1906 f4

[davidb1]

What's that worth.Currently in the classifieds.I have no connection to the mandolin sale.
Just curious about the value.
http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/78939

[Spruce]

Impossible to say, unless you have a lot of additional pics...

[Kennyz55]

[Glassweb]

looks pretty impressive to me so far. seems to have a rectangular fitted case ($$$), seems to have gold-plated or brass Handel tuners (rare)... i don't see any major cracks (is that a hole in pick guard material?) or such, but would really need a good set of pix. the neck could be warped, top could be sunken. really need to see it in hand. what say ye mates? a VERY impressive looking item thus far...

[allenhopkins]

What's it "worth?" What someone's willing to pay for it. Looks like collectors' fare to me; surely a rara avis.

[davidb1]

Well obviously it's worth what someone's willing to pay.I was more curious as to whether anyone would put a figure on it.
Re the brass(gold) machine heads..there is another of the same vintage here with silver coloured machine heads.
http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/5260
Brass Handels.Is that the norm?

[danb]

I'd say $7500 if there are any unseen problems, $9500 if not. A shaped loar-style case would IMO add $2000.. which it appears to have (unusual/unique padding?). Add another $500-1000 if it's a really finely figured single-piece back, as many others in this batch are..

The crumbling pickguard is a shame, but not too big a deal to replace and re-inlay the star & crescent.

SO if everything checks out, back is nice, case is in good shape/unique.. probably a $12,500 instrument.

This is a very rare & unusual instrument, you only see a few of these come up for sale in your lifetime.

Deduct a bit if the peghead is cracked or scroll broken/missing/repaired, sometimes the torch can be quite fragile and prone to chips/loss there too

Edit- I see a guarantee label instead of Orville's face. It went back to gibson post 1911 or so for some reason. Might be the reason for the case as well, Frank Ford documented one out west coast way that had a Loar or Fern period shaped case made for it as well. Tuners (With elaborate stamping & gold color) and inlaid bridge are originals, so is tailpiece. Inlay looks in very good condition on neck (would like to see the torch!)

[sgrexa]

I don't suffer from MAS much anymore, but when I do..............

Sean

[Annette Siegel]

I'd say $7500 if there are any unseen problems, $9500 if not. A shaped loar-style case would IMO add $2000.. which it appears to have (unusual/unique padding?). Add another $500-1000 if it's a really finely figured single-piece back, as many others in this batch are..

The crumbling pickguard is a shame, but not too big a deal to replace and re-inