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Thread: Well, that's ... different

  1. #1
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Well, that's ... different

    https://boise.craigslist.org/msg/d/s...590540222.html

    Anyone heard of Sweetgrass mandolins?

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  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    I'm usually a traditionalist but I find that interesting. Kind of like a Kay collided with a Monteleone. I've never heard of them.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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  4. #3
    Fatally Flawed Bill Kammerzell's Avatar
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    Tried looking them up with the builder's name attached and got nothing outside of this add in Craigslist. It's an interesting looking mandolin.
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  5. #4
    bon vivant jaycat's Avatar
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    Quote Originally Posted by mrmando View Post
    Anyone heard of Sweetgrass . . .
    What the builder was smoking?
    "The paths of experimentation twist and turn through mountains of miscalculations, and often lose themselves in error and darkness!"
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  6. #5
    Registered User Roger Moss's Avatar
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    From Nativetech.org...

    "Many Native tribes in North America use sweetgrass in prayer, smudging or purifying ceremonies and consider it a sacred plant. It is usually braided, dried, and burned. Sweetgrass braids smolder and doesn't produce an open flame when burned. Just as the sweet scent of this natural grass is attractive and pleasing to people, so is it attractive to good spirits. Sweetgrass is often burned at the beginning of a prayer or ceremony to attract positive energies."
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  8. #6

    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    Never heard of it, but I'd rather have this for $600 than the Loar copy for $3500, that was recently discussed here.

    Looks like a quality piece, IMHO.

  9. #7
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    It's hard to ID the luthier. There are actually more people with the name in the business.

    https://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlo...nt?oid=2501925

    https://www.augustguitars.com/
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  10. #8
    Fatally Flawed Bill Kammerzell's Avatar
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    Sweetgrass Baskets handmade in and around Charleston SC are quite popular with tourists and residents alike, there. Its a craft begun by West African Slaves in the 1700's.
    Ray Dearstone #009 D1A (1999)
    Skip Kelley #063 Offset Two Point (2017)
    Arches #9 A Style (2005)
    Bourgeois M5A (2022)
    Hohner and Seydel Harmonicas (various keys)

    "Heck, Jimmy Martin don't even believe in Santy Claus!"

  11. #9

    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    I just talked to guy selling it "Gary" said he bought it from a friend in Oregon, but there is a sticker inside stating it's from Montana, further research shows a town called Sweet Grass Montana, bet that's where the luthier gave his instruments their name, also marked inside is it's number 20 made, no info on how many made, He also said it's original price was $1200, compared it to a very loud A style Mandolin for sound comparison. He has no further info, but will be contacting his buddy he bought it from, to see if there is any more details. If I hear anything, I'll pass on the info, in case any interested party might be considering it. The guy selling it does play mandolin, and must be selling due to money needs, as he tried to sell me a Kentucky.....hmmmm, not sure, a 750??? or something like that, sorry, I forgot.

  12. #10
    Registered User Steve VandeWater's Avatar
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    I like it. But it is different!
    It ain't gotta be perfect, as long as it's perfect enough!

  13. #11
    I may be old but I'm ugly billhay4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    Very cool instrument. I'd like to hear it.
    Bill
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  14. #12
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    what about the position of the bridge? looks cool. I had a Paris Swing that looked a little like it, beautiful but kind of a dud

  15. #13
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    Quote Originally Posted by indexless View Post
    what about the position of the bridge? looks cool. I had a Paris Swing that looked a little like it, beautiful but kind of a dud
    The bridge placement is similar to most Strad-O-Lin's
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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  17. #14
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    For some reason a lot of folks think the bridge should be place on or near the points of the FF holes, that isn`t true, it depends on where the FF holes are placed, so I don`t see why the bridge placement on this Sweetwater is considered different...It still needs to be at the proper place for correct intonation...From things I have heard and red the placement of the FF sound holes doesn`t matter...

    Willie

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  19. #15
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    It makes it look funny to me, kind of out of balance I guess but who am I to talk about balance?

  20. #16
    Registered User G7MOF's Avatar
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    Apparently made by David Anderson. Google it to find his page.
    I never fail at anything, I just succeed at doing things that never work....


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  21. #17
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    Pretty sophisticated carving/design. If it sounds good and has no neck/intonation issues, I'd think it's a more than fair price at 1200.

  22. #18
    Registered User G7MOF's Avatar
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    I thought it was $600?
    I never fail at anything, I just succeed at doing things that never work....


    Fylde Touchstone Walnut Mandolin.
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  23. #19

    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    yes, he's asking $600, originally $1200, and has a Kentucky for sale

  24. #20
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    Funny how Indexless is criticizing the bridge placement, and maybe others feel that way as well. Has anyone here ever seen a Gibson F-7? They had their bridges in more or less the same place. So when an unknown adventurous maker obviously thinking outside the box puts a bridge there, he is open for criticism, but Big G does the same thing, and it’s perfectly fine?
    Don

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  26. #21

    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    Agreed, and it seems to still be available, I'm surprised at that price. I guess we are a traditional bunch, as a whole. NFI.

  27. #22
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    Default Re: Well, that's ... different

    I like the look. Quality woods seem to have been used. Craftsmanship seems at least ok. Tone and ability to be set up are unknown though. I looked at it again and just noticed the strap button screwed to the back of the head stock. Really bad idea. Also looks like a hole where one used to be installed in the neck block. Deal killer for me.
    Don

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