee ? doubleneck (http://cgi.ebay.com/Electric-Double-Neck-MANDOLIN-GUITAR-NEW-LOOK_W0QQitemZ300102806678)

http://i7.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/99/a5/ef9e_12_sb.JPG

[mrmando]

Peavey e-mando here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260109958657) is almost certainly the former property of Cafe member Jim Nollman (http://www.interspecies.com/pages/instruments.html). Probably the only extant e-mando actually used to communicate with whales.

[holdenzdad]

Definitely looks like it - I traded Jim for it a couple months ago - Jim was upfront about the string spacing - when I got it, it wasn't a good fit - I sold it locally - seems like they are fishing with that price.

[mrmando]

Fishing, eh? Maybe if they catch something, they can feed the whales with it...

[holdenzdad]

Thanks for the chuckle!

[delsbrother]

OK, it doesn't have a pickup, but it should! (http://cgi.ebay.com/Ratliff-Prototype-Hand-Crafted-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ270112201926)

ps Good to know it came from a highly educated previous owner...

[wichitamando]

The back on that is gorgeous!

[jmkatcher]

It's sort of Rigel G110ish.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Not one, but two mandocasters just listed:

1966 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230121578280&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:middle:us) -- I think this is the same one that keeps popping up with an starting price of $2K.

1957 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130105290174&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:middle:us) -- Their starting price for this one is $3K, so I guess they are counting on some Lawrence Welk fan paying a premiuim for it. (Apparently it was once owned by Neil LeVang of the LWO. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif )

[mrmando]

If you buy the LeVang here in the Classifieds, it's $3.5K. Hm...

A '57 in good condition might go for $3K regardless of who owned it. This one has a crumbling tuner button and the case is beat up, but the instrument looks good otherwise in the photo.

[Joel Glassman]

I was expecting a not-so-great design on the Peavey mando, but
the body looks rather nice...

[delsbrother]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Wishnevsky-Five-String-Electric-Mandolin-Uke-Thing_W0QQitemZ150118781482QQihZ005QQcategory
Z4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Eyaggghh!</a>

[thistle3585]

If Paul wins that I don't think the airline is going to let him carry that on when he goes back to Thailand. I want to see its case.

[PCypert]

I don't know how I'll get that thing back or if I'll ever even try. As it is I'll be coming back to Thailand from my summer visit with a Zouk and a new mandolin if all goes as planned. This thing will get me flagged for sure http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif But for 11 bucks I had to try. lol

Paul

[Jim M.]

Be the first on your block to own a Goth-Metal 'zouk:
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Gothic-Metal-bouzouki-octave-mandolin-mandola_W0QQitemZ300106812730QQihZ020QQcategoryZ10 17
9QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">electro zouk</a>

http://mitglied.lycos.de/springwalker/bath/1.jpg

[Ted Eschliman]

Paul, you could poke an eye out with that thing. I hope it comes with safety goggles.

[mrmando]

Any ideas about this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140116122488)?

It looks like the builder knew his/her stuff...

[mrmando]

Well, it's gone now, and I didn't win it. I thought, judging from the pickup placement, that it could just possibly have been built by Joe Glaser. In which case someone got a screamin' deal. But of course I have no proof.

[delsbrother]

I had to bid on this CUATRON. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220113147052)

[mrmando]

What's funny is it says "Ovation" in the description. Maybe the seller needs new reading glasses.

Not a bad price for an MM68 ... wonder what the reserve is?

[delsbrother]

Great price on a sweet little BC Rich Pentabass. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Miniature-Guitar-Alex-Gregory-B-C-Rich-Bass-Unique_W0QQitemZ220115693537QQihZ012)


Perfect for Spinal Tapping...

[pklima]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Double-....iewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Double-neck-Mandelon_W0QQitemZ160122948832QQihZ006QQcategoryZ2 384QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Whatever a mandelon is it sure ain't pretty.

[Jim MacDaniel]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Double-....iewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Double-neck-Mandelon_W0QQitemZ160122948832QQihZ006QQcategoryZ2 384QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Whatever a mandelon is it sure ain't pretty.
I didn't know Dr. Frankenstein built mandolins?

[Tom C]

Qoute: delsbrother" Great price on a sweet little BC Rich Pentabass. Perfect for Spinal Tapping..."

If you are a prety small person.......
It's a 9” Miniature Replica Model Guitar

[mrmando]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Double-....iewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Double-neck-Mandelon_W0QQitemZ160122948832QQihZ006QQcategoryZ2 384QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Whatever a mandelon is it sure ain't pretty.
5-string neck is definitely from a StewMac kit. Makes you wonder what they did with the rest of the kit. Strap looks like a dog leash, which might or might not be appropriate.

Niles baby, this one's for you!

[delsbrother]

Qoute: delsbrother" Great price on a sweet little BC Rich Pentabass. Perfect for Spinal Tapping..."

If you are a prety small person.......
It's a 9” Miniature Replica Model Guitar
Tom, that's what I meant by "little". I guess I should've said Stonehenging.


The Tap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3PTVQ6UJ8U)

[wichitamando]

Never heard of a Contessa, but this is kind of cool. I like the soundholes.

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/1972-Contessa-Klira-Framus-German-electric-mandolin_W0QQitemZ300115468704QQihZ020QQcategor

yZ10179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">1972 Contessa</a>

[jmkatcher]

I wish I had the money for this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190123468944).

[mrmando]

Holy St. George (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190124253904)...

