Banjo Mandolin - I've joined the club
I'm lying in a nice hotel bed on Mother's Day with a raging cold. My cell makes an odd sound and informs me that an item I've been watching for weeks has just reduced its price by $30.
Since my wife is out on the Plaza (Santa Fe) buying my Mother's Day present for her I decided that I should also be thoughtful and purchase a Father's Day present from her. Besides, I could blame the delirium. I think I can get away with under $300.
I've owned probably a dozen drum sets with calfskin heads going back to at least the 1920's. Their sound has never been duplicated by synthetic heads. The first thing I noticed on this was a calfskin head in unbelievably good condition by the best maker of such heads. Rogers started in 1849 exclusively as a maker of calfskin heads. They didn't start making drums until 1930. It is a big deal that calfskin heads made 80 to 100 years ago are in pristine condition and indicate that extraordinary care was likely used with this instrument.
I was intrigued by the evolution of the position markers as they descend the fret board. I just plain like the style, the appearance.
It has Orpheum tuners but to my mind it doesn't matter who made it because it was thoughtfully and beautifully made.
Dropping the wife at the Salt Lake City airport tomorrow morning and then my son and I are headed to California to drive up the coast on 1 and 101 back to our home. I hope to kick this cold in the next couple days. My early Father's Day present will be awaiting my return.
1989/2019 Ike Bacon/Barry Kratzer F5
1945 Levin 330
192? Bruno (Oscar Schmidt) banjo-mandolin
early Eastwood Mandostang
2005 Tacoma CB-10 acoustic bass guitar
Fender Tweed Deluxe clone
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