I believe Ole Carl Frobee has one of them Schmergals with him...
I believe Ole Carl Frobee has one of them Schmergals with him...
D C Blood Mixt Company
'96 Ratcliff Silver Eagle/Angel
'09 Silverangel F5 distressed
'09 Ratcliff A model distressed
..Blue Chip pick user...
www.facebook.com/davidcblood
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Wish I could afford it
Bill
I misspelled Schmergel...that is almost as bad as spelling "Loar" "Loare"...
D C Blood Mixt Company
'96 Ratcliff Silver Eagle/Angel
'09 Silverangel F5 distressed
'09 Ratcliff A model distressed
..Blue Chip pick user...
www.facebook.com/davidcblood
www.facebook.com/silverangelmandolins
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?albumid=109 photo album url
No c. It is Shmergel.
Bill Snyder
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
"What a long, strange trip it's been..." - Robert Hunter
"Life is too important to be taken seriously." - Oscar Wilde
Think Hippie Thoughts...
Gear: The Current Cast of Characters
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.
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
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!
I'm playing a Shmergel Devastator right now.
Oh wait, no I'm not.
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
Where can I try out the lauded Shmergel Devastator? Thanks, you guys have officially reignited my MAS again!
FINALLY! A brand discussion I can really get into!
I can't wait for the pictures.........
and the sound clips.I can't wait for the pictures.........
Steve Davis
I should really be practicing instead of sitting in front of the computer.
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
Amps: Fishman Loudbox 100; Rivera Clubster Royale Recording Head & R212 cab; Laney Cub 10
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!
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
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
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
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.
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
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!
The website is coming along nicely. This is my favorite item so far:
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!
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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