Rono (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250131331324&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015) baritone reso (yeah, I bought it)

McHugh (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230142255098) copy of ASR Minieball ... interesting story on this one

Update on the Rono auction: it's a fraud. Listing says the instrument's in Bethel, CT, and shipping is free. Now I'm being asked to send money to Shreveport, LA, and add $30 for shipping. Google reveals that Rono himself posted the same description and photos on Craig's List (http://denver.craigslist.org/msg/349968350.html) a few days ago. So what I'm looking at is copy & photos nicked from CL, posted using a hijacked eBay account, methinks.

[mrmando]

Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280127018796) there be Alvarez.

Und ein EM-200 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160129896882).

[Jim MacDaniel]

Looks like a company called Alden is importing the Tele-inspired mandocaster into the UK, and they offer more colors than Eastman currently does for the US:

Butterscotch (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120131922789&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:middle:us)

Seafoam green (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=120132203672&rd=1&rd=1)

Red (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=120132651798&rd=1&rd=1)

I emailed Eastman these links yesterday, asking them if they will be importing any of them into the US. I'm glad I haven't puchased one yet, as I hope they consider importing the Red or Seafoam color. (I can't make up my mind regarding which of these two I like better. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif )

[mrmando]

Ooh. Me like the Seafoam. Only Alden I've seen before was a sunburst. These are PacRim built, then?

[jmkatcher]

They're just like the Eastwoods, only in different colors.

[jefflester]

Und ein EM-200 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160129896882).
Seems like most of the recent ones (last year or two) have been in very good shape. Curious to see where this one goes since it's a little beat up and not completely original. That gouge on the top bass side near the tailpiece and the scrapes near the bridge look a little nasty. I may drive down and have a look at it. The reserve is higher than $1200. :-)

[jefflester]

Und ein EM-200 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160129896882).
Seems like most of the recent ones (last year or two) have been in very good shape. Curious to see where this one goes since it's a little beat up and not completely original. That gouge on the top bass side near the tailpiece and the scrapes near the bridge look a little nasty. I may drive down and have a look at it. The reserve is higher than $1200. :-)
This one's got a different (original?) pickguard. It wraps around the pickup, but it's not the curving pickguard of later years. Maybe this was an interim design between the pickguard not wrapping around and the curved one.

http://www.thegeartrader.com/ebay/2007_06_19/IMG_1617.JPG

[thistle3585]

Great photos. I've never seen a shot of the bridge like that before. Do they intonate worth a darn? Doesn't seem to be compensated at all.

Andrew

[jefflester]

Und ein EM-200 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160129896882).
Seems like most of the recent ones (last year or two) have been in very good shape. Curious to see where this one goes since it's a little beat up and not completely original. That gouge on the top bass side near the tailpiece and the scrapes near the bridge look a little nasty. I may drive down and have a look at it. The reserve is higher than $1200. :-)
It went up to $1556 but reserve not met. I haven't managed to make it down there. From the condition I think the reserve was too high.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Anyone ever see one of these (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=220125962185&rd=1&rd=1) before? The description suggests it may be a vintage Japanese or Italian instrument, but it looks rather crude in the closeups, expecially regarding the pickup installation, bridge, pickguard, and fretboard.

[Christian McKee]

That looks just like the Russian/Soviet no names that are pictured on emando.com in the "no names" section.

What we need is a 60 year old electric mandolinist from St. Petersburg...

Christian

[jefflester]

No mention in the description of whether those tuners actually work. The screws look completely disintegrated or corroded over.

[delsbrother]

*sniff sniff* One of those (we decided it was an eDomra, IIRC) was what started this thread, many moons ago... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mrmando]

Yep. This seller is fairly knowledgeable about instruments, so I'm puzzled as to why he'd suggest it was "ready to go" when the tuning gears are such a mess.

[thistle3585]

*sniff sniff* One of those (we decided it was an eDomra, IIRC) was what started this thread, many moons ago... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
You know, if we posted the photos instead of the links we sure would have a nice electric archive with pricing to boot. Then we could look back and say, "Boy, remember when that edomra went for $8.00 and now they're going for $16.00. If only I had gotten it then."

[Jim MacDaniel]

*sniff sniff* One of those (we decided it was an eDomra, IIRC) was what started this thread, many moons ago... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
You know, if we posted the photos instead of the links we sure would have a nice electric archive with pricing to boot. #Then we could look back and say, "Boy, remember when that edomra went for $8.00 and now they're going for $16.00. #If only I had gotten it then."
Good idea -- moving forward, I'll post pics with my auction links, starting now. (Hmmmm, I wonder if we should follow up with the final price of the auction for archival/reference purposes?)

[mrmando]

Well, the seller says the tuners still work despite the rust, and is insisting that this is a lefty even though it's strung righty. I have seen four of these beasts on eBay (assuming some of them weren't duplicates) and they all have the knobs in the same place. Don't know that it's so much lefty setup as it is bad design.

[mrmando]

The infamous Sorina (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220126796957) doubleneck. One of the coolest of the Asian factory electrics. This is at least the 3rd time on eBay for this instrument; seller is the guy who bought it the first time. (Same seller as the e-domra.) I think his kid played it in a rock band for a year or so. Guess it didn't sell the second time it was up.

Also a cool '56 blonde Mandocaster (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180135362790) with slab body. Might actually sell even though the starting bid is on the high side.

[12 fret]

The listing for the Sorina says its a copy of a Gibson. Anybody seen an even remotely similar Gibson?

[mrmando]

No. Imaginative fellow, that seller. Just because some joker stuck a couple of Gibson decals on that instrument (they were there before he bought it) doesn't make it a Gibson copy.

Update: Looks like eBay canceled his auction (again) for making too much of the Gibson decals. Some guys never learn.

[delsbrother]

Lefty Kent! (http://cgi.ebay.com/Lefty-1960s-Kent-744-Electric-Mandolin-Left-Handed_W0QQitemZ280130681625QQihZ018)

[mrmando]

Nine frets (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150139491000)? I guess that's all some people need. It's not fretless, but it's half fretless!

