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Thread: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

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    Registered User Matt Hutchinson's Avatar
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    Default What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    It’s my birthday tomorrow and a friend bought me this ornament of a mouse playing a mandolin. Might just be the oddest gift I’ve ever had (although I have to say I rather like it!).

    What’s the strangest instrument related gift you’ve been given?
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    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    A set of Argentine strings - I use D'Addario J74s exclusively (except on the mandola, of course, and the electric, nickel wound).

    OK, not so weird. But I can't think of any other time I've been gifted something mandolin-related.

    Oh, wait - my mom gave me my first mandolin. That WAS weird. And in so doing, ruined my life. I mean, brought into my life immense amounts of self-perpetuating joy, light, and fulfillment. Yeah, that's it.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    Matt, neither of these qualify as "odd"--rather, they are AWESOME! My son, also named Matt, gave me two treasures for Father's Day this year: A copy of the classic Skaggs-Rice vinyl, with the cover signed by Ricky Skaggs; and, an autographed picture of Tony Rice. They are now hanging on the wall in my library/office/music room along with vinyls of "The Best of the Greenbriar Boys and John Herald", "The Model Church" by J.D. Crowe and the Kentucky Mountain Boys, and Mandolin Orange's "This Side of Jordan". To give you some indication of my musical interests, on the opposite wall is a poster of John Coltrane from his "Blue Train" album. BTW: Absolutely love the "Mouse Playing Mandolin"--totally awesome!! ...Old Dog Dave
    Old Dog Dave: Do the best you can, as long as you can, and all the rest is gravy.

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    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    Strangest instrument-related gift? A lot of them seem to involve harmonicas...

    Evy Mayer gave me a Koch "Concert" harmonica, made in Germany, which was a key of C "echo harp" with two bells attached to little posts sticking up from the harp's body. Oddly, neither of the bells is pitched C.

    Lee Vaccaro gave me a Rolmonica, which is a "player piano" harmonica with punched paper tapes you crank through while blowing it. Big seller in the 1920's -- not.

    Someone, can't remember who, gave me a S S Stewart Collegian ukulele banjo, in a canvas bag, which he found in a closet. Still play it.

    A woman who saw me playing somewhere came up to me and gave me a Meisel guitar-zither, four chords and a bunch of chromatic melody strings. I tuned it up -- once -- and learned one tune on it, to play at a Ren Faire gig in Arizona. Since then it's sat in its case.

    My friend Cathy McGrath gave me a gig bag for a bowed psaltery; luckily, I had a psaltery that fit it.

    My frequent collaborator Jim Kimball gave me two 1890's Autoharps, one of which may be the never-cataloged Model 7. Or it may not. Right now I'm trying to get the back re-attached.

    My friends Bob and Karen gave me a guitar-shaped tin box, the size of a small lunchbox, with strap attachments. Too small for an instrument, but I sometimes stick tuners or other accessories in it to take to a gig.

    -- That's all that come to mind...
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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    Mine, like Allen’s, is harmonica related. A friend gave me a keychain with tiny little harmonica on it. It’s kinda cute and the harmonica is actually functional, sorta.

    My mandolin related gift (to myself) was a t shirt printed with mandolin chords, obtained here at the cafe store.

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    Registered User Dave Hicks's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt Hutchinson View Post
    It’s my birthday tomorrow and a friend bought me this ornament of a mouse playing a mandolin. Might just be the oddest gift I’ve ever had (although I have to say I rather like it!).

    What’s the strangest instrument related gift you’ve been given?
    Click image for larger version. 

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    I really like that mouse! Doesn't seem that odd to me.

    The only mandolin-related gift that anyone's ever given me was 4 tiny pieces of foam to use as harmonic stiflers between the bridge and tailpiece. Never used them - maybe I should.

    D.H.
    Last edited by Dave Hicks; Jul-29-2021 at 5:29pm.

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    Registered User J Mangio's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    A six string A style Christmas ornament.
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    2021 The Loar LM700 VS

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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    Quote Originally Posted by Old Dog Dave View Post
    A copy of the classic Skaggs-Rice vinyl, with the cover signed by Ricky Skaggs; and, an autographed picture of Tony Rice. ...Old Dog Dave
    What a great & sensitive son!!! Those are both heartfelt amazing gifts, especially since sadly T won't be signing any more photos.

