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Thread: Mandolin obsessive-compulsive disorder

  1. #1
    WeberMAS Survivor PsychoMando's Avatar
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    So here’s my story. #By day I’m a forensic psychologist. #But by night, I reclaim my humanity through music. #For 26 years, I’ve played on a trusty, but simple, Ibenez mandolin. #In celebrating our 20th Anniversary, my beautiful bride said she wanted to buy me the mandolin of my dreams – which was of course a Weber!

    Never a man to keep things simple, I immediately proceeded to torture Mary and John at Weber with custom requests for my Yellowstone. #Here’s some of what went into the “Weber-Wonder.” #

    First, what you don’t see:
    · Tone-bar bracing, which ages better over time.
    · A cedar top, which makes for a richer sound and better projection.
    · A McIntyre Acoustic Feather pick-up, the perfect assist when playing with enthusiastic banjo players, electric keyboardists and drummers. #

    Second, what’s up front:
    · A custom “filled” tailpiece (Mary’s idea) that matches the color of the cedar top. #
    · A “Wood-Nymph” with custom inlay of “Hypomone” – a Konia Greek word that roughly translates “God’s grace under fire.” #
    · A fossilized, walrus-bone bridge and nut. #This improves tone and volume. #Vern was kind enough to create a custom “Brekke” bridge on this. #
    · The Gecko inlay in the scalloped fret-board. #In the desert Southwest, the sighting of a gecko is considered to be a blessing upon a home. #The three stones on his back are sapphire – the stone for September (the month we married and the birth month for both of our children). #
    · I wanted a finger rest, and Mary wisely suggested making it scalloped to flow with the fret-board.
    · A truss-rod cover inlaid with “Wonder” – my middle name (my parents had a sense of humor). #
    · The “Fern” abalone headstock. #An upgrade for the Yellowstone.

    Thirdly, on the back:
    · A cross in the heel – a reflection of the most significant relationship in my life.
    · The headstock inlay – the date of our 20th wedding anniversary. #This was an innovative design suggested by Mary.

    What can I tell you? #She plays like a dream. #This truly is a treasured family heirloom that, by God’s grace, will be passed down for generations. #The team at Weber was fantastic to work with, and Mary has the patience of Mother Theresa. #

    So if you’re ever sitting in a jail in Tucson, Arizona, and having a psychologist evaluate your sanity, ask him about his Weber-Wonder (maybe he’ll put in a good word to the judge!).
    Heres some photos . . .



    Psychomando
    Faithful sherpa to some Webers
    "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's Lloyd Loar!"

  2. #2
    WeberMAS Survivor PsychoMando's Avatar
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    Picture of the Gecko-Mando
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    Psychomando
    Faithful sherpa to some Webers
    "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's Lloyd Loar!"

  3. #3
    WeberMAS Survivor PsychoMando's Avatar
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    The wood nymph and bone bridge
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    Psychomando
    Faithful sherpa to some Webers
    "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's Lloyd Loar!"

  4. #4
    WeberMAS Survivor PsychoMando's Avatar
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    A picture of the gecko.
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    Psychomando
    Faithful sherpa to some Webers
    "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's Lloyd Loar!"

  5. #5
    WeberMAS Survivor PsychoMando's Avatar
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    A picture of the headstock
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    Psychomando
    Faithful sherpa to some Webers
    "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's Lloyd Loar!"

  6. #6
    Registered User Lane Pryce's Avatar
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    Thumbs up

    Paul your new mandolin simply rocks. I'd love to hear a sound clip ----- Lp
    J.Lane Pryce

  7. #7
    WeberMAS Survivor PsychoMando's Avatar
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    The cross inlaid on the heel.
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    Psychomando
    Faithful sherpa to some Webers
    "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's Lloyd Loar!"

  8. #8
    WeberMAS Survivor PsychoMando's Avatar
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    Inlay on the back of the headstock (Mary's idea)
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    Psychomando
    Faithful sherpa to some Webers
    "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's Lloyd Loar!"

  9. #9
    WeberMAS Survivor PsychoMando's Avatar
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    Thank you for joining me in my obsession!
    Paul - "Gecko-Mando"



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    Psychomando
    Faithful sherpa to some Webers
    "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's Lloyd Loar!"

  10. #10
    Registered User Doug Edwards's Avatar
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    Cool. I can identify, O.C.D. is a close companion of myself as well. Did you have trouble sleeping at night, thinking of different ideas for the mandolin? I go through that when doing a new project. Until the voices in my head tell me to go to sleep.

  11. #11
    WeberMAS Survivor PsychoMando's Avatar
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    Very much so! Except it's the voice of my wife beside me in bed that says "Shut up and go to sleep."
    Psychomando
    Faithful sherpa to some Webers
    "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's Lloyd Loar!"