And the infamous Sorina (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220128447823) finally returns. I predict: if eBay doesn't pull this ad again because the seller insists on calling it a "Gibson model," then the seller himself will pull it when he realizes he forgot to set a reserve price.

[mrmando]

Lefty Kent! (http://cgi.ebay.com/Lefty-1960s-Kent-744-Electric-Mandolin-Left-Handed_W0QQitemZ280130681625QQihZ018)
Righty Kent! (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160135280756)

A mirror-image pair. Except for the mods on the righty. The seller doesn't mention it, but that's not an original bridge.

[delsbrother]

Longer scale length = reduced string tension?

[mrmando]

Um, no. In fact, quite the opposite, all other things being equal. If you don't change the gauge of the string or the pitch to which it is being tuned, but you add an inch to the scale length, then there will be MORE tension on the string when it is brought to pitch.

That's why you want a set of light-gauge strings if you're going to try to tune one of these Kents as a standard mandolin.

[delsbrother]

Yeah, I was responding to the "prose" in the ad... My fingertips certainly agree with your statements!

[mrmando]

Oh...
Gotcha.
You have one of these, don'tcha Darrell?

[delsbrother]

Yeah, I got a white one awhile back. Real cheese slicer at standeard pitch; positively grunge-inducing at emandola tuning. The one in the ad has a nicely flamed back, though...

One of these days I'm going to have to post some pix in the "groupings" thread. With my recent purchase of a pancake mandola, I now have enough instruments to have both electric and acoustic mandolin quartets! I don't know if that's something to be proud of...

Now I need a multitrack recorder. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mrmando]

I figure the Kent 744 would be an ideal instrument for Yank Rachell tuning...

[delsbrother]

Strat Style e-OM, CHEAP! (http://cgi.ebay.com/Great-Strat-mandola-Electric-octave-mandolin_W0QQitemZ300128375527QQihZ020)

I've seen this one up many times with no takers. Not sure if it's the distance/shipping, or the mini guitar neck, or (for me) what looks like too wide string spacing... Or the fact as mentioned above I have too many instruments I don't play enough... But FWIW never seen a three pickup emando in this scale length. Wouldn't be hard to swap in a five way switch, too. I wonder how many polepieces are under there.

[delsbrother]

OK Martin, whattdyaknow about this one? (http://cgi.ebay.com/4-course-8-string-elec-mandolin-1958-historic-only-1-NR_W0QQitemZ260138543769)

[mrmando]

I know what's in the eBay ad, and not a thing more. What a fantastic crazy instrument. I don't know why, but I find stuff like that very appealing.

I know the gentleman who bought the Bell&Head Strat-style e-OM from Germany, and I asked him to let me know what he thinks of it when it arrives.

[delsbrother]

I think emando.com ought purchase and re-release those albums! I'd buy one, at least! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Christian McKee]

That's pretty cool! By coincidence, I was the first of five generations in my family to be born somewhere other than Placerville. Who knew there was a regional electric mandolin tradition? I've got email pending to some family members to see if I can dig anything else up on this guy.

Christian

[Jim MacDaniel]

A new <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-WITH-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-NECK_W0QQitemZ190131571750QQihZ009QQcategoryZ10

179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Tennessee double-neck</a> http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Kid Charlemagne]

A new <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-WITH-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-NECK_W0QQitemZ190131571750QQihZ009QQcategoryZ10



179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Tennessee double-neck</a> http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Sometimes I think makers just completely eschew any sense of aesthetics or style when they build these things.

I'm sure there are folks out there who appreciate instruments that are that ugly, but I can't for the life of me imagine that there are enough of them to make it worthwhile. It would seem that if you could build one of those, you could probably manage a better design that would do the same thing and not look like two necks stuck on a melted guitar.

[Martin Jonas]

I know the gentleman who bought the Bell&Head Strat-style e-OM from Germany, and I asked him to let me know what he thinks of it when it arrives.
I'm not that gentleman, but I've also just bought one of them -- at less than half the price of the one linked in the previous post, I'm pleased to say. Unlike the other one, this one has a "Cassandra Elk" logo on the headstock.

Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170131588259)

I'll have this sent to my parents in Germany (I'm in the UK), who live very close to the seller, so I'll only get it when I visit them in September. I'll report what I think.

I suspect that it's basically a modified mini guitar, but I'll see whether the pickups have been changed from six-pole to four-pole. It's so little money, I thought it's worthwhile to satisfy my curiosity.

From the seller's other item descriptions, it seems that he or she is involved in the rather weird but incredibly popular music genre of German Medieval (which is rather a mis-nomer, as it's really a crossover of goth metal and Fairport Convention-style electric folk-rock), so the eight-stringers are intended as gothy electric versions of folk instruments. Seems they have some professionals in that genre playing their instruments, so I would hope there is some sort of quality control and setup involved.

Martin

[delsbrother]

Wow, I didn't make the connection with the Elk and her instruments. Whodathunkit, TEKNO actually alive and well in Germany. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Django Fret]

Interesting old Framus Electric Mandolin (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220132576215&indexURL=2&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting)

[delsbrother]

That Framus mando is COOL!

Check out the PICKUP (http://cgi.ebay.com/VEGA-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-RARE-EARLY-30S-DOUBLE-BLADE-P-U_W0QQitemZ280137008419QQihZ018) on this baby!

[Martin Jonas]

Wow, I didn't make the connection with the Elk and her instruments. Whodathunkit, TEKNO actually alive and well in Germany. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Having communicated with "Cassandra Elk", I can now say that it's a "he", actually -- an ex-pat Brit living in Germany.

