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Thread: Mystery Instrument

  1. #1
    NY Naturalist BradKlein's Avatar
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    Default Mystery Instrument

    THESE just don't come up for sale very often.

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  2. #2
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Yes sir! Acoustic/electric 8-string sit-down mandobass!

    Scale length works out to about 30 inches, a bit much for cello tuning but you could probably find some short-scale bass strings that would work. Maybe string it in octave pairs? Needs a bridge, tuners, back plate, knobs, and setup work but isn't full of holes or cracks. P90 is a nice touch.
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  4. #3
    Orrig Onion HonketyHank's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    I am really curious. Is this a one of a kind homemade homedesigned thing? Or was there really something like this produced commercially? My first thought was of that Heironymous Bosch tryptich scene. How was this thing even conceptualized enough to construct?

    Man, I lead a sheltered life. Good thing I hang out here. Would hate to get moldy.
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  5. #4
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    The Gibson mandobass is equipped with two endpin ports: One at the end so you can play it standing up and one on the lower treble bout so you can play it seated. This one was designed for seated playing — the builder chose to shift the neck rather than the endpin.

    I'm pretty confident that it's not a production instrument. Never seen one before.
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  6. #5
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Where the heck did they get that gigundous brass tailpiece?

    Utility and originality aside, one of the ugliest musical instruments I've ever seen.
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  7. #6
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    Where the heck did they get that gigundous brass tailpiece?
    Yeah, the tailpiece actually looks like it's TOO big. For proper intonation, the bridge would have to go about 2 inches from the end of the tailpiece, and that seems too close to me.

    Now that I've zoomed in on the photo, I see there's some kind of trouble along the side down below the tailpiece. Could be just loose binding, but there might be a side separation or possibly a crack there. I wonder whether that part of the instrument is properly blocked/reinforced to hold the tailpiece and take the string tension.

    Does it look to you like the builder might have started out intending to use a conventional neck placement, and then chosen a different path halfway through the build?
    Last edited by mrmando; Jan-26-2018 at 7:12pm.
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  8. #7
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    They got the tailpiece from Omar the tailpiece maker.
    "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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  10. #8

    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Looks Gold Tone to me.

  11. #9

    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Quote Originally Posted by mrmando View Post

    Does it look to you like the builder might have started out intending to use a conventional neck placement, and then chosen a different path halfway through the build?
    No, it appears to be an unfinished Manzer-esque Pikasso mando-thingie kit (with f holes)

  12. #10
    Registered User Russ Donahue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    No, no, no, no, no!

    It's a one-off, unique creation from the personal collection of Salvador Dali.

    I can't believe you missed such an obvious provenance....

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  13. #11

    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Well if you want to go art, it looks more Duchampian - "ready-made," repurposed materials, etc

  14. #12
    Registered User Russ Donahue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    The other insight. It clearly is a concrete study for inclusion in the next of this series of paintings utilizing musical instruments:

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  15. #13

    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    If it needs a name, I'd go with "Manta, tortoise shell, death Vader...on a stick (with f holes)" Action is bulbous, but not fast.

    Quote Originally Posted by HonketyHank View Post
    How was this thing even conceptualized enough to construct?

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  17. #14
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Quote Originally Posted by catmandu2 View Post
    No, it appears to be an unfinished Manzer-esque Pikasso mando-thingie kit (with f holes)
    Ha! If you compare it to a Manzer Pikasso, the price goes up. http://www.manzer.com/guitars/index....d=25&Itemid=24
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  18. #15

    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Whatever it is, I want one. I've got MAS.

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  20. #16
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Quote Originally Posted by catmandu2 View Post
    Whatever it is, I want one. I've got MAS.
    No, you've got WIIAS.
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  21. #17

    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Quote Originally Posted by BradKlein View Post
    THESE just don't come up for sale very often.

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    Dad comes home from work to find that one of the kids, the one with the knack for woodworking, has 'customized' Dad's favorite guitar as a birthday present. Imagine the look on Dad's face!


    Quote Originally Posted by mrmando View Post
    ... WIIAS.
    "What Is It Acquisition Syndrome", I presume.

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  23. #18
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    I smell the genius of ... Shmergel!

    How deep is that sound box? It looks mighty thin to me. Also, is that the original case?
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  25. #19
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I smell the genius of ... Shmergel!

    How deep is that sound box? It looks mighty thin to me. Also, is that the original case?
    Jim, I was thinking the same thing.
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  26. #20

    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    A The Shmoigall lawsuit (artist supremo model) guttar-vile, with offset neck, (case extra).

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  28. #21
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I smell the genius of ... Shmergel!

    How deep is that sound box? It looks mighty thin to me. Also, is that the original case?
    I'm pretty sure even Allen might claim this one
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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  30. #22
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    I'm pretty sure even Allen might claim this one
    Hell no.
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  31. #23
    Registered User Givson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Fingerboard inlays and pickguard look like a Gretsch. Perhaps this was a prototype made for Bo Diddley.
    When 'good enough' is more than adequate.

  32. #24

    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    In seriousness, if it were strung with a couple of dozen drone strings across the body a la bandura, could be cool.. still, I would think you'd want a guttar-vile *without* the offset neck option...

  33. #25
    Registered User John Flynn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Instrument

    Time for this meme:
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