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    Registered User Tom C's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    We give fun presents for Christmas. I got this oddly wrapped gift and before opening said "What is this? a scary clown statue playing mandolin?"... Sure enough, it was.

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    Every day is a gift. Sheila Lagrand's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    Strangest instrument-related gift? ...
    My friends Bob and Karen gave me a guitar-shaped tin box, the size of a small lunchbox, with strap attachments. Too small for an instrument, but I sometimes stick tuners or other accessories in it to take to a gig.

    -- That's all that come to mind...
    Was it a box like this one? https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...Anull%7D%22%7D
    Phoebe, my 2021 Collings MT mandolin
    Dolly, my 2021 Ibanez M522 mandolin
    Louise, my 193x SS Maxwell mandolin
    Fiona, My 2021 GSM guitar-bodied octave resonator mandolin
    Charlotte, my 2016 Eastman MDO 305 octave mandolin
    And Giuliana, my 2002 Hans Schuster 505 violin, Nehenehe, my 2021 Aklot concert ukulele,
    Annie, my 2022 Guild M-140 guitar, Joni, my 1963 Harmony 1215 Archtone archtop guitar,
    Yoko, my ca. 1963 Yamaha Dynamic No.15 guitar, and Rich, my 1959 husband.

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    Registered User John Rosett's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    Probably this:Click image for larger version. 

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    "it's not in bad taste, if it's funny" - john waters

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    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    Quote Originally Posted by Sheila Lagrand View Post
    Precisely. Do you have one, and if so, what-the-hell is it useful for?
    Allen Hopkins
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    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

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    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    I think it might actually be a lunchbox. Notice the sticker/decal with a pick shape and the words "Rock Star?" That's kid stuff. IMO, natch.

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    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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    Every day is a gift. Sheila Lagrand's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    Precisely. Do you have one, and if so, what-the-hell is it useful for?
    I don't (but then, I don't have a guitar, either). It looks like it could do service holding spare strings, a winder and/or nippers, a polishing cloth? I'm fond of boxes to keep stuff in, so if those suggestions don't appeal, let me know and I'll think up some other ideas.
    Phoebe, my 2021 Collings MT mandolin
    Dolly, my 2021 Ibanez M522 mandolin
    Louise, my 193x SS Maxwell mandolin
    Fiona, My 2021 GSM guitar-bodied octave resonator mandolin
    Charlotte, my 2016 Eastman MDO 305 octave mandolin
    And Giuliana, my 2002 Hans Schuster 505 violin, Nehenehe, my 2021 Aklot concert ukulele,
    Annie, my 2022 Guild M-140 guitar, Joni, my 1963 Harmony 1215 Archtone archtop guitar,
    Yoko, my ca. 1963 Yamaha Dynamic No.15 guitar, and Rich, my 1959 husband.

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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    Quote Originally Posted by journeybear View Post
    ... might actually be a lunchbox.
    Gotta love the "stitching", embossed-steel of course, around the top edge. Someone put a fair amount of thought into that thing!
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    Registered User Matt Hutchinson's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    Now that is awesome!!

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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    My (then girlfriend, now wife) snuck in and took a picture of my mandolins and then presented me with this painting for Christmas;Click image for larger version. 

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    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    That's not odd, that's wonderful! A kind, generous, and beautiful gift.

    Well, there are three mandolins, so in that sense, it is odd ...
    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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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    Quote Originally Posted by journeybear View Post
    That's not odd, that's wonderful! A kind, generous, and beautiful gift.

    Well, there are three mandolins, so in that sense, it is odd ...
    She's a keeper!

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    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: What’s the oddest mandolin related gift you’ve been given?

    Regarding my "lunch box" or whatever, I was intrigued by the strap attachments for a box as small as that.

    I put two dozen "Resist" buttons in it to distribute at a New England Folk Festival workshop I gave a couple years ago; a bunch of old folkies sang a bunch of old lefty songs and felt good and self-righteous about it. Nothing like having your overall issue positions reinforced in a safe environment, by people who all agree with you.

    Anyway, I'll continue to use it whenever I have a need to transport a small amount of musical gear.
    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
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