Orville Mandolin

[billkilpatrick]

What happened to it? Did someone buy it?

http://archive.gibson.com/en-us/Divi...ille-Mandolin/

[Jim Garber]

I think you should buy it, Bill. -- Better you than me...

[billkilpatrick]

I think you should buy it, Bill. -- Better you than me...

You mean ... no one has snapped it up ... yet?

Curious to know where it is at ...

[Timbofood]

It's not in my closet, I just looked!

[MikeEdgerton]

I saw the tree before it fell if that means anything. I was in that cemetery in Malone, NY a few years before the event visiting Orville's grave with Dave Nichols of Custom Pearl Inlay.

[Ivan Kelsall]

IMHO - That's Gibson at it's most ghastly !. Made to look at more than be played maybe ?,
Ivan

[billkilpatrick]

Zee plot zickens! ... Where is it?

[MikeZito]

I remember reading, back in the late 90's, that the 'Orville' electric guitars (most especially the Les Paul' models) were supposed to be very good and very inexpensive (around the same price as an 'Epiphone') - but I never saw one in the U.S. (I think they were mainly purchased via the internet from the far east.) Given the limited reputation that I heard about the 'Orville' brand, I would guess that it was a decent mandolin, but I think that I personally would go snow blind from all of that inlay!

[MikeEdgerton]

No connection between this mandolin and that brand. This was/is a commemorative instrument. We have a few past discussions about this mandolin. Here is one with a link to another in it.

[MikeZito]

Oops - I guess I was WAY off on this one (open mouth, insert foot) . . . but I have to be forgiven because 2009 was back in the middle of the time period when I had 'retired' from music - so I was out of the loop. Either way, it is still WAY to ornate for my liking.

By the way - did the mid-90's 'Orville' brand ever make mandolins?

[MikeEdgerton]

I've never seen anything other than electric guitars. I don't know if they made acoustic guitars or not. I've never seen a mandolin but it certainly could have been possible I guess.

[JEStanek]

Yes. But is over the top as the Orville Mandolin is, nothing compares to the 1 Millionth Guitar from Martin from 2004. Interestingly, just last December they had a special 2 Millionth guitar. Production is going well for Martin!

Jamie

[George R. Lane]

Lipstick on a pig??

[JEStanek]

Actually, I don't think that's the case at all, George. From what I remember of the discussions, that Orville mandolin played well. Neither of these are like the Bruce Wie mandolins/ guitars.

The looks may not be your cuppa tea but, they are still Martins/Gibsons.

Jamie

[billkilpatrick]

Does Gibson still have it? The information page says "See your authorized Gibson Mandolin Dealer to inquire about price and availability."

Sound Sample - 1 of 2 found on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GopR60xHiw

[MikeZito]

Unlike Timbofood - maybe after the IBMA show, Dave Harvey forgot about the mandolin, and it's still in his closet . . . .

[George R. Lane]

Jamie,
No disrespect to Gibson.
You are right, not my cup of tea.

[MikeEdgerton]

I'm doing this blind as I can't see Youtube from here. This should be a video of Dave Harvey playing the mandolin in question. I believe at one time this was listed on the musiciansfriend.com website but I might be mistaken.

[billkilpatrick]

Zero result at musiciansfriend.com ...

I feel a board game coming on - bit like "Cluedo" ... "Who's got the Orville?

[MikeEdgerton]

I had already check musiciansfriend. I do believe they had it listed when it was first for sale. That doesn't mean they had it or sold it though.

[brunello97]

Jamie,
No disrespect to Gibson.
You are right, not my cup of tea.

We're all being too polite: it is replete with poorly designed filigree. Worse than a bad Jack Handy / Hallmark greeting card.

The Gibson F mandolin already is six-quarts-in-a-gallon jug from a design perspective. It just holds itself together as a combination of disparate asymmetrical parts. A nice example for my design students.

Adding more bling to it is a losing proposition right from the start.

Mick

[billkilpatrick]

... Adding more bling to it is a losing proposition right from the start. Mick

Yes ... in terms of rococo-esque folk music, the F5 is the perfect Bluegrass instrument.

[JEStanek]

I was only speaking in terms of the instrument's voice compared to less appointed other Gibson models. The F5 shape has it's design aesthetic critics. These can be enhanced or detracted via colors and inlays. Personally, I like some alternative colors but and not attracted to a lot of abalone on the body or fingerboard.

Jamie

[Timbofood]

It's an exercise in over indulgence. Excess is what this is all about, it's a billboard not so much an instrument. I'm not buying it so I don't much give a hoot.