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Thread: Batty Serbian Flat Back- Needs Work

  1. #1

    Default Batty Serbian Flat Back- Needs Work

    Now, I could post this in the thread about not getting any bids but the seller is not asking an insane price. The mandolin as the European Long-Eared bat on the scratch plate- not exactly typical as birds and butterflies are common but maybe, a different airborne varmint makes sense- it would do if the mandolin was made in Transylvania, I suppose. It's quite a nice instrument but sadly, it has cracks, a chunk of the headstock missing, and some burn damage. Maybe, someone chucked it on the fire- or more likely somebody wanted to warm up his fingers by roasting the mandolin by a nice open fire and got side-tracked. I would be tempted to buy it if it was in the UK but it is in Ukraine and the shipping and the lunatic import costs added here just make such batty flights of fancy too expensive and I am trying not to buy more broken mandolins, as I have a fair few.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/28511367366...58ec%7Ciid%3A1

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  3. #2
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Batty Serbian Flat Back- Needs Work

    Perhaps this mandolin formerly belonged to a vampire
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

  4. #3
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Batty Serbian Flat Back- Needs Work

    I saw that too. Unusual that it has a bat *and* a snake head!
    Jim

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    Default Re: Batty Serbian Flat Back- Needs Work

    Perfect for a duet with this one:

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  7. #5
    Registered User Ranald's Avatar
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    Default Re: Batty Serbian Flat Back- Needs Work

    That does need work. And the seller should work on a good story to increase its value. (Who's the "Bill Monroe" of Serbia and who hated him?)
    Robert Johnson's mother, describing blues musicians:
    "I never did have no trouble with him until he got big enough to be round with bigger boys and off from home. Then he used to follow all these harp blowers, mandoleen (sic) and guitar players."
    Lomax, Alan, The Land where The Blues Began, NY: Pantheon, 1993, p.14.

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    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Batty Serbian Flat Back- Needs Work

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I saw that too. Unusual that it has a bat *and* a snake head!
    A snake head with a tooth ... or is that a forked tongue?

    Possibly perfect music to be played on this. (Not exactly what I was looking for, but 'twill do.)



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  9. #7
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Batty Serbian Flat Back- Needs Work

    I recall a batback or maybe it was a bowlbat from Hanoi that showed up a few times here.

    I think it had fang-holes rather than curlicue f-holes.

    Mick
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  10. #8

    Default Re: Batty Serbian Flat Back- Needs Work

    Here, for posterity is the area that was burned. I was thinking it may not have been an open fire- it could have been scorched by super-fast playing.

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    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Batty Serbian Flat Back- Needs Work

    Ouch! It may even be quite toxic, heavy metals.

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  14. #10
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Batty Serbian Flat Back- Needs Work

    Quote Originally Posted by NickR View Post
    Here, for posterity is the area that was burned. I was thinking it may not have been an open fire- it could have been scorched by super-fast playing.

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    Because the player has been down to the crossroads?
    Anybody planning to play this instrument again should perhaps consider silver strings for protection.
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

  15. #11

    Default Re: Batty Serbian Flat Back- Needs Work

    He may also have had a hell hound on his trail but my solution would be to stuff the body with garlic and that would keep everybody away- not just the esteemed Count and werewolves for good measure. Mind you, if you just play in the daytime, you should be okay.

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  17. #12

    Default Re: Batty Serbian Flat Back- Needs Work

    First, you get a Harmony Batwing…
    Not too excited about the Serbian Punk Folk genre, but I do like how MOTS plastic makes nice veiny bat wings.

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