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The enduring shape of the F model continues to inspire. I don't believe that Justin made the connection to it's mandolin heritage. It's really an innovative instrument with some sweet sound. Can you imagine this guy on a real F pumping out da blues?
The "Smoothtalker" . . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJTiO-UmqLI
Actually, it is really more like a wood-topped banjo with added horns. :)
More info from Gruhn Guitars site.
Here's a Mervyn Davis mandolin from 2014 thread.
[QUOTE=Jim Garber;1790789]Actually, it is really more like a wood-topped banjo with added horns. :)
Was referring to the overall shape . . . but actually, I think it is much more mando inspired than the B word.
Unless I am not seeing something here, I am not sure what function those horns accomplish except to disguise its banjoness. If you remove them you have a guitar that looks like a wood-topped banjo.
We're talking form not function here. Take the "horns" off an F model and you've got an A. I'll give you there isn't an oval or f holes. So we've got an instrument Rorschach test it seems.
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The horns were added to a circular body. The F-mandolin’s scroll and points are carved together. If anything Davis’s guitar looks like an electric guitar. I do like his adventuresome designs. And the guitar certainly sounds great.Quote:
Originally Posted by mandolin breeze
I must agree with Jim, when I first looked at it I saw a banjo with horns. The resonating area is round, like a banjo. It could have been made to look different, but it is round, like a banjo. Hence a banjo electric guitar, or something like that.
I like how the reinvention of acoustic has its pickup plugged in, instead of letting its character shine purely through the mic....
Thanks for playing along gentlemen. I must make one more attempt to bolster my initial point. Disclaimer: I ain't no dang banjer picker, so I'm admittedly biased.
Let's make it a quiz . . . Is A or B more likely the inspiration for the Smoothtalker?
Attachment 189076
A Fender stratocaster would a closer resemblance than either the mandolin or banjo. This shot shows an elliptical center as opposed to more round in the initial shot.
The Deering Crossfire is what came to mind first. This has a wonderful sound for sure.
Or the maker could have done something like this...
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk...MaAq0nEALw_wcB
Nice sound !
It looks like an irradiated guitar. Some luthier near Chernobyl. :whistling:
I thought the soundboard/body was round at first. Took me a while(right after he mentioned it) that it is really oval.
Just me?
Yes, you are correct that it is oval shaped. I actually like the look but am really not sure, other than as a strap hanger, the practical purpose of the horns. I would think a hornless model would be a lot lighter. I would love to play one. Maybe one of my local boutique stores down in NYC has one.
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Attachment 189207
It's actually the guitar that John McEuen plays. Don't know why, but it is.
All right, enough of this guitar stuff, here is the mandolin version, available for all you fans at Gruhn's.
It might be a Triceratops?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Garber
Interesting to see the side view of the mandolin. The top, as far as I can tell, looks like it doesn't have an induced arch. I wonder if there is any bracing at all under the top.
Yes, it's neither F nor banjo, it's a log cabin.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Garber
And the zero-pressure construction of the bridge indeed seems to indicate that the top plate might be thin and without bracing - OK, it's a log banjo.