Re: Vintage Fender Mandocaster on SGW
It's been a long time since I had a custom color Fender in my hands, and I haven't studied them carefully.
The color looks reasonable. So far as I can tell, the parts appear correct for the period, though you can't judge a pickup from the outside either.
But something bothers me about the appearance of the checking. Maybe its geometry looks like it might have been human induced, rather than the result of time and nature. As a non-expert, I'm calling the odds on this one 50-50.
If I was shopping for such an instrument [and I'm not], I would have to see the cavities and the electronics from several angles before making a bid. And I don't think I would bid in any case without a clear return policy. So for me, that pretty much knocks out auction purchases.
Martin, it didn't hurt you one bit to give this one a pass. If it's real, someone got an interesting piece. If not, they're stuck with a refinished instrument that cost way too much.
Re: Vintage Fender Mandocaster on SGW
Quote:
Originally Posted by
oldhawkeye
Just went for $4,010.33
My, my, my
It just crossed my mind that in the days before the internet this would have ended up at somebody's local Goodwill store for $100-200, if that! :cool:
Re: Vintage Fender Mandocaster on SGW
With regard to dating it, that Fender decal- logo style and countour body etc is seen on mid-60s Fender instruments. That all ties in with the case, tuners etc Whether it is refinished then only personal inspection will really confirm or deny.
Re: Vintage Fender Mandocaster on SGW
The new owner now has the bragging rights of saying they "found" it at the Goodwill! :grin:
Re: Vintage Fender Mandocaster on SGW
I've never seen one sell for $4k before. Holy smokes. The ones I've seen usually sell for $2 to 2.5k.
Like this one: https://www.gbase.com/gear/fender-el...mandoloin-1956
Re: Vintage Fender Mandocaster on SGW
It's back....attempting to getting flipped for more than double
https://reverb.com/item/57516241-fen...ard-shell-case
Re: Vintage Fender Mandocaster on SGW
Re: Vintage Fender Mandocaster on SGW
Nice typo-"post" instead of pots. 1966 date-all the features, the logo, case and tuners pointed to this era.
Re: Vintage Fender Mandocaster on SGW
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Chris Gray
Basically, Retrofret took a $4000 gamble that it was all correct and original, despite the questions raised on this forum and lack of good photos on the shopgoodwill site. They won -- but how many buyers are out there for such an instrument? Maybe some rock star who just got signed and is filling their music room -- I've heard stories from Nashville of such musicians dropping $50,000 in an afternoon picking up a few new toys....and had they lost the gamble -- it would only be worth the price of a refinished vintage Fender mandolin, that is, much less than the $4000 spent. OTOH, they are in NYC so they could probably at least get their money back, so maybe not such a gamble after all...
Anyway, with the neck and pickguard off it shows many of the same Fender hallmarks seen in vintage Fender guitars -- the paint stick shadow in the neck pocket, the 60's aluminum shielding with the aluminum manufacturers ink stamping, the finish fading seen on other vintage Fender guitars, pots, etc., all check out OK. I give Retrofret credit for writing a good sales spiel explaining the rarity for those who might care.
My thinking is that if it were a Lake Placid Blue Stratocaster in the same condition it would be worth insane money. As a mandolin, who knows?
Re: Vintage Fender Mandocaster on SGW
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jeff Mando
My thinking is that if it were a Lake Placid Blue Stratocaster in the same condition it would be worth insane money. As a mandolin, who knows?
Reverb's assessment:
https://reverb.com/price-guide/guide...ke-placid-blue
Re: Vintage Fender Mandocaster on SGW
I mention Retrofret being the seller on the Reverb link. Not sure if Retrofret is actually the owner or if it is a consignment from a "speculator." Regardless, the same points apply....
Re: Vintage Fender Mandocaster on SGW
Their reverb site shows it as gone. Retrofret's site shows it as being on hold.