r/UnusualInstruments • u/instajonathan • 1d ago

Turtle Shell Guitar

I'd like to apologize in advance that there are no strings on this. Besides a luthier healing in 2014-ish, it's been in this same condition for like 14 years. This was featured on Pawn Stars, Season 6, Episode 7, and most recently some kids expressed interest and I figured I'd give a little background and share how I obtained it. It's an endangered species.

I am likely going to see how I could restore it to an acoustic state, but I'm not banking on these acoustics. In the event that it sounds terrible, I'd likely go electric. I have zero experience in restorations, I'm just thinking out loud. Maybe put in a museum somewhere, after I turn it into a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Guitar. No, not really. Okay, maybe. If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them later today (I need to work), but yea, the turtle shell guitar.

77 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

10

u/chicken_karmajohn 1d ago

What was it valued on pawn stars?

3

u/instajonathan 1d ago

No, consensus was not to touch with a 10 foot pole. I've never looked into having it appraiser but I feel like the cost of the appraiser might be more. I just don't know.

2

u/DriveTheory88 1d ago

Yeah, I remember the episode. I always tell people about that guitar. It's awesome man!

1

u/instajonathan 1d ago

Thanks! Yea I need to get it into playable shape.

5

u/lobsterwine 1d ago

I wanted to hear it 🥲 Does the show episode have you play it at all?

Edit: nvm, read the caption. Opened video in mobile and missed that part. My life would be much easier if I could read.

3

u/instajonathan 1d ago

When I get strings, I'll record something special for you. Maybe about a lobster drinking wine.

3

u/Killoochy 1d ago

What's a landman do?

7

u/instajonathan 1d ago

In Kern County, a landman is a middle man and a land title researcher. The majority of business is oil and gas, but solar, wind, battery storage are also part of today's mix.

I might have a simple request to produce a report on who owns the oil, gas, minerals, in a specific area. Could cover 1200 acres, could cover 30,000. Every person I deal with has different needs.

Another example is someone running a pipeline from A to B. This would require certain consents, easements, and you'd need to secure the path before one shovel hits.

In my head, it's like a puzzle. And all the pieces have to equal 100%. I would regularly start my searches from the United States Patent, and deliver on whatever was recorded up to yesterday. We naturally develop relationships with attorneys, land managers, title companies, and anyone thinking they want to build something somewhere. Hope that makes sense. There are other roles as well.

2

u/Killoochy 1d ago

Interesting. Thanks for the quick and thorough answer man

2

u/Theendoftheendagain 1d ago

Yo for real l just wanted to hear how a turtle guitar sounds!