HERE is what seems to be a 1918 Martin A mandolin with what the seller describes as a vintage 'pick holder'. I was skeptical at first, but in fact, that's just what it seems to be. And patented too!
HERE is what seems to be a 1918 Martin A mandolin with what the seller describes as a vintage 'pick holder'. I was skeptical at first, but in fact, that's just what it seems to be. And patented too!
What a simple and clever idea. Somebody with a modicum of metal work skill might be able to make a buck or two recreating those.
Ryk
mandolin ~ guitar ~ banjo
"I'm convinced that playing well is not so much a technique as it is a decision. It's a commitment to do the work, strive for concentration, get strategic about advancing by steps, and push patiently forward toward the goal." Dan Crary
That pick holder has actually been posted here before. I don't have the time to search it out right now. It might have been on the same instrument, I can't remember that part. I have a pick holder (not like that) that was built into the armrest of a Silvertone Tenor banjo I have. I thought the arm rest was defective
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
It was easier to find than I thought. Here's one on an old Gibson.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
And the patent is here.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
Well done, Mike! Since the patent dates to 1904, we have no record of the furious social media exchanges, for and against adding a heart-shaped pick holder to your headstock! ;-)
As my former spouse used to say "If it's a fight you want it's a fight you've got!"
I actually think they are quite quaint. It wouldn't be too hard for a person with the right press to start making them. I'm not sure I'd jam a Blue Chip pick into one though.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
I'm still hoping that the Blue Chip that I lost, then found, then lost again, will reappear someday. I had to pull out the oven the other day, and found a long missing serving spoon and pot holder - so I sifted carefully through the grimy dust hoping for that pick! maybe I should check under the refrigerator...
I don't think anybody would screw one of those into their boutique mandolin, IMHO! 100 years ago we lived in a more function-based society. I was thinking during the ham radio craze, how people would bolt those gigantic ugly whip antennas to the side of their new car with no thought of how it looked -- they just wanted the range.....
I'd put one on my Strad-O-Lin in .25 second.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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