There's an interview with him (in German) here (http://www.minnesang.com/int-cassandra-elk.html), mostly about the strange mandola/waldzither/dulcimer hybrid he's built, and he has a homepage here (http://www.cassandraelk.de/) (also in German only). Looks like the more conventional instruments are modified Tele or Strat copies (which was sort of obvious anyway) and the more homemade-looking ones are from reclaimed waste timber.

Incidentally, for those who are curious, here are a few Youtube clips from this rather pantomime genre (these bands have loads more clips on Youtube, if you search for them, and there are dozens more bands like it):

Subway To Sally (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ9_ji-ydro)
Subway To Sally 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IHfY2QwybE)
Schandmaul (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKmx0Ubaldc)

Martin

[mrmando]

Having communicated with "Cassandra Elk", I can now say that it's a "he", actually -- an ex-pat Brit living in Germany.
Would that be Stu Bilcock, then?

[delsbrother]

MartinJ, I hate to make generalizations because I can't speak the language, but I get nervous when I see skinheads shout-singing in German... Especially when it's translated as:

Blood blood thiefs are drinking Blood
Robbery murdering and attacks are good
High from the Gallow you hear it
High from the Gallow you hear it
Robbery murdering and attacks are good

In short:

Goth chick on eviolin w/leather boots = good
Topless male piper = not so good
Skinhead guys in furs = yikes.

Is this genre ultra right-wing/racist? If so I'm not quite so sure I want to look into it*. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif I certainly hope not; any genre that can at least tangentially be linked to a banana shaped harp-e-cittern has to have some redeeming qualities...

TEKNO = LOVE #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

*then again, a lot of speed metal in this country is full of racist #### as well...

[Martin Jonas]

Is this genre ultra right-wing/racist? If so I'm not quite so sure I want to look into it*. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif I certainly hope not; any genre that can at least tangentially be linked to a banana shaped harp-e-cittern has to have some redeeming qualities...

TEKNO = LOVE http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

*then again, a lot of speed metal in this country is full of racist #### as well...
This scene has really come up in the last ten years or so, and I haven't lived in Germany since 1993, so I'm probably not the right person to ask about the sociography of their fans. In the songs I've linked, and in the (few) other songs I've heard from these particular bands, there are no racist or nationalist connotations -- the particular song you've translated is a mock-ancient take-off of murder ballads and the like, nothing more sinister than that (the song is called "Julia and the Robbers" and this lyric fragment seems to be the robber's chorus), and the unison chanting seems fairly untypical of the genre (I haven't seen it in any other clips). I find the genre dubious on musical grounds, as I don't think the synthethis between the folk elements and the metal/goth elements is particularly successful, but not on idealogical grounds. It's fun in small doses, but I wouldn't listen to an entire album.

I can't vouch for the entire genre, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if there is some fringe overlap with racist speed metal groups, but I as far as I can tell from some web searches (as I say, I don't live in Germany) there is no particular association in the media or blog coverage of this music with racist lyrics or with neo-nazi supporters, in contrast to the goth metal scene, which does have these associations. The Youtube clips are concert footage transmitted by the public TV broadcasters (Germany's equivalent of the BBC), which wouldn't happen if they were thought to be racist or right wing. Also, the audience one sees in these clips is not a skinhead or goth audience, but fairly mainstream German kids (these bands are top-ten album chart acts!). So, I think (and hope) that you've misinterpreted the connotations. However, in the end I know barely more about them than you do, except that I have the advantage of being a native German speaker.

Mr Mando: yes, "Cassandra Elk" is Stu Bilcock.

Martin

[delsbrother]

Thanks, MartinJ. I apologize for being so stereotypical.

[Martin Jonas]

No problem. Having just looked at the clips again, what strikes me is that this is fundamentally happy music -- think Spinal Tap meets A Mighty Wind -- and that the bands and the audience are having good fun. Silly, yes, sinister, no. There are MySpace pages with blurbs in English:

Schandmaul (http://www.myspace.com/schandmaulmusic) (musically the more interesting one, really, but without mando)
Subway To Sally (http://www.myspace.com/subwaytosally)

As far as the visual image is concerned, maybe this clip is less disturbing (if more off-topic in this thread):

Schandmaul unplugged (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYuCVhjz42o&mode=related&search=) (with string section)

To bring this back to mando-related stuff, here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170078425355) is Cassandra Elk's "Subway To Sally" signature model 8-string cittern.

Martin

[Jim MacDaniel]

...To bring this back to mando-related stuff, here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170078425355) is Cassandra Elk's "Subway To Sally" signature model 8-string cittern.

Martin
That reminded me of this one-of-a-kind emando built by this guy (http://wildwoodinstruments.com.au/) in Australia...

http://wildwoodinstruments.com.au/shooting.jpg

[mrmando]

Obviously Ingo Hampf of S2S deserves a page on emando.com. I already have a page for his Kreuchwig tripleneck...

What's the red thing on the Elk photo?

Hardly anything is one-of-a-kind except the Beswick, and who knows? Another of those might turn up someday.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Hardly anything is one-of-a-kind except the Beswick, and who knows? Another of those might turn up someday.
True enough -- thanks to the internet, one-of-a-kind status for anything interesting is likely to be short-lived. (However, on opccassion we've all seen some b*tt-ugly handmade instruments on eBay, that are unlikely to be copied by anyone else. ;)

[mrmando]

(However, on opccassion we've all seen some b*tt-ugly handmade instruments on eBay, that are unlikely to be copied by anyone else. ;)
Except by the guy who made the first one!

