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Thread: It's an F, it's not an F

  1. #1
    Registered User mandolin breeze's Avatar
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    Default It's an F, it's not an F

    The enduring shape of the F model continues to inspire. I don't believe that Justin made the connection to it's mandolin heritage. It's really an innovative instrument with some sweet sound. Can you imagine this guy on a real F pumping out da blues?

    The "Smoothtalker" . . . .



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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    Actually, it is really more like a wood-topped banjo with added horns.

    More info from Gruhn Guitars site.

    Here's a Mervyn Davis mandolin from 2014 thread.
    Jim

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    Registered User mandolin breeze's Avatar
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    [QUOTE=Jim Garber;1790789]Actually, it is really more like a wood-topped banjo with added horns.


    Was referring to the overall shape . . . but actually, I think it is much more mando inspired than the B word.

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    Unless I am not seeing something here, I am not sure what function those horns accomplish except to disguise its banjoness. If you remove them you have a guitar that looks like a wood-topped banjo.
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    Registered User mandolin breeze's Avatar
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    We're talking form not function here. Take the "horns" off an F model and you've got an A. I'll give you there isn't an oval or f holes. So we've got an instrument Rorschach test it seems.


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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    Quote Originally Posted by mandolin breeze View Post
    We're talking form not function here. Take the "horns" off an F model and you've got an A. I'll give you there isn't an oval or f holes. So we've got an instrument Rorschach test it seems.
    The horns were added to a circular body. The F-mandolin’s scroll and points are carved together. If anything Davis’s guitar looks like an electric guitar. I do like his adventuresome designs. And the guitar certainly sounds great.
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    I must agree with Jim, when I first looked at it I saw a banjo with horns. The resonating area is round, like a banjo. It could have been made to look different, but it is round, like a banjo. Hence a banjo electric guitar, or something like that.
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    I like how the reinvention of acoustic has its pickup plugged in, instead of letting its character shine purely through the mic....

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    Registered User mandolin breeze's Avatar
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    Thanks for playing along gentlemen. I must make one more attempt to bolster my initial point. Disclaimer: I ain't no dang banjer picker, so I'm admittedly biased.

    Let's make it a quiz . . . Is A or B more likely the inspiration for the Smoothtalker?


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    Last edited by mandolin breeze; Oct-11-2020 at 11:54am.

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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    A Fender stratocaster would a closer resemblance than either the mandolin or banjo. This shot shows an elliptical center as opposed to more round in the initial shot.
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    The Deering Crossfire is what came to mind first. This has a wonderful sound for sure.

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    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    Or the maker could have done something like this...

    https://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk...MaAq0nEALw_wcB
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    Nice sound !

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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    It looks like an irradiated guitar. Some luthier near Chernobyl.

  16. #15

    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    I thought the soundboard/body was round at first. Took me a while(right after he mentioned it) that it is really oval.

    Just me?

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    Yes, you are correct that it is oval shaped. I actually like the look but am really not sure, other than as a strap hanger, the practical purpose of the horns. I would think a hornless model would be a lot lighter. I would love to play one. Maybe one of my local boutique stores down in NYC has one.

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    Jim

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    Front Porch & Sweet Tea NursingDaBlues's Avatar
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

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    It's actually the guitar that John McEuen plays. Don't know why, but it is.

  19. #18
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    All right, enough of this guitar stuff, here is the mandolin version, available for all you fans at Gruhn's.
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    Jim

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    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    All right, enough of this guitar stuff, here is the mandolin version, available for all you fans at Gruhn's.
    It might be a Triceratops?
    Bernie
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    Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.

  22. #20
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    Interesting to see the side view of the mandolin. The top, as far as I can tell, looks like it doesn't have an induced arch. I wonder if there is any bracing at all under the top.
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    but that's just me Bertram Henze's Avatar
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    Default Re: It's an F, it's not an F

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Interesting to see the side view of the mandolin.
    Yes, it's neither F nor banjo, it's a log cabin.

    And the zero-pressure construction of the bridge indeed seems to indicate that the top plate might be thin and without bracing - OK, it's a log banjo.
    Last edited by Bertram Henze; Oct-17-2020 at 12:06am.
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