View Full Version : Sympathetic Tone Rods!
BradKlein
Jan-27-2009, 9:32am
Here, LINK (http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Vintage-Joseph-Bohmann-Mandolin-c-1910_W0QQitemZ150323334049QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item150323334049&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4%7C65%3A10%7C39%3A2%7C240%3A1318), is a truly unusual mandolin design. Besides the asymmetry, there are sympathetically vibrating rods inside that can be turned on and off with a button that extends through the top!
Does anyone have experience with an instrument like this? (no financial interest, of course)
So it's essentially a hardanger mandolin? Awesome!
MikeEdgerton
Jan-27-2009, 10:04am
The Larson Brothers built instruments like this in the early 1900's in Chicago. I think Joseph Bohmann might have as well. I think we've had a few threads that discussed them, let me see if I can find them.
Note: I just looked at the picture and it is a Bohmann :)
MikeEdgerton
Jan-27-2009, 10:08am
Start out with this (http://www.harpguitars.net/history/bohmann/bohmann1.htm) link, a Joseph Bohmann page maintained by Gregg Miner.
Here (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23984&highlight=bohmann+sympathetic) is a thread that danb posted with what looks to be a similar mandolin.
allezlesbleus
Jan-27-2009, 12:45pm
So it's essentially a hardanger mandolin? Awesome!
Hardingmando:
http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=5;t=28953
Sympathetic tone rods, reminds me of the electric piano that Loar made. Proto-Fender Rhodes. lol
ALB
BradKlein
Jan-27-2009, 11:21pm
Fascinating!
TomTyrrell
Jan-28-2009, 12:29pm
Neat piece. First thing I thought when I saw it was it must have melted!