[Martin Jonas]

What's the red thing on the Elk photo?
I suspect it might be a backstage pass -- from the Elk web site I gather that this was an early prototype which the band signed for the maker when he visited them backstage after a gig on their "unplugged" tour, where they were playing it. The versions currently on sale (at the Ebay link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170078425355) in my previous message) look rather sleeker. He also refers to "lots of hidden secrets inside the body", whatever that means (maybe a resonator of some kind). It's also designed to be alternatively played standing up like a guitar or mandola, or flat on a table like a dulcimer or zither.

Martin

[mrmando]

So Martin, did you catch the maker's real name? When these instruments first appeared on eBay, they were credited to Joe Buckler and Stewart Bilcock:

http://www.emando.com/builders/Buckler_Bilcock.htm

[Martin Jonas]

A man of many names, clearly. The e-mails I got were sent from an e-mail adress starting with "cassandraelk@...", had "Joe Buckler" in the "From:" field and were signed by "Stuart Bilcock". Subsequent e-mails were signed "Stu". I think Bilcock is the actual maker: his name appears in the postal address given by Ebay and, probably more reliably, as the responsible person in the legalese disclaimer on the Elk web page (under German law, all web page owners are well-advised to have a disclaimer like this with the address of a traceable real person). Everything on the web page and the Ebay listing is written in the singular "I", not plural "we", so I think there's only one actual builder. No idea where the name "Joe Buckler" fits in. Maybe another pseudonym just like "Cassandra Elk".

Martin

[Martin Jonas]

Obviously Ingo Hampf of S2S deserves a page on emando.com. I already have a page for his Kreuchwig tripleneck...
Looks like he plays that Kreuchwig tripleneck in this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOqwdQ_SwmI&mode=related&search=) clip. Some nice close-ups. Quite a beast!

Martin

[Jim MacDaniel]

(However, on opccassion we've all seen some b*tt-ugly handmade instruments on eBay, that are unlikely to be copied by anyone else. ;)
Except by the guy who made the first one!
LOL!

[delsbrother]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/FRAMUS-ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-W-CASE-STRINGS-COOL_W0QQitemZ250149176163QQcmdZViewItem?
hash=item250149176163" target="_blank">Another Framus Catseye.</a>

[Django Fret]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-KENT-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-1960S-VERY-KOOL_W0QQitemZ200136700613QQihZ010QQcategoryZ101

79QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">60"s Kent</a>

[mrmando]

All right, which one of you turkeys outbid me on the Kent?

That would look nice next to Blondie.

[delsbrother]

Not me. That looks just like mine, tho. Wait a minute, better check under my bed...

[mrmando]

Ooooooh... a minty fresh '56 Mandocaster (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120150162515).

A certain dealer has one of these that isn't nearly this nice, and wants more than this for it. I'm just sayin'.

Also a cool '58 burst (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230151506629) in good shape, but unfortunately caseless.

[Ted Eschliman]

Intriguing: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Jazz-Mandola-Prototype-Benedetto-jazz-pickup-case_W0QQitemZ160146051325QQihZ006QQcategoryZ
10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Jazz Mandola Prototype</a>.

[Ken Sager]

They saw you coming, Ted!

[mrmando]

Well, I finally slew the E-MAS dragon (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180145592037) with this St. George.

The last one to sell had a busted headstock and the electronics were toast, and it went for more than this!

Someone's listed one a couple of times starting at $500, and of course it didn't get any bids.

[mikeomando]

Congrats on the St. George, mrmando. I thought seriously about bidding on it, but then decided to pay the rent. Another foolish decision.
I saw 4 mandocasters on the wall of a huge guitar store here in Chicago last week. They had a 50's one that looks just like the one on Ebay. They were asking $7000. I held it in my hands. It didn't feel like $7000.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Did it feel like $3198? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[KNP String Band Mando]

The morgan monroe dola is sweet looking, except for the headstock that says Morgan Monroe, and isnt the headstock backwards(big scroll on bass side)?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif weird.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Did it feel like $3198? #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Correction: did it feel like $2,799? (The price dropped on the eBay blonde ;)

[mrmando]

Alex Gregory, who's a bit of a fanatic about Mandocasters, says the '58s and '59s are more desirable. I guess those are the only two years where you get a contour body and a maple neck. Apparently the slab-body instruments, like the blonde on eBay, aren't as comfortable to play.

[mikeomando]

I think it was either a '56 or a '58. Old strings, out of tune, looks like the one that is now $2799 on Ebay, except it is more 'distressed'. I tried to tune it, and the neck was maple and chunky, for lack of a better word. Thick and rounded. It has that vintage mojo, which is worth it for some people, but maybe not so much for me. I think a vintage mandocaster probably won't sell for $2800, but I've been wrong before. Ask anyone...

[mikeomando]

And, of course, somebody bought it for $2799 after my last post. If it's a cafe member, post a review. That's the most I've seen a mandocaster go for.

[mrmando]

Well, St. George galloped up to my door today.

The seller had simply wrapped the case in bubble wrap, taped some butcher paper around that, and taken it to the post office. He did make a halfhearted attempt to cushion the headstock by sticking an old FedEx bubble mailer around it. But there was still plenty of room for the headstock to move around in the case. The bubble mailer did a nice job of catching the headstock scroll when it broke off.

Note: This is after I sent the seller a link to Frank Ford's page on packing guitars for shipment, which he completely ignored.

No insurance tag on the package, but it wouldn't matter, because this is 100% the seller's fault. Dang. That's two instruments shipped to me in a week with damage (the other one is obviously the result of rough handling by UPS, and we already have a claim going).

What would you guys do, in my shoes?

[delsbrother]

Wow, what a shame. Personally I'd ask for a refund and send it back. Or ask for money back from them for the repair. But if s/he was so clueless before I don't know how they'd respond. If you like it (and you say you're happy with the price) then I'd say glue it back on and give them negative feedback. If you used PayPal I think there's a way to get a little money back, but I'm not sure if you have to give up the mando.

