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Thread: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

  1. #1

    Default This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    I recently saw this at a co-op flea market. On the positive side it was only $35.
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  2. #2
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    I have thought of doing things like that. Years ago someone on the site found a bunch of bowl backs that had been previously picked over for anything remotely viable as in instrument. What was left was good only for scraps and parts and art installations.
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  3. #3
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    This was made by the lamp-making department at Oscar Schmidt during the Great Depression. They had quite a few of those 12-string bowlbacks for some reason.

    This one is nicely done though I would think a lighter color for the reflector bowl would work better as a lamp.
    Jim

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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    Here are a couple of re purposing items speaking of lamps.Click image for larger version. 

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    Registered User nmiller's Avatar
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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    If it were a banjo there would be nothing unusual about it!

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    Registered User archerscreek's Avatar
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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    Wow. They couldn't pay me $35 to take it.

  8. #7

    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    If I recall correctly the Guarneri cello which was stolen in Los Angeles was about to be repurposed as a cabinet or nightstand by the cabinetmaker boyfriend of the woman who ended up with it when she saw a news report about the theft and realized what she had.

  9. #8
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    A few years ago there was a sale on eBay for an Emberger bowlback, one of the more desirable of that ilk. It was sold by an antique store near me and I went to examine it in person before bidding. Evidently the family of the original owner brought it to a music store who told them that it was a piece of junk and would only be a wall hanger and they should make a lamp or a planter out of it. I was outbid by a dealer in France and it sold for about $1800.

    I wonder how many Loar-signed F-5 lamps and planters are out there.
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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    Quote Originally Posted by nmiller View Post
    If it were a banjo there would be nothing unusual about it!

    Click image for larger version. 

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    About 50 years ago I saw a kinda cowboy group playing at a trade group luncheon in Wichita KS. One guy was playing a tenor banjo with different colored Christmas tree lights inside that blinked on and off semi-randomly. I can't remember if the group was any good or even what kind of music they played. But I can't get the image of that darn banjo out of my head. It's kind of like an eye-worm.
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  11. #10
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    Banjo...Head...
    And the light goes on!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

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    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    I've seen quite a few cheap banjos converted into wall clocks, with a solid white board replacing the head, hour numbers attached, and the clock mechanism installed behind it. They make much less noise...

    There's a small brass band out of Buffalo that plays restored 19th-century instruments -- rear-facing trombones, "teardrop" cornets, etc. The tuba player has a Civil War-era brass instrument that he located at a rural home somewhere; it was painted red, filled with dirt, and set in the yard as a planter. He bought it and had it restored, which must have been a chore.
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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    The banjo player was light headed!

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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    Everybody I know wishes that I would 're-purpose' all of my instruments, instead of having to hear me play them . . . .

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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    Quote Originally Posted by mikezito View Post
    everybody i know wishes that i would 're-purpose' all of my instruments, instead of having to hear me play them . . . .
    lol!!!!!

  17. #15
    Registered User Randi Gormley's Avatar
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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    That flute lamp hurts me to look at. Unless you could detach it and play a bit on it...
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  18. #16

    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    I’ve seen old instruments repurposed into garden planters...pretty fun project.
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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    Quote Originally Posted by Randi Gormley View Post
    That flute lamp hurts me to look at. Unless you could detach it and play a bit on it...
    It was a very old non playable flute that I bought for $40 and made the lamp for my daughter who is a fabulous flute player. The cello was also not worth fixing so I made that for her husband who plays up right bass. If it is fixable (affordably)I would not do it.

    Not a problem Randi I understand.
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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    Hey, at least they're still being useful! We should all be so lucky.

    -- Don

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  21. #19
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: This Repurposing Thing Has Gone Too Far

    Quote Originally Posted by dhergert View Post
    Hey, at least they're still being useful! We should all be so lucky.
    Wanna be "repurposed?" Sign up as an organ donor -- or donate your "remains" to your local med school for students' use.
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