Worst scroll of the last century?

[Bertram Henze]

Or holding an unopend can of beer.

...on the body. Plus, a cigar on the headstock.

[55bar]

[Marty Jacobson]

Oh, 55bar, that's a low blow!

[Dave Hanson]

Low but accurate.

Dave H

[55bar]

Haha, sorry I couldn't resist!

[Jordan Mong]

Please, excuse the bump, but I don't understand what was wrong with the original scroll in the OP's post. It looks like an average scroll does.

[mrmando]

Please, excuse the bump, but I don't understand what was wrong with the original scroll in the OP's post. It looks like an average scroll does.

'Twas long ago, but I think the point was that someone on eBay was trying to pass off that particular instrument as a vintage Gibson F5. And while it may look like an average scroll does, it doesn't look like a Gibson scroll does.

[Jordan Mong]

'Twas long ago, but I think the point was that someone on eBay was trying to pass off that particular instrument as a vintage Gibson F5. And while it may look like an average scroll does, it doesn't look like a Gibson scroll does.

That's interesting. I don't think I would have had the eye to be able to tell the difference. Thank you for explaining. Are there scroll measurements? Anyway to be able to tell?

[Londy]

After looking though some of these bad scrolls...I think I threw up in my mouth a little...eeek. Glad I have an A-style.

[Phil Goodson]

That's interesting. I don't think I would have had the eye to be able to tell the difference. Thank you for explaining. Are there scroll measurements? Anyway to be able to tell?

Look carefully and compare to a real Gibson. The termination of the scroll is oval, not almost circular; the inside scroll binding ends with the point pointing horizontally towards the treble side rather than pointing almost to the tailpiece. Little details that make ALL the difference! Several other differences.....

[Eric Michael Pfeiffer]

We may laugh about all of these "ugly scrolls" but the truth is some of the best sounding mandolins out there dont exactly have the tightest or purtiest scrolls or craftsmenship....

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z61lH-5J27c

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=relmfu&v=PSjJP7W0wa8

As a matter of fact in my experience some of the ugliest looking mandolins were some of the best ones I ever played. Get out there enough and get around and meet lots of different folks and different mandolins you'll soon find out...

Not at all saying that this mandolin in those videos is the ugliest or even ugly...but maybe it doesnt have the most cleanest scroll like a Gibson or Collings or even an Eastman or whatever but you can tell it sounds good..

[Michael Weaver]

I missed this thread and wanted it to come back to life.

[Tom Coletti]

I thought that the Susan Boyle case was supposed to teach us not to make fun of something for its appearance until we hear what it sounds like :/

--Tom

[FLATROCK HILL]

I missed this thread and wanted it to come back to life.

You picked a wonderful example for your attempt at resuscitiation!

[billkilpatrick]

cuuuuute!

[Michael Weaver]

I thought that the Susan Boyle case was supposed to teach us not to make fun of something for its appearance until we hear what it sounds like :/ --Tom

LOL. I think we all know what it sounds like...

[Bertram Henze]

I thought that the Susan Boyle case was supposed to teach us not to make fun of something for its appearance until we hear what it sounds like :/

--Tom

When I get amused about ugliness, it's never about an expected extrapolation on non-visual properties such as sound, smell, taste or feel. Instead, it's about what has been attempted vs. what has been achieved. In the case of a good-sounding mandolin with an ugly scroll, there is a pathetic element about putting in considerable extra work to ruin what could have been a perfectly beautiful and good-sounding A style.
A more telling analogy would not be Susan Boyle singing, but Susan Boyle wearing a thong bikini.

[FLATROCK HILL]

A more telling analogy would not be Susan Boyle singing, but Susan Boyle wearing a thong bikini.

Dear Mr. Henze,

I just finished reading the last line of your post. That was a very clever and fitting analogy. While I realize that was only an analogy, I would like to suggest that even the 'idea' of S.B. wearing a thong bikini is a bad one.
Then I noticed your signature slogan below the post. Yes, the world and my mental retina would have been better off without that one!

[Londy]

I missed this thread and wanted it to come back to life.

Looks like a sharpie made scroll

[Paul Kotapish]

I have to agree. It's one thing when a funky scroll is the result of rudimentary skills or crummy production. This thing is made with superior skills and expertise, and it's just willfully clunky. The Gibson F design--weird though it is--is a wonderful expression of the aesthetic of its time. Try as I might--and I have tried--I can't get the aesthetic of the Giacomel scroll. The Giacomel octave mandolin without the scroll, on the other hand, almost makes sense to me:

[Jim]

Love the Giacomel scroll myself, Very functional strap holder.

[pfox14]

[Michael Weaver]

This design reminds me of something...

[Jim Garber]

I find these Regal Reverse scroll mandolins oddly appealing, sort of funky chic.

If I ever start building I would make an upscale copy of one of these. I esp like the Smurf headstock.

Regal also made these arched top upper-end versions for the B&D label.

[Vernon Hughes]

Here's a real beauty!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-UNKN...item5663e19877