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Yes. And I don't care.

Good, if somewhat complicated question. Originally, "bouzouki" referred to a long-necked Mediterranean instrument, with either three or four courses of doubled strings, generally tuned in a...

Not fakes as much as re-makes, "conversions" as we call them -- e.g. F-4 bodies with new "F-5" tops, extended necks, re-made by respected and reputable luthiers. The same luthiers used to build "F-5...

A thong that will thread through the tailpiece and tie around the headstock above the nut is what I use on my Style A. The Martin mandolins are so light that a thin strap is all you need -- needn't...

Think you're right, an octave mandolin -- or "octave mandola," as it's sometimes called in Europe (dunno why).

Usually tuned GDAE an octave lower than a mandolin; not usually with octave pairs in...

In Europe, what we on the Cafe generally call a "mandola" is often called a "tenor mandola" -- as opposed to the "octave mandola," which we call "octave mandolin."

I've never heard one called a...

If so, definitely a mandola, tuned (normally) CGDA, low to high, a fourth below a mandolin.

I'd have moved 'em to the belfry -- assuming you have one...

Martin mandolins -- the canted-top, flat-back ones -- are wonderful instruments, immaculately made, with a sweet, clear sound. The carved-top Martin mandolins, either oval-hole or f-hole, are also...

Well, Gibson did call its EM-200 electric mandolin, made in the 1950's, "Florentine." Some relationship to their semi-hollow "Florentine" model Les Paul guitars -- with what's since been called a...

Jack, thanx for the history of your F-4. Consider yourself very fortunate to know about all those who've owned it since it was new. Most of us get "anonymous" vintage instruments, which may have...

Deservedly rare, IMHO.

Quite possibly there's no maker ID. Not sure from the pic if there's a decorative extension of the headstock (?). If you think a mandolin-banjo's unnecessarily raucous,...

I believe the reason for "wet" tuning is to get the natural vibrato that's heard when the slightly different sound-wave patterns produced by the differently tuned reeds go into and out of phase. The...

Major discussion of minor issue, IMHO. I can remember hitting a tuning fork against my knee, then pressing it to the top of the instrument and tuning one string to its sound, then trying to tune all...

Hmm...its rarity may contribute more to its value, than its overall construction and sound -- though you can't really tell without playing it. I've never seen another one, that's for sure.

I'd...

Hey, who's talkin' about me?

For anyone who decides a Polk-A-Lay-Lee might be of interest, let me state that [1] it's four feet long, it's lovingly constructed of plywood and plastic (one-piece...

The letter from Ernie Ball quoted in the Acoustic Guitar Forum thread I found also mentioned "mandolas," not mandolins. It would be interesting that a company would decide to build the...

Here in Rochester we average 100 inches of snow per winter. Needless to say, we get used to it (about eight inches last night, more on the way later in the week).

I have a lot of sympathy for...

I assume you knew that I was aware of that...

Decent joke, too.

Saw a T-shirt in a catalog, with a pic of a Dalek from Dr. Who, and the caption, "Oh look, it's that cute R2D2 from Star Trek."

Lotsa inaccurate sci-fi-nerd info around, I guess.

Agree: my TL stays a TL as long as I've got it, somewhat muted voice and all. Next owner can convert it if they wish.

Not many of those late-'30's f-hole Gibson mandolas around, are there? I had...

The Earthwood bass guitar, and the Tacoma Thunderchief, are about the only acoustic bass guitars that can hold their own acoustically. Unfortunately, neither is still being made.

Here's a...

Can't make out the ribs in the bowl; does it have them, or is it a one-piece?

Oxymoron alert. Perhaps "F-model with an oval sound hole?"

My motto is "everything in its case," though the "gigging" instruments I use frequently are usually kept in, well, gig bags.

Easier to control the immediate environment (temperature, humidity),...