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Thread: Shmergel

  1. #1
    mandolinist, Mixt Company D C Blood's Avatar
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    Smile Shmergel

    I believe Ole Carl Frobee has one of them Schmergals with him...
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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Schmergal

    Wish I could afford it
    Bill

  3. #3
    mandolinist, Mixt Company D C Blood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Schmergal

    I misspelled Schmergel...that is almost as bad as spelling "Loar" "Loare"...
    D C Blood Mixt Company
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  4. #4
    Registered User Bill Snyder's Avatar
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    Default Re: Schmergal

    No c. It is Shmergel.
    Bill Snyder

  5. #5
    Work in Progress Ed Goist's Avatar
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    Default Re: Schmergal

    Bill; there's lots of legitimate confusion regarding the Shmergel surname because I believe the original German spelling was "Schmergl" and Gustav's family changed the spelling when they emigrated to America.

    Though all currently documented Devastators are signed by Gustav with the New World spelling, it is rumored that there are a handful of Devastators in Europe which carry the 'Old World Signature'. I'd love to see one of those!
    c.1965 Harmony Monterey H410 Mandolin
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  6. #6
    Closet Banjo Picker P.D. Kirby's Avatar
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    Default Re: Schmergal

    I've only seen pictures of one but maybe one day if I win the lottery I can add one of those beauties to my collection.
    Never Argue with an Idiot, they will just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

  7. #7
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Schmergal

    Quote Originally Posted by D C Blood View Post
    I misspelled Schmergel...that is almost as bad as spelling "Loar" "Loare"...
    Fixed.

  8. #8
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shmergel

    It's really neither here nor there - really, it really IS neither here nor there - but if a bit of searching through the forums reveals an overwhelming preponderance of spellings with no C and two Es, particularly in posts from Mr. Hopkins, who seems to have more familiarity with Shmergels than anyone else around here and may in fact be responsible for bringing these ne plus ultra instruments to our attention, then I believe this spelling is the most correct, despite its several variants. Just sayin' ...
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

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  9. #9

    Default Re: Shmergel

    I'm playing a Shmergel Devastator right now.

    Oh wait, no I'm not.

  10. #10
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shmergel

    Quote Originally Posted by OldSausage View Post
    I'm playing a Shmergel Devastator right now...Oh wait, no I'm not.
    But you're spelling it right.
    Allen Hopkins
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  11. #11

    Default Re: Shmergel

    Where can I try out the lauded Shmergel Devastator? Thanks, you guys have officially reignited my MAS again!

  12. #12
    Registered User Chip Booth's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shmergel

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  13. #13
    garded
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    Default Re: Shmergel

    FINALLY! A brand discussion I can really get into!

    I can't wait for the pictures.........

  14. #14
    Registered User Steve Davis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shmergel

    I can't wait for the pictures.........
    and the sound clips.
    Steve Davis

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  15. #15
    Quietly Making Noise Dave Greenspoon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shmergel

    Warning to the NSA...the Deterrent is about to be unleashed. I wonder if the "Schmergel-wth-a-C" spelling on the interior gold leaf label of the Deterrent is to distinguish it from the acoustic line. Allen, any insights you can share?
    Axes: Eastman MD-515 & El Rey; Eastwood S Mandola
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  16. #16
    garded
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    Default Re: Shmergel

    I heard a rumor that Framus and Shmergel had put their vast engineering talents together and are coming out with a double table, Kevlar backed, 12 string, fan fretted mandolin with atomic powered auto tuners. The slated name will be the Schwangle, named for Gustav's mothers' uncle. Can't wait!

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    Default Re: Shmergel

    Quote Originally Posted by TonyP View Post
    I heard a rumor that Framus and Shmergel had put their vast engineering talents together and are coming out with a double table, Kevlar backed, 12 string, fan fretted mandolin with atomic powered auto tuners. The slated name will be the Schwangle, named for Gustav's mothers' uncle. Can't wait!
    Doomed to obscurity from the start due to the Framus involvement. It will unquestionably have a zero fret, a deal-killer regardless of all of its other outstanding attributes.
    Striving for mediocrity and perpetually falling short.

  19. #18
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shmergel

    Skeptical that the Devastator could be improved upon -- yet, eagerly anticipating any future developments.

    By the way, the Shmergel Devastator cannot be upgraded with a Cumberland Acoustics bridge, an Allen tailpiece, or a Tone Gard. Installation of any of these immediately violates the warranty, which otherwise lasts until the last syllable of recorded time*, to the original -- and any subsequent -- owners.

    *Macbeth, Act V, Scene 5
    Allen Hopkins
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  21. #19
    acoustically inert F-2 Dave's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shmergel

    Been thinking about a 'Schmergl Devestator' headstock tattoo. Note the spelling change. A tribute to Gustav's sonic genius. I'm thinking upper arm, just above Ren and Stimpy. Wish my head was shaved so that the name could be read by everyone through the hole in the back of my Mandolin cafe ball cap.
    "Mongo only pawn in game of life." --- Mongo

  22. #20
    Closet Banjo Picker P.D. Kirby's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shmergel

    Allen I couldn't help but notice that you don't list the Schmergl Devestator in your signature. I was going to ask why but then after thinking about it I came to the realization that if I had one of those priceless beauties I would be afraid to list it too. No doubt it would fetch more on the black market than 3 or 4 July 9th Loars. So why invite trouble...
    Never Argue with an Idiot, they will just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

  23. #21
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shmergel

    PD, I ran out of signature characters a while ago. Also not listed in the signature, 'cause I can't fit 'em in:
    Martin 1919 Style A
    Eastman DGM-1
    Eastman DGM-2
    Regal Octofone
    Gibson tenor lute

    All instruments I've acquired since I joined the Cafe six years ago.

    As for the Shmergel (note spelling!) Devastator, I did mention in an earlier post that it's my favorite hypothetical mandolin, the Platonic ideal of an instrument that's so nearly perfect that it stands (or hovers) as a standard no mere actual instrument can attain.

    The Devastator has also served as a literary stand-in for the super-high-quality mandolin that so many of us claim to have -- the Kentucky that sounds better than someone else's Gibson Fern, the small-builder instrument that kicks all other mandolins' butts, the Rover that we wouldn't trade for a Weber Yellowstone straight-up. Sometimes we can be downright touching in our loyalties, IMHO.

    So: if I had one, I wouldn't tell. And, given the jumble of cases in my basement, I probably couldn't find it anyway...
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  24. #22
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shmergel

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    ... given the jumble of cases in my basement, I probably couldn't find it anyway...
    Oh, I daresay if it were in there it would make its presence known - humming, purring, emanating sweet siren sounds ... very likely leaking brilliance through gaps in the case. Not to overlook the deep dent it would have left in your wallet. Unless, of course, you had been fortunate enough to have found one that had been left in grandma's closet, or uncle's attic, and forgotten for decades - and then somehow forgotten by you. Not too likely.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

  25. #23
    Registered User Bill Snyder's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shmergel

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    Bill Snyder

  26. #24
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shmergel

    The website is coming along nicely. This is my favorite item so far:
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    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

  27. #25
    Closet Banjo Picker P.D. Kirby's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shmergel

    Allen no explanation required, I have been aware of the origins of Shmergel Devastator since you first posted about it although I can't find the thread after searching so I could link it. I don't post as much as some and maybe more than others but I read this site almost daily because I have no life. I'm Just having fun with the rest of the nuts on here.
    Never Argue with an Idiot, they will just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

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