  12. #12
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    You've certainly made this instrument your own. Congratulations.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  13. #13
    Registered User bradeinhorn's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by (MikeEdgerton @ May 24 2007, 19:51)
    You've certainly made this instrument your own. Congratulations.
    Yup. but i think that gecko might just need some pearl earings #

    Enjoy!



    www.bigdrawbluegrass.com

    Voight A-5
    Bayard GBOM

  14. #14
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Do geckos have ears?
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  15. #15
    Registered User bradeinhorn's Avatar
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    Interesting question Michael. Check this out (from animal diversity web)

    "The ears can be seen on the outside of the gecko as small holes on both sides of the head. It is possible to see straight through the head of these geckoes through their ears."

    So - perhaps one earing through his head?
    www.bigdrawbluegrass.com

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    Bayard GBOM

  16. #16
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by
    So - perhaps one earing through his head?
    That might ruin the aesthetic balance on the gecko inlay
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by (Gecko-Mando @ May 24 2007, 18:38)
    So if you’re ever sitting in a jail in Tucson, Arizona, and having a psychologist evaluate your sanity, ask him about his Weber-Wonder (maybe he’ll put in a good word to the judge!).
    The only thing more beautiful than the mandolin is the story. Congratulations on such a successful marriage and two beautiful children.

    Now if I had only heard this six years ago. Sigh. Oh well, you probably wouldn't have believed I was framed either.



    Bible thumping heavyweight evangelistic boxing kangaroo

  18. #18
    WeberMAS Survivor PsychoMando's Avatar
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    Forget the pearl earring. #Let's give him an ear "gauge", a couple of body piercings, dark eyeliner, and turn him into a "Goth-Gecko-Mando". #Then we can sit around and play dark poetic musings, philosophize about Monroe's darker side, and talk about the futility of it all. #So "bluegrass" becomes "blackgrass" and turns into an alternative culture phenomenon, wherein the music is regularly banned from the airwaves . . . . . .
    Oh, I'm sorry. #I drifted off for a moment. . . But don't worry, the doctor says the medications should kick in any day now . . . .Gecko-Mando #
    Psychomando
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    "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's Lloyd Loar!"

  19. #19
    Registered User grassrootphilosopher's Avatar
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    [/QUOTE]The only thing more beautiful than the mandolin is the story.

    Another nice fact is that you live in Tucson AZ, a place that I have fond memories of. By the way, is there still a bluegrass festival at Lake Havasu AZ?

    And also, aren´t wifes wonderful. Mine reminds me of closing the windows when I´m bearing down on the instrument, she comments favorable when I have a genial streak in my picking, she lets me (and our son) go to festivals she doesn´t chose to attend.
    Olaf

  20. #20

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    [QUOTE] It is possible to see straight through the head of these geckoes through their ears."

    Yea, they make nice necklaces, just run a string through there ears...hard to keep in one place tho.

    Very nice looking custom Webber ya have there!
    Look up (to see whats comin down)

  21. #21
    Registered User Doug Edwards's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by (Gecko-Mando @ May 25 2007, 00:53)
    #So "bluegrass" becomes "blackgrass" and turns into an alternative culture phenomenon, wherein the music is regularly banned from the airwaves . . . . . .
    Blackgrass Rules!......

    Sorry, just don't have the same ring to it.


  22. #22
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    Looks great. Nice to have someone make "what you want" isn't it. Now that you have a great mando, you should save up for a good camera!
    Bill P.
    I am a nobody, and nobody is perfect; therefore I am perfect.

  23. #23
    Closet Mandolin Player Mark Walker's Avatar
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    Beautiful mandolin; beautiful story!

    Sometimes spousal units surprise us - mine actually talked me into having Ken Ratcliff paint an angel portrait on the back of my Silver Angel!

    LOL - I wish mine would tell ME to 'shut up and go to sleep...' (She's usually gibby-gabbing when I'm TRYING to sleep!)

    Enjoy that beautiful instrument. It'll always be 'yours.'
    "The more I learn, the more I realize how ignorant I truly am..."

  24. #24
    Registered User Kevin Briggs's Avatar
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    Looks great. You loaded up every nook and cranny with something no other mandolin has. That personal touch stuff is really cool.

    Any sound clips?
    Hamlett Two-Point
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  25. #25
    Registered User Lou Scuderi's Avatar
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    Looks great, probably sounds great too! It's nice to hear of other pickers in Tucson (I'm a student at the university). I'd assume that you mostly play bluegrass since I haven't seen you at the celtic session at the Auld Dubliner. Have fun with the new mando!
    My Instruments:
    Ellis Twin Point #524
    My beloved Old Wave #83
    Herb Taylor Bouzouki #228
    Mid-Mo M1 #4321 and M14 #176 (my first mandos)
    Scuderi #001 OM Model Guitar
    Plus a fiddle, a viola, a cello, another guitar, and (worryingly) three bagpipes.

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