Woody Williams "Folk" Mandolin: Yikes!

[John Lloyd]

My first thought was that it was Salvador Dali's attempt at a cigar box mando.

[k0k0peli]

I wouldn't mind owning it. But I'm insane.

[allenhopkins]

I wouldn't mind owning it. But I'm insane.

...just to walk into one jam with it, and watch everyone go, "Jeez! Whazzat?"

[Austin Bob]

Guys, I know you want it, but let's think this through.

It's not just the mandolin you'll have to buy, you also need to consider the custom built Calton or Hoffee case you're going to need to protect that baby.

You sure wouldn't want to get a scratch on her.

[Mark Wilson]

All right, you decide which wins (loses?) the ugliest "mandolin" contest:

Three gone wrongs don't make a right.

[jaycat]

Man, that thing is ugly. Reminds me of my first wife. She was so ugly I had to bring her to work with me in the morning, just so I wouldn't have to kiss her goodbye.

[journeybear]

You sure wouldn't want to get a scratch on her.

Take another look at that finish. It looks indestructible.

Three gone wrongs don't make a right.

No doubt. None will ever be right. The question is which is the most wrong.

May be mo' better as another thread.

Man, that thing is ugly. Reminds me of my first wife. She was so ugly I had to bring her to work with me in the morning, just so I wouldn't have to kiss her goodbye.

Gee, whatever went wrong with that marriage?

[Ivan Kelsall]

OK ! - That thing is seriously ugly in most folk's view- BUT - what if it sounded off the planet incredibly awesome !!!!. Would you want to be seen playing it ?. For me - i'll pass. It's so awful as to be scary. I'm not sure whether i'd put a bag over it or over my head so's not to look at it - both maybe ?,
Ivan

[journeybear]

When it comes to music, sound is more important than sight. Yes? This is the reason I am able to slip past inspection. So in this case, I would be proud to own and play this odd artifact, as it would be somehow suitable, for the above-mentioned reason - even though it would probably be too subtle for most people to appreciate - and also because I also have a stocky body shape. Furthermore, it would doubtless be a conversation piece. That said, it would have to sound a hell of a lot better than it looks!

It would be really great if someone who lives near Gryphon could go by and give it a test run.

[k0k0peli]

My wife likes it. But we probably won't get to Palo Alto to try it out before someone else snaps it up. Darn.

[Upis Land]

I checked it out the other day and though I'm no expert I would say it plays and sounds as good as it looks. I did get my hands on some amazing sounding Collings, but that wood be a topic for another thread.

[journeybear]

Dang! I was hoping it would sound better than it looks. But I guess that was to be expected. There are reasons why mandolins have been built with rounded bodies since - well, ever. I'm sure someone well-versed in the branch of physics known as acoustics can - but needn't - explain this. It would seem that our Mr. Williams followed his own muse in his design. The result is a rather odd duck - and I don't mean a la John Duffey's duck. This is more of a pelican or penguin.

But thanks for making the effort. If nothing else, you'll have a memory and anecdote to share for the rest of your life. I'm so envious.

[pelone]

If it was being played in the dark and one could not judge it by it's looks----how would it sound? I have heard some folk mandos that looked horrific but sounded pretty OK.

[foldedpath]

Dang! I was hoping it would sound better than it looks. But I guess that was to be expected. There are reasons why mandolins have been built with rounded bodies since - well, ever. I'm sure someone well-versed in the branch of physics known as acoustics can - but needn't - explain this.

It's because sine waves are more pleasing to the ear than square waves. Everyone knows that!

(I'll get my coat... )

[Steve Lavelle]

I'll be passing by Gryphon tonight on the way to practice, so I must lay my hands on this monstrosity, or I'll never forgive myself for passing on what may be the cure for MAS. The trick will be to play this one last, after sampling some of the finer instruments.

[mmukav]

" This one really shows the distinctive approach to finish employed by the builder." Oh, you're VERY kind.

This mando kind of reminds me of this:

[Caleb]

Maybe the maker will chime in and give some clues to the design? Although, given such a warm reception to his work he might be a bit shy.

[Bill Snyder]

If JB is correct, the maker has been dead for 28 years today, so if he chimes in we all should pay very close attention to what he has to say.

[Caleb]

That would be a trick.

[EdHanrahan]

Does anyone else feel like Gryphon owes the world some kind of explanation for this one?! Even just something tongue in cheek?

Where is Stan Jay when you really need him?

(The recently-departed founder of Mandolin Brothers, in Staten Island, NYC, was famous for his witty, extensive, entertaining, and surprisingly informative descriptions of instruments at every level. Sorry for semi-off-topic comment, but...)

[barney 59]

" This one really shows the distinctive approach to finish employed by the builder." Oh, you're VERY kind.

This mando kind of reminds me of this:

Then maybe it plays as well as the people that played on that album!

[journeybear]

Where is Stan Jay when you really need him?

(The recently-departed founder of Mandolin Brothers, in Staten Island, NYC, was famous for his witty, extensive, entertaining, and surprisingly informative descriptions of instruments at every level. Sorry for semi-off-topic comment, but...)

Already went there. Someone is just going to have to take a stab at it.

[John Kinn]

The poorly executed scroll is a dead giveaway of sloppy craftmanship.

[lukmanohnz]

If anyone is still interested in owning one of these, Gryphon still has one in stock. Maybe it's the same one that was there when this thread was initiated back in 2015. Which begs the question, "was anyone ever interested in owning one of these?" (Sorry Woody...)

[Jim Garber]

It is the same one AFAIK. BTW here is the description:

We don't know who Woody Williams was, or exactly when he built this mandolin, but judging from the age of the gears, we are guessing he made it in the late 1940s. There is a stamp inside that simply reads "Woody Williams Elmira, New York," so at least we have a location for its construction. Even a quick glance suggests that in many ways Woody's ambition exceeded his ability. The mandolin's shape is ungainly, the sunburst is extremely crude and the general level of craftsmanship is raw. But unlike many of these homebrew efforts, the neck is actually well shaped and plays quite well. The tone is bright and crisp and not displeasing. We're not sure where Woody got his inspiration, but the boxy shape does suggest the mandolins made by the Shutt Company, a group of luthiers who worked in Topeka, Kansas around 1915. This mandolin is not a great instrument by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a wonderful example of playable folk art.