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Thread: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    This has a 2crown" tailpiece and Waverly tuners- which makes 1930s a reasonable guess. It could be a bit older but I doubt if it is newer. An intriguing instrument which appears to be in okay shape. It may have been influenced by something Larson made or was just the product of a wild imagination.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/NICE-OBSCUR...MAAOSwYCBdGodY

  2. #2
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    Scrolltastic! Indeed!
    Timothy F. Lewis
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  3. #3
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    Hey, smurf me that smurfdolin!
    aka: Spencer
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  4. #4
    but that's just me Bertram Henze's Avatar
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    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    those soundholes were a side effect of Pat Garrett meeting Billy the Kid, apparently.
    the world is better off without bad ideas, good ideas are better off without the world

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    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    Wow I like it and its long 5 scale! I don't get all the bullet holes but hey I've seen similar guitar tops, not as many holes though? It may be a fun neat mandolin to play. But I don't believe I'll bid on that one!
    Is that Brazilian or east India rosewood? Looks east Indian?

  6. #6

    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    I have to admit, that it reminds me of Foghorn Leghorn! I think it is Brazilian rosewood.

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    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    There's no weirdness like mandolin weirdness, for sheer scope and breadth of vision . . . however astigmatic it may be.

  8. #8
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    In case the ebay link is lost:

    Click image for larger version. 

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  10. #9

    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    I think it is a tamburitza inspired mandolin, and mandolins themselves are found in Balkan music. Here is my bisernica tamburitza with the similar soundhole style:Click image for larger version. 

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  12. #10
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    Hah! Good guess! Definitely some design resemblance.

    We've had discussions of "oval-hole" vs. "f-hole" instruments; now we should add "pin-hole" to the discussion, I guess.
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  14. #11
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    Pin hole discussion! Allen, you crack me up!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

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  16. #12
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    Seter beat me to it. The pinholes are a clue. Unusual (I think) are the 8 strings. Then again, it could be a mandolin made in a tamburitza style
    Jim

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  18. #13
    but that's just me Bertram Henze's Avatar
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    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Seter View Post
    I think it is a tamburitza inspired mandolin, and mandolins themselves are found in Balkan music. Here is my bisernica tamburitza with the similar soundhole style:Click image for larger version. 

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    I'll keep this in mind, just in case Fender is sueing anybody for copying their headstock design.
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  19. #14
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    Actually mine is similar to the one above and also resembles a Telecaster so I guess it works both ways.
    Jim

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  20. #15

    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    Those Soundholes. . . . . ha ha ha. Epic!

  21. #16
    Registered User Ranald's Avatar
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    Default Re: Scrolltastic 30s Oddball Mandolin

    Here's my prim, a small tamburitza, with similar holes.

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