[Jim MacDaniel]

That's a bummer, and I'm with DB on this: I would work with the seller for a refund if you want to return it, or for a partial refund to cover repairs if you want to keep it -- and escalate to Paypal and eBay if the seller is uncooperative. (Note: from previous experience, even if it was shipped insured, there is a risk that the shipper might not honor the insurance claim due to the ###### job of packing the instrument.)

[mrmando]

Well, seller says it's his first time shipping an instrument, and that the Postal Service actually advised him to pack it this way. (Now if only he'd bothered to insure it, he'd have a claim!) Says he didn't see the link about packing that I sent him. Silly me, I shoulda made sure he'd seen it before I paid.

Asked for a photo and a repair estimate, and seems willing to give back some dough, so I'll probably keep the instrument and go that route. Seller did threaten to reciprocate any negative feedback he got -- which is bogus; my part in the transaction was fulfilled when I sent the money.

Lesson 1: Never assume your seller knows what he's doing. Lesson 2: Never assume the Postal Service or a shipping company knows how to pack instruments. I bought a mandolin from a certain Cafe member; said member dropped it off at some mom & pop packaging place to be shipped to me; the packaging place found a box a little bigger than the case, stuck the case in it, and sent it via UPS with NO PACKING MATERIAL OR CUSHIONING OF ANY KIND. Fortunately the mandolin survived.

I'm bidding on another nice instrument that as of this writing is an astronomical deal, thousands below its value, and I get the impression the seller isn't experienced with handling instruments. If I win, you can bet this seller is going to get detailed shipping instructions from me, and must indicate that he/she has read them, before I fork over a dime.

[jefflester]

Pretty wine red Old Town (http://cgi.ebay.com/Electric-Mandolin-made-by-Doug-ODell-Old-Town-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ140148789649)

http://i10.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/b0/46/baa7_12.JPG

[Keith Miller]

this on ebay UK

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-electro-acoustic-electric-MANDOLIN-with-hard-case_W0QQitemZ190144300110QQihZ009QQcate
goryZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Amazing mandolin</a>

[Jim MacDaniel]

this on ebay UK

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-electro-acoustic-electric-MANDOLIN-with-hard-case_W0QQitemZ190144300110QQihZ009QQcate



goryZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Amazing mandolin</a>
I've seen one of these before, also on UK eBay, about two years ago I think. (In the same green/blue color as the one on Martin's web site in the inactive builders section.)

[jim simpson]

Check out this Ebay mandolin/guitar/Item number: 190122413863
The seller has a lot of dual instrument combos:

[Martin Jonas]

1962 Mandocaster (http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270158310287) in white.

Martin

[Martin Jonas]

this on ebay UK

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-electro-acoustic-electric-MANDOLIN-with-hard-case_W0QQitemZ190144300110QQihZ009QQcate

goryZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Amazing mandolin</a>
I put in what I thought was a low-ball bid, and won it. So, this is going to come my way. I don't really have an idea of whether it's going to be nice, as all I know about it is what the seller says, and Martin's page on Amazing at Emando.com. Unfortunately, using a word like "Amazing" as your brand name is spectacularly Google-unfriendly: the term "Amazing Musical Instrument Company" gives only one useful hit (a not entirely favourable review of their violin) and any suitably wider search terms such as "Amazing Musical Instrument" or "Amazing mandolin" gives hundreds of thousands.

However, I do like the looks rather a lot, and I think that this colour looks much classier than the green in the Emando picture. I also like the concept: basically a solid-body acoustic mandolin. I figure that a decent piezo pickup costs around 100 Pounds in the UK, so the price I paid for a well-made (judging from the photos) instrument with a (hopefully) decent pickup and hard case can't be bad.

Martin

[Jim MacDaniel]

Be sure to give us a review once your receive it Martin -- I for one am jealous, as that is a wicked looking little axe.

[tannisroot]

Here's one: #&lt;inappropriate posting deleted by moderator&gt;

[mrmando]

Geez, tannisroot, that's another posting violation. Get a clue. You're not supposed to post links to your own auction.

[mrmando]

In other news, once a year or so, the rare National Silvo (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120160205559) comes out to bask in the sun on eBay.

There's also one for sale at Sylvan Music in Santa Cruz, which is where I got mine. I wonder who their source is?

NFI in either, natch.

[delsbrother]

That's a neat case - does yours look like that, Martin? I wonder if all the "pear shaped" instruments came in triangular cases like that (but with different neck lengths). I've always seen these thrown in banjo cases.

[mrmando]

Yes, in fact, that is the original case and I have one just like it. But the first Silvo I saw in person did live in a banjo case.

I used to have a Triolian mando (traded it for the Silvo) and now I can't remember if it had the original case or not. My Triolian tenor (not a pear shape) came in a cheap, disintegrating chipboard number.

[John Hill]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Rouge-Double-neck-Mandolin-Guitar_W0QQitemZ220147579101QQihZ012QQcategoryZ414 23QQss
PageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Now here's a winner!</a>

[mrmando]

Ah yes, the Michael Bolt-On signature model.

[Martin Jonas]

I've just received the two Ebay e-mandos I mentioned above, i.e. the Cassandra Elk (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170131588259) strat-type octave e-mando and the Amazing (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190144300110) solid body piezo thingy.

