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Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
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Author:  profchris [ Thu Jul 09, 2015 1:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
A couple of months ago I discovered that in the 30s Martin built a batch of oddball guitars for the Paramount guitar company. They left the backs off, no sound hole, and added a banjo-style resonator back instead. I had to do something similar, just to see how it turned out.

So I made a concert scale camp uke without a soundhole from oak, added a koa and oak resonator back, and strung it as as 8 string taropatch with low/high G for the fourth string. And here it is:

Image

Image

Image

Image

The bridge is only temporary, to help me get the string spacing, and it needs more finish on the neck, but essentially done. Sounds like this:
Author:  SteveSmith [ Thu Jul 09, 2015 1:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
That is cool - nicely done sir [:Y:]
Author:  Chris Pile [ Thu Jul 09, 2015 2:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
Well, I like it a lot. I wonder, if anyone ever built a mandola or mandocello with a wooden top such as yours?
Author:  jfmckenna [ Thu Jul 09, 2015 3:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
Neat. I would love to see/hear a sound clip.
Author:  J De Rocher [ Thu Jul 09, 2015 4:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
Very cool. It looks and sounds great. Nice performance too.
Author:  cphanna [ Thu Jul 09, 2015 5:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
I'm not sure what I am seeing. I'd call it a banjo mandolin or banjo mandola with a wooden head...but what do I know? Who cares how it is classified? I think it's pretty darned cool.

How do YOU want it to be classified?

Patrick
Author:  ericschaeferguitars [ Thu Jul 09, 2015 5:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
Very unique! Cool idea, sounds great too!
Author:  rtpipkin [ Thu Jul 09, 2015 10:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
That's awesome!
Author:  jfmckenna [ Fri Jul 10, 2015 7:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
jfmckenna wrote:
Neat. I would love to see/hear a sound clip.


Oops never mind I see it now. That's very cool what a fantastic sound and a sweet little shimmy too.
Author:  Pat Hawley [ Fri Jul 10, 2015 7:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
Very neat. Loved the video.
Pat
Author:  SteveSmith [ Fri Jul 10, 2015 8:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
So Chris, what did they call them back in the '30's?
Author:  giltzow [ Fri Jul 10, 2015 12:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
Cool! I like it. Nice video - Mike
Author:  profchris [ Fri Jul 10, 2015 2:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
SteveSmith wrote:
So Chris, what did they call them back in the '30's?


Here's the headstock to answer you

Image

More info at

http://www.vintagemartin.com/Martin30_Paramount_L.html

I think a wood topped banjo, also by Lange's Paramount corporation, was the inspiration, and in the UK Cammeyer made at least one. Info and pics at

http://www.yelvertonguitars.co.uk/banjo-restoration/

From these starting points I rather made it up as I went along!
Author:  SteveSmith [ Fri Jul 10, 2015 3:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
Thanks for the links. So looks they were calling them resonator guitars. Cool, I really enjoy seeing these oddball vintage instruments - especially when someone brings me one to fix (but haven't got my hands on one of these yet).
Author:  IanC [ Fri Jul 10, 2015 4:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Not a guitar, not really a ukulele either ...
I had a Cammeyer in my workshop a few years back. Sorry, no photos and I didn't record any more info - I was swapping the friction pegs for geared ones. The owner described it as "a cross between a banjo and a musical instrument". Sound was nothing special but he had it tuned down to Irish tenor banjo (octave below a mandolin) - it would probably have sounded better at C G D A tenor banjo tuning.
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