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Thread: What the heck is this?

  1. #1
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    Default What the heck is this?

    Anyone have any clue what's up with this item? Obviously handmade but a mandolin?

    http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions...-13435602.html
    Don

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  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    That is a left-handed Shmergel Devastator.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    Looks left-handed but strung reight-handed. It may actually be a dulcimer. Perhaps a mandolcimer or dulcilin? Perhaps dulcillini can enlighten us?
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    For posterior...
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  6. #5
    Registered User houseworker's Avatar
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    There's a note been added to the listing suggesting it's a baritone uke.

  7. #6
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    Definitely a Shmergel. But I can't tell if it's a Devastator or a Termanater.
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  8. #7
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    That is a beaut -- I love the delicate bridge.
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  9. #8
    acoustically inert F-2 Dave's Avatar
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    Don't know about it being a Schmergel or not. One thing's for sure, after seeing it in the coffin, it (whatever it is) is in a better place now. RIP
    "Mongo only pawn in game of life." --- Mongo

  10. #9
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    By the shape of it, I would say it is a Nugget.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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    Registered User Jim Adwell's Avatar
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    Sigh. I was hoping no one here would notice.

    This was the second musical instrument I made, 27 years ago, for some reason no longer known to me. A friend wanted to give his stringed-instrument-loving brother a "unique" gift, saw this thing in my shop, and bought it. It is not a mandolin, not an ukulele, not anything really, and frankly sounds like crap, but is it, to the best of my knowledge, unique. My friends brother loved it, BTW. Go figure.

    Do yourself a favor and don't bid on this.

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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    Too funny! Best chuckle I've had in a while. It was at least a learning experience, I'm sure.

    We have some eagle-eyed mambers here, and they don't miss much.

    BTW, I guess your friend's brother just didn't love it quite enough ...
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

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  13. #12
    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    It's a ukelin!
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Adwell View Post
    Sigh. I was hoping no one here would notice.

    This was the second musical instrument I made, 27 years ago, for some reason no longer known to me. A friend wanted to give his stringed-instrument-loving brother a "unique" gift, saw this thing in my shop, and bought it. It is not a mandolin, not an ukulele, not anything really, and frankly sounds like crap, but is it, to the best of my knowledge, unique. My friends brother loved it, BTW. Go figure.

    Do yourself a favor and don't bid on this.
    Has Diogenes found you yet?
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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  16. #14
    Registered User Jim Adwell's Avatar
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by journeybear View Post
    Too funny! BTW, I guess your friend's brother just didn't love it quite enough ...
    Well, he had it for 27 years...

  17. #15
    Registered User Jim Adwell's Avatar
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Has Diogenes found you yet?
    It would have been hard to lie about anyway, since they took a picture of my name on the label. But yeah, Diogenes and I are old friends.

  18. #16
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Adwell View Post
    Sigh. I was hoping no one here would notice.

    This was the second musical instrument I made, 27 years ago, for some reason no longer known to me. A friend wanted to give his stringed-instrument-loving brother a "unique" gift, saw this thing in my shop, and bought it. It is not a mandolin, not an ukulele, not anything really, and frankly sounds like crap, but is it, to the best of my knowledge, unique. My friends brother loved it, BTW. Go figure.

    Do yourself a favor and don't bid on this.
    This is freaking hilarious!!! Thanks for the laugh guys.
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    I love this place... Jim, have you made other instruments after that one?
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  20. #18
    Registered User Jim Adwell's Avatar
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I love this place... Jim, have you made other instruments after that one?
    I recovered from my inexplicable desire to make unique instruments and went on to make some 800 ukuleles and guitars in Hawaii, and sold them all (except for eight or so, which for one reason or another I decided were too bad to sell, and my personal instruments). I just recently decided to make something after 17 years in retirement in New York and Florida, so I am making a pancake style mandola, which is now receiving many coats of oil varnish. Wish me luck!

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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Adwell View Post
    Well, he had it for 27 years...
    That should qualify it for antique status. Thus it is vastly underpriced. Especially considering it is an early example of the work of an American craftsman active for decades with an astounding output of over 800 instruments. The seller clearly has no idea how to spin market-speak.

    BTW, its currently bid up to $40. Regardless of Mike E's sig line, it's a bargain.
    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!

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  23. #20
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    That is a left-handed Shmergel Devastator.
    Sacrilege! Blasphemy! Mr. Adwell's well-intentioned venture into free-form instrument design, bears NO RESEMBLANCE to the unexcelled glory that is the Shmergel Devastator!!

    Besides, it's well-known that because of its 92 coats of hand-rubbed (by Circassian virgins) polynomial centrifuge-purified Ecuadorean bumble-beeswax, the Devastator does not register in photographs, either film or digital. Light is deflected around it, leaving only a faint, sparkling halo.
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    Registered User joemcg's Avatar
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    My favorite part is the case. It looks like a coffin
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    Thank you for enlightening us all, Allen. I knew it wasn't a Shmergel because I could see it, but I wasn't sure how to explain that adequately. Sometimes words fail ...
    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!

  26. #23
    Registered User Jim Adwell's Avatar
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    More weirdness, as I've just remembered that the tailpiece for the not-Shmergal was made from a piece of metal I got from dismantling an Epson dot-matrix printer I had lying around (before I made unique instruments I was a computer programmer/nerd).

    Now that I think of it, there may be a steel rod from said Epson printer embedded in the neck... What the heck was I smoking back then?

  27. #24
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    That is a left-handed Shmergel Devastator.
    Wonder if this is a previously documented Shmergel or possibly a new find? Can we get the serial number?
    Never Argue with an Idiot, they will just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

  28. #25
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    Default Re: What the heck is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    Sacrilege! Blasphemy! Mr. Adwell's well-intentioned venture into free-form instrument design, bears NO RESEMBLANCE to the unexcelled glory that is the Shmergel Devastator!!

    Besides, it's well-known that because of its 92 coats of hand-rubbed (by Circassian virgins) polynomial centrifuge-purified Ecuadorean bumble-beeswax, the Devastator does not register in photographs, either film or digital. Light is deflected around it, leaving only a faint, sparkling halo.
    I'll have a ham sandwich.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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