What is it? UK auction.

[Ray(T)]

Hmmmmm...... https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...c-ab7a00fdb753 - discuss!

[Mark Gunter]

Not entirely sure what you're writing about, Ray. It appears that auction is closed. The link takes me to a page that shows two thumbnails of mandolins though, a Dobro and an unnamed mandolin, which is probably the item your post refers to. There is only one picture ... and the description says:

A 20th century eight-string mandolin, by John E. Dallas of London, Frederick Winslow adjustment label, the neck and base with crossed stringing, faux tortoiseshell guard, cased with two "B.M.G." Diploma Certificates en suite, dated 1944 and 1945

The Dobro has three photos:

A rare Dobro Resonator Mandolin, circa 1930s, with pierced crescent and star nickel plate sound board, body length 32.5cm, overall length 64cm, cased.

[allenhopkins]

I clicked on the link, which I assume is this since that's where it took me, and found a faux-Gibson oval-hole F-model, clearly patterned on the Gibby template, but with significant differences. Looked pretty much like a homemade job, lots of crudeness. It's called a "Vintage Acoustic Guitar" in the description, and there's a current bid of 24£, about $31.

[Mark Gunter]

You’re right Allen, that tells me that either my computer was being wonky earlier or Ray fixed the link.

It now takes me to an early Shmergel something with 6 strings.

[Mark Gunter]

Ah ... I still get the bad page on laptop (but not on the phone). Running FireFox on the laptop. Tried in IE and again no joy. I had to find it with search at their site. Here it is in all its glory:



Complete with what appears to be a Gibson decal on the headstock!

[John Soper]

The luthier for this instrument - a Florentine guitar (?) - [I]may [I] have salvaged a Gibson guitar neck and bridge for this creation... or just slapped a decal on the headstock.

[Ray(T)]

That’s the one (I’ve done nothing to the link) difficult/impossible for me to post actual photos as I’m on an iPad.

Simply thought people would be interested. Personally I’ve never seen anything quite like it. It doesn’t look that recent and the auctioneer doesn’t claim that it’s by Gibson.

The auctioneer pronounces their name “Smiley” by the way!!

[NickR]

It's a shame we cannot see the tuners but with their metal buttons- assuming the tuners are original, this may well be a genuine Gibson neck from the 1930s.

[Bob A]

Certainly cheerfully weird. A hundred pounds for the object is about the top of its market, but it does have a certain odd charm. I wonder if it's actually playale; if so, it would be worth the price merely to horrify the vintage instrument crowd.

[rickbella]

Reminds me of a young teen-aged girl experimenting with too much makeup.

[Dave Richard]

I love instruments like this: someone had the skill to craft it, reusing a ‘40’s(from the logo)Gibson neck. I’d love to know how it sounds. Did it sell?

[Ray(T)]

I love instruments like this: someone had the skill to craft it, reusing a ‘40’s(from the logo)Gibson neck. I’d love to know how it sounds. Did it sell?

Auctioneer’s estimate £40 - £60. Current bid £240. Auction isn’t until the 23rd.

[brunello97]

You’re right Allen, that tells me that either my computer was being wonky earlier or Ray fixed the link.

It now takes me to an early Shmergel something with 6 strings.

Perhaps a J. Farquhar Schmergel?
Mugwumps site suggests there were English cousins.
It exhibits some traits.
JFS was a known rapscallion in the extended Schmergel fambly.
Fully capable of pulling this off.

Mick