I don't think I've seen an unbranded Vega cylinderback before. Is that what we have here?
https://reverb.com/item/44721320-j-b...-vega-mandolin
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I don't think I've seen an unbranded Vega cylinderback before. Is that what we have here?
https://reverb.com/item/44721320-j-b...-vega-mandolin
It looks like a Vega to me.
The shop is notorious for a lack of descriptive information in their listings, especially over the last few years.
I just messaged them to see what the label says and If there was a case. Will post it here if they message me back.
Looks like one too many strap buttons.
A Gibson style tailpiece in place of the cloud type.
Am wondering if this was left handed at one point? The strap button and tan line at the bridge make me wonder.
If it doesn't need work, seems to me like it's a good deal.
I would definitely want to put a cloud tailpiece on there, just for aesthetics.
That tan line at bridge is due to it being offset. It’s way off-center toward the treble side, and the slots (if cut?!) appear to be accommodating the offset. Eric’s likely correct; it was used left-handed, and the switch back to right-handed was poorly done. Not a big deal, but certainly something the seller should/could have remedied.
yeah, slotting of that bridge is just weird. Is that an original bridge?
They are not good at replying to inquires either (it's been 24 hours, almost). Maybe they don't work on Fridays. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by rcc56
So I did what any red blooded American would do ...I put in a bid.
I've never seen one for less money. Though mandolin prices seen to be trending down.
...and I just sold this.
Well, if the braces are not falling out of it, $479 is certainly a friendly price.
Strange, though. That shop is also known for stiff prices.
Several times over the last few years, I have gotten the impression that the shop's owner may not be going to his store very often anymore.
It is a guitar shop in LA known for extremely expensive 6 figure vintage guitar sales and geezer rockers that hang out there. They don't really care about mandolins or know them....
It's not exactly rocket science to look for them to look up comparative market prices for Vega mandolins these days. We've got this thing called google, and they can look up sold listings on Reverb. That's why the $479 price puzzles me. In the past, they had another Vega cylinder back in there, and some old Gibsons, all at characteristically stiff prices.
By the way, I've been there 3 or 4 times-- my father lived in the area. I bought a guitar from them maybe 20 - 25 years ago. They seemed to be a lot more savvy in those days than they are now. The last time I was there was around 2007 or so. By that time, both their stock and their knowledge was declining. From what I see in their current Reverb listings, they seem to have declined further.
Maybe one of y'all should grab that thing at $479, before they change their minds. It's a friendly price even if it needs major fret work and the fingerboard straightened.
There is a Vega Model 20 Cylinder Back Mandolin in the Mandolin Cafe classifieds selling for $1,500 that looks quite similar.
Maybe the employee looked up J. Barnard as the brand, and not Vega... Prior to them listing this off brand Vega, a google search of "J Barnard Mandolin" only shows $199 Tater Bugs... or if they are selling mostly extremely expensive 6 figure vintage guitars, this mandolin is just an annoyance and they don't care.Quote:
Originally Posted by rcc56
Which somehow reminded me of Evan C. Kim: Loo (segment "A Fistful of Yen") from 1977's Kentucky Fried Movie.
Loo : And who are they?
Dr. Klahn : Refuse, found in waterfront bars.
Loo : Shanghaied?
Dr. Klahn : Just lost drunken men who don't know where they are and no longer care.
Prisoner #1 : Where are we?
Prisoner #2 : I don't care!
Loo : And these?
Dr. Klahn : These are lost drunken men who don't know where they are, but do care! And these are men who know where they are and care, but don't drink.
Prisoner #3 : I don't know who I am!
Prisoner #4 : Yeah. and I don't drink.
Dr. Klahn : Guards!
[moves prisoners]
Dr. Klahn : Do you care?
Prisoner #5 : No.
Dr. Klahn : Put this man in cell #1, and give him a drink.
Guard : What do you drink?
Prisoner #5 : I don't care.
Unfortunately that happens at times when there is a generational change in ownership. It pretty much doomed Mandolin Brothers because Stan was a larger than life walking encyclopedia of knowledge. It definitely changed First Quality Music totally. They are still in business but they aren't the store they were before Bill Sullivan's passing. There are some bright spots like Stan Werbin and his efforts to make Elderly survive. I think they will do just fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by rcc56
I scratched my head at Stan Jay's children's inability to negotiate with a computer problem that disabled their on-line sales.
It makes me wonder if Stan made any attempt to train his children??
I know that there are software engineers who can write a program for an on-line retail store, and in the mean time, they could have listed hundreds of instruments on www.gbase.com for an affordable monthly fee.
At least Eric Sullivan is still working. Although his new home and shop were heavily damaged in two storms shortly after he moved, he is gradually negotiating his way through those problems and will come out okay in time. By the way, Eric is very good at his banjo building and repair work. He is very busy because of the backlog that developed because of the damage to his home and shop. As a result, he is sometimes a little slow on keeping up with his correspondence; so anyone who is making inquiries might have to exercise a little patience.
What does the label say?
Thanks,
Mike W.
P.S. Is there a case?
Mike W. Oct 15, 2021 03:54 AM
Hey Michael, Brandon here. While searching for a case earlier we realized that there was actually an unfortunate error and this mandolin isn't in the shop anymore. I ended the listing-- sorry about that!
Norman's Rare Guitars Oct 16, 2021 05:25 PM
Previous Offer Activity
about 3 hours
Norman's Rare Guitars declined $325 + $75 shipping from You
WELL THAT WAS A BIG WASTE OF TIME
The good news... scored 2 tickets to Little Feat at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Fl. 1/25/2022