I'll post some photos in the pictures section later, but first impressions are:

Cassandra Elk:

Considering the price, this is surprisingly well-made and setup. Clearly, all the components are stock parts with some minimal customisation, but they seem well-chosen and go together well. The neck is a mini guitar neck, with a recut guitar nut. It's unfinished and really smooth and comfy, radiussed fretboard, nice low action, truss rod. The bridge is a modified bass bridge, taking ball-end strings. No idea about the pickups: the black plastic cover won't come off easily, so I can't see whether it's six-pole, four-pole or blade. Volume is pretty balanced across the four courses, though, maybe just a touch too quiet on the lowest course, which may be because of the heavy gauge .056" strings rather than the pickups. It's debatable whether having three pickups really works: the neck and centre pickups sound identical to me, so although there is a proper five-way switch, four of the positions sound almost the same and only the use of the bridge pickup is significantly different. It is a nice fat tone, though, and through my cheapo 15W Orange practice amp sounds pretty powerful to me whether clean or distorted. I suspect that Mr Bilcock installed the pickups himself, rather than just using the entire mini-Strat body with all the stock electronics: the white cover plate is clearly home-cut and has slightly rough edges that one wouldn't see on a factory instrument.

The biggest problem with this instrument is the neck width: it's a guitar neck and has a guitar neck width, which is somewhat uncomfortable for people used to typical OM/zouk necks. It's not the widest guitar neck ever, and it's not too much of an imposition, but not ideal. Understandable, though: narrowing that neck would throw all of the standard components used in assembly out of balance and would require much more extensive (and expensive) modifications.

All in all, for the price I paid (99 Euro), this is amazing value and great fun! I've seen them offered at Ebay UK and US for a good deal more than twice that price, and then it gets a bit more marginal. Still, there's not much competition in the eight-string electric OM market, so this is probably the default choice.

Amazing:

I've only just unpacked this and haven't plugged it in yet. First impressions: nicely made instrument, very sleek if perhaps a bit redder than in the Ebay photos. Korian nut, radiussed ebony fretboard, standard adjustable rosewood bridge. The tailpiece takes loop-end strings, which surprises me as I thought it would take ball-ends. There's a stamped serial number (257) and a transfer-printed logo. Haven't opened the pickup cavity yet, where there may be a label, too. Looks pretty immaculate, anyway -- I haven't plugged it in yet, so can't say anything about the tone. As it's a piezo, it may take well to playing through my Pandora PX4A acoustic effects box -- let's see.

Martin

[delsbrother]

Hi Martin,

Thanks for the reviews. Just from the pix on the auction that string spacing between courses on the Elk looked a little wide to me. Now that you've confirmed it (and since you've said you don't really experience the "in-between" tones associated with a 3 pickup instrument) I'll know to steer clear of these.

Meanwhile back on the 'Bay, for some reason I found <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Crafter-M75-E-Mandolin-acoustic-electric-round-hole-BAG_W0QQitemZ330165330074QQihZ014QQcat



egoryZ10179" target="_blank">this one</a> strangely attractive.

[mrmando]

yipes, don't bid on that second one. she needs it more than you do.

[Christian McKee]

Well that was unexpected. I did find myself reading the seller's statement very carefully to make sure I know what I'd be bidding on...

Christian

[delsbrother]

yipes, don't bid on that second one. she needs it more than you do.
Yeah, I think this thread is as much about how people use eBay as it is about emandos. Sorry if I offended anyone with that second link. I removed it - you'll just have to find it yourselves!

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC-8-AND-10-STRING-NECK-MANDOLIN_W0QQitemZ190135942046QQihZ009QQcategor
yZ10179" target="_blank">Here's another one (or is that two)</a> to redeem myself.

[Martin Jonas]

Thanks for the reviews. Just from the pix on the auction that string spacing between courses on the Elk looked a little wide to me. Now that you've confirmed it (and since you've said you don't really experience the "in-between" tones associated with a 3 pickup instrument) I'll know to steer clear of these.
It is pretty wide, but one gets used to it. Nut width is 41mm (1-11/16") and string spacing is 33mm (1-3/8").

Having experimented a bit with my amp and that five-way switch, I would now say that there is a distinct difference between the neck and centre pickups after all, so the switch does give you some tonal variety.

I've posted some photos of the Elk and the Amazing here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=47084)

Martin

[mrmando]

DjangoFret, some folks might find your post offensive. Darrell already deleted his link to this same auction.

Just because some eBayer has bad taste doesn't mean we have to drag it into this thread.

I mean, if I never see another Fender FM-52E in my life, it'll be too soon. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Django Fret]

DjangoFret, some folks might find your post offensive. Darrell already deleted his link to this same auction.

Just because some eBayer has bad taste doesn't mean we have to drag it into this thread.

I mean, if I never see another Fender FM-52E in my life, it'll be too soon. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
In that case, consider it deleted.

[Keith Miller]

electro harp mando. from the bay

[Django Fret]

Here is a newer, four-string <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Left-Handed-Ryder-Electric-Octave-Mandolin-EOM-44_W0QQitemZ250166173840QQihZ015QQcategoryZ


2384QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Left Handed Ryder</a>

[jefflester]

DjangoFret, some folks might find your post offensive. Darrell already deleted his link to this same auction.

Just because some eBayer has bad taste doesn't mean we have to drag it into this thread.

I mean, if I never see another Fender FM-52E in my life, it'll be too soon. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Maybe it should go in the women with mandolins picture thread? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Jim MacDaniel]

DjangoFret, some folks might find your post offensive. Darrell already deleted his link to this same auction.

Just because some eBayer has bad taste doesn't mean we have to drag it into this thread.

I mean, if I never see another Fender FM-52E in my life, it'll be too soon. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Maybe it should go in the women with mandolins picture thread? #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
I suspect the objection was more about the picture's plywood content. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Django Fret]

I mean, if I never see another Fender FM-52E in my life, it'll be too soon. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Maybe it should go in the women with mandolins picture thread? #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif[/quote]
I suspect the objection was more about the picture's plywood content. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif[/QUOTE]
I'm just glad it wasn't a Crafter mandolin!

