Donny,

Everyone knows a Gipson Fes Maul when they see one. wassamadderwidyou? I think Fran has one.

Tom

Donny...interesting. It's obviously a home made contraption...fretless...looks like two pipes for the neck and three strings. Bottom one is
probably a bass string of some kind. Can't tell about the pick-up(s) but sounds like it might be a piezo of some kind.

there are a bunch of odd-balls from minor manufacturers, like the one I just bought (UGH), but this is a little rougher than that.

Don't think I'll get one!


Russ

Thanx Russ, the body looks familiar though Hmmmmm? odd ball piece for sure....I guess there's all kinds eh?

The body (the corner I can see at least) reminds me of the top of some type of antique wooden chair!!!!!!

Well he is effective!

Probably a solid body guitar blank available from a lot of sources sawed to the shape.


R.

It's a variation of a cigar box guitar from the depression era.

The one in the video is a Lowebow Cigar box model.
http://www.geocities.com/lowebow/guitars.html

Jerry

[This message has been edited by Jerryghr (edited 02-26-2008).]

Jerry.......awesome heads up....WOW!!
very unique!!

Russ maybe you should add one to the collection.....what do they cost? Are they collectable?

Interesting, but don't think I'll get one. Recently ordered a Ministar from the posting on NAMM oddities. It is an unplayable piece of crap!

Have found out that several avant guard blues folks are using this one and I can see why.

Take my word for it...avoid, or carefully check out any instrument from Codel Enterprises. The instruments are unplayable.

R.

[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 02-27-2008).]

Tell us more Russ about your experiencs with it...it is certainly an oddity!
http://www.codelenterprises.com/ministar_guitar.html

Donny, I use a small guitar when I play B-3 to play solos during tunes. I have used one called an Austin Hatchet for years, and was looking for a replacement. I ordered one of these things and was waiting for an announced jazz version...neck humbucker and piezo. Got a little alarmed when I told the rep that it (the jazz instrument) should have ebony or similar fretboard. That was news to him.

Anyway, this thing came in. Intonation is out with no fix. It's out of tune at the first fret and then close at the octive. The nut is mounted crooked. There is a 1 mm space between the nut and the neck. The P-90 pick-up has no height adjustment at all and is open at the back. The bridge is only adjustable in height and is difficult. The strap arms are too long. The list goes on and on. Basically, it's a good idea executed very badly. I can't imagine a real luthier ever got involved in the process, and there looks like there was no QC at the offshore factory. It is chock full of basic guitar builder screw-ups.

Damn shame, because it's a good concept and, for me, at least, would have been a usable axe for jazz gigs.

What a bummer. It's a piece of crap for multiple reasons. Not even worth trying to repair.


R.

Russ thans for the reply....I knew this couldnt get by you I was wondering if the design was difficult to play with out the weigth at the body.......

have your tried the stick ?
http://www.stick.com/instruments/

Yea, donny, I've had a chapman stick for years...a REAL challenge. With a LOT of rehearsal, you can play seamless bass/lead or chords. Great specialized instrument.

Have a job in 25 minutes across town...see you folks later!


R.

Just got authorization to send the Ministar back. A shame. It would have been good as a guitar to leave strapped on while playing keys.

Have told the company of the many problems, and maby they'll get help in a re-design and QC at the factory. Actually, it was pretty comfortable and balanced with the strapmechanism. Everything else...UGH!


R.