It's a mandolin, probably a well meaning amateur built it. I've never see that particular shape but we get odd shapes all the time here. That is one thick top.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
Looks like it was made by Rorschach.
Charley
A bunch of stuff with four strings
"Kansas education sticker" = shop class project, maybe?
Concur on the top thickness -- might be fun to string it up anew and see what it sounds like...
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
Love the painted binding.
Might make a good electric instrument if you slap a pickup on there. Then the too-thick top wouldn’t matter. It actually might be a good thing and fight feedback.
Don
2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
2011 Weber Bitterroot A
1974 Martin Style A
I think I saw more than one instrument with similar strange body geometry being sold by Elderly or similar retailers. The listings credited a prairie folk builder. Unfortunately I was unable to any of the listings, but I'll see if I can unearth them again at some point....
The shape somewhat resembles instruments made by the Shutt Company of Topeka, Kansas. Those instruments were made in the 19-teens. Some time ago Gryphon had a couple of instruments made by Woody Williamson of Elmira, NY that seemed to be Shutt inspired. If you search you can still see the pictures and listings even though they’ve been sold. I don’t think your instrument is a Shutt but it’s likely Shutt inspired, especially being made in the same state.
Don
2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
2011 Weber Bitterroot A
1974 Martin Style A
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