[delsbrother]

Tell us what you really think about your latest ebay emando purchase. (http://cgi.ebay.com/SIENNA-SUNBURTS-SOLID-BODY-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-2-PICKUPS_W0QQitemZ320162934271QQihZ011)

[mrmando]

What gets me is that there's actually a bid on it.

You could hang it on a wall and say it's from Picasso's Late Frustrated Period.

[ilovemyF9]

Ouchhhhh! I would not touch it for .25 cents. Or better still maybe I should buy it and do the old Brooklyn, NY street trick. Your on the corner and as a car passes you, you knock on the side of the car and give out a BIG, "Oh S@#$!!!"OHHHHH OWWWW Oh the Pain” , wait, if you are in Brooklyn it would be more like " EHHH da pain, Jesus H. Christmas DA pain." Then you bring out this baby and say' Jez look at what you did to my NEW EXPENSIVE Mandolin. It is in 2 pieces. It’s all broken.” Then you lay on the big Oscar Winning acting role. You go up and down the corner, DAAAA PAIN, DAAAA PAIN." Now you tell the poor person, "oh, man if you give a $100 I will forget about and get my Mandolin Fixed" Let me/us know how much you got out of the poor soul........???

(ALL IN JEST, OF COURSE....)

[delsbrother]

Why this thread is here. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Custom-Handmade-Acoustic-electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ230176383067QQihZ013QQcategoryZ1 0179)

[mikeomando]

Another reason why this thread is here. (http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=25199&query=retrieval)
NFI, which is a shame whenever 10 large is in play...

[Antlurz]

Now you tell the poor person, "oh, man if you give a $100 I will forget about and get my Mandolin Fixed" Let me/us know how much you got out of the poor soul........???
$700. It was going really good till I picked the same taxi twice. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Ron

[ilovemyF9]

Hey up, Ron- 700 Large. Nice work old-boy!! Yeah, those Taxi cabs can sure look alike. Oh well, better luck next time....

[Turner Burner]

Pretty wine red Old Town (http://cgi.ebay.com/Electric-Mandolin-made-by-Doug-ODell-Old-Town-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ140148789649)

http://i10.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/b0/46/baa7_12.JPG
hey i bought this one! i sent it back to doug for a check up, and to install some custom split block fret inlay. it's a beauty ...

btw, this is the second Old Town that I've got and really enjoy them. Doug does great work - look him up at www.oldtown-mandolins.com .

Turner

[delsbrother]

Definitely not a Celloblaster. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Experimental-5-string-Electric-Guitar-tenor-homebrew_W0QQitemZ180166602590QQihZ008)

Nor is this. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Ovation-Ultra-GS-Guitar-With-Hard-Shell-Case_W0QQitemZ270172754247QQihZ017)

Hey, they might actually sound good! But they sure aren't much to look at...

IIRC Joel Eckhaus was thinking about building similar tenor conversion necks for bolt on guitars like Strats. Anyone ever try one?

[Django Fret]

Another <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Wishnevsky-Eight-String-Electric-Octave-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ150169163688QQihZ005QQcategoryZ4

713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Wishevsky Eight String Electric Octave</a>

[delsbrother]

Well, THAT'S typical! (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-60s-Kent-ELECTRIC-Mandolin-WILD_W0QQitemZ230181693148QQihZ013QQcategoryZ10179 )

[Django Fret]

A couple of Carvins: one with and one without guitar attached.

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/1961-VINTAGE-CARVIN-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-MANDOLIN-DOUBLENECK_W0QQitemZ220161629911QQihZ012QQcat
egoryZ2384QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">with</a>

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/1960-VINTAGE-CARVIN-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-BIGSBY-STYLE-RARE_W0QQitemZ220161625871QQihZ012QQcat
egoryZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">without</a>

[delsbrother]

That guy has a LOT of nice stuff in his store (on Sunset in Hollywood's "Guitar Row"). I once went in and he had 4-5 Weissenborns on his wall... I haven't heard very many nice things about him though - especially from the steel guitar community. I've gone in several times looking at ukes (he has a nice selection of the old plastic Maccaferris), and his staff hasn't been especially friendly. YMMV. FWIW, he has several Carvins for sale, as does Guitar Center a couple of doors down from him.

[mrmando]

Whoa...

A re-necked Mary Kay Mandocaster (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270178222731)...

[MandoSquirrel]

Wonder how intonation & whatnot are, 2 strings coming off one saddle position like that? Interesting alternative to the classic Fender single stringer. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Martin Jonas]

That bridge looks terrible, and the neck clashes badly with the mandocaster aesthetics. I suspect people will take issue with the seller's assertion that the four-string configuration "has limited usability" compared to the eight-string.

Martin

[clem]

More like "butchered" Mandocaster! There are plenty of examples from which to craft a reasonable replacement neck, as opposed to slapping on a mediocre 8 string neck that was clearly made for something else and trying to pass it off as an "improvement."

IMHO, it would sell faster with no neck.

[MandoSquirrel]

I agree; this instrument was clearly not designed for the paired string format, & should have something more like Fender's 12 string guitar style neck & headstock if it's to have pairs. And many consider the 4 or 5 string electric mando More useful/versatile, but it is nice to try to keep that paired string sound.

[jefflester]

Fender Custom Shop doubleneck. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=330180437655)

[mandroid]

strings spaced wider than a guitar is kind of unwieldy, as is the old tele [bass?]bridge which makes setting intonation weird too.

[EdSherry]

I WANT that Fender doubleneck! (Just not $5200 worth ...)

[mandelect]

Another Tele style emando - UK based.
Mandotel 5 string (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Swamp-Ash-Telecaster-5-string-electric-mandolin_W0QQitemZ200167652347QQcmdZViewItem?hash= item200167652347)