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Thread: Kolbe Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Kolbe Mandolin

    Hello,
    I am new top the site and very much a beginner player. My wife was at a garage sale and saw a beautiful blonde Kolbe Mandolin. Unfortunately I was at work and couldn't come by to check it out myself and it is quite a treck from where I live. Trying to do some research on the maker. What are people's impressions on these mandos? How much do they normally go for? Worth the drive to go see it? Thanks for any help.

  2. #2
    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by ramblinman View Post
    Hello,
    I am new top the site and very much a beginner player. My wife was at a garage sale and saw a beautiful blonde Kolbe Mandolin. Unfortunately I was at work and couldn't come by to check it out myself and it is quite a treck from where I live. Trying to do some research on the maker. What are people's impressions on these mandos? How much do they normally go for? Worth the drive to go see it? Thanks for any help.
    Welcome to the Mandolin Cafe -- unfortunately that is not a maker that I know much about. I did see one blonde Kolbe F-style mandolin for sale that looked very much like a standard carved (looked like maple back and sides) hand-made mandolin. There were only a few pics but what I saw looked really quite nicely done as I recall. If it is the same "Kolbe" then it looks like a decent mandolin? Probably worth a good look anyway for sure.

    The best thing is to try to find out who maked the one you are interested in.

    If you look in the "Builders" section on this web site you find this information under Kolbe mandolin:


    Name: Henson, Steve
    Company: Kolbe Mandolins
    Address: 1079 Pleasant Grove Rd.
    Chester South Carolina 29706
    Country: United States
    Link: Web site
    Phone/fax: (803) 581-2973
    Comments:
    Update: January, 2014

    I'd start there -- give him a call -- looks like he was still building a few months ago anyway.
    Bernie
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    Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.

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  4. #3
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    There's not much in the archives: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/se...archid=4587790. Someone posting as Kolbe and calling himself Steve can be found, but he hasn't been active since 2011.
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Kolbe Mandolins is listed in the builder's database:

    Name:Henson, Steve
    Company:Kolbe Mandolins
    Address:1079 Pleasant Grove Rd.

    Chester South Carolina 29706
    Country:United States
    Link:Web site
    Phone/fax803) 581-2973
    Comments:
    Update:January, 2014
    Website is here: Kolbe Mandolins
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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Kolbe Mandolins is listed in the builder's database:



    Website is here: Kolbe Mandolins
    See post #2

    In any case, the OP seems to have vanished. Maybe he bought the mandolin -- I think I saw on Craig's List and it looked OK to me for the price.
    Bernie
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    Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Strange... so sorry Bernie... I don't know why i did not see your post only pheffernan's.
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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Strange... so sorry Bernie... I don't know why i did not see your post only pheffernan's.
    No problem Jim -- I've done the same thing a dozen times!

    Did you look at the Kolbe mandolin on Craig's? It is located over in your part of the world.

    I did not mention it last night as I thought maybe the ramblinman, the OP, had his eye on it and did not want to queer his deal -- but since he has kind of disappeared maybe he has gone another direction? Anyway what I saw looked pretty decent to me.
    Bernie
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  9. #8

    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Hey guys thanks for the information. Been traveling and haven't had a chance to respond. I did take a look at the mando, but it had what looked like a hair line crack on the back so I passed. Found the craigslist ad that was mentioned, and it seemed identical to the one I saw. Still looking for an up grade to my Kentucky 150.

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Interesting... it is pretty close to me but I am in no shape to buy it. Price is decent and it could be a nice f-model for the price. craigslist ad is here -- I don't see any cracks tho the back look like slab cut maple. Here are some pics:
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    Jim

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  11. #10

    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Interesting that this is on Craiglsit now with the same pictures and your post is from 2014.

    http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/msg/5214867983.html

    I guess i'm wondering if he just hasn't sold it yet or ??



    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Interesting... it is pretty close to me but I am in no shape to buy it. Price is decent and it could be a nice f-model for the price. craigslist ad is here -- I don't see any cracks tho the back look like slab cut maple. Here are some pics:

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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    That mandolin has been on and off CL for months.

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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Nevin View Post
    That mandolin has been on and off CL for months.
    This mandolin is still on craigslist

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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    You can see current listing here.
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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Five years later it's still brand new, never played?
    The Loar LM-220 VS

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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by JPS View Post
    Five years later it's still brand new, never played?
    I will check it out when I’m in the area.I live 30 miles away.
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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by mandolinstew View Post
    I will check it out when I’m in the area.I live 30 miles away.
    I absolutely cannot wait.
    The Loar LM-220 VS

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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    I am slightly tempted to go see this mandolin but it's quite a drive. It seems a bit of a mystery that an object can be for sale for at least 5 years!

  20. #18
    Registered User mandolinstew's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by burnham View Post
    I am slightly tempted to go see this mandolin but it's quite a drive. It seems a bit of a mystery that an object can be for sale for at least 5 years!
    I keep seeing a Hohner harmonica case for eight years.The price has dropped from$15 to $10.

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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Anyone ever go check out this mandolin. I'm not really interested in it but more how/why it's been on craigslist for so long.

  22. #20

    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by jaybp30 View Post
    Anyone ever go check out this mandolin. I'm not really interested in it but more how/why it's been on craigslist for so long.
    Kinda makes me wonder if it’s just a scam at this point.

  23. #21
    Registered User mandolinstew's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    It is strange.Would have to keep listing and listing.Why not go to reverb or eBay.Could have a music store sell on consignment.I sell at a music store and do well.They try to get the highest price.

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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Well...it's July 2021 and the same photos and add is being listed on CL. I wouldn't trust it since it is being promoted as "brand new", and clearly this has been around for 7 years. In fact, the same shoes are in the one photo. I'd be cautious.

  25. #23
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    For those who want to play this game at home: https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/...338144820.html
    Jim

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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    AND…..it’s in South Florida now:

    https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/msg...443725265.html

  27. #25
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kolbe Mandolin

    Either the owner listed it yearly up here and finally moved to Florida or perhaps he just sold it to someone in Florida. In either case, it took a long time to sell 7-8 years so it might be there for a few years more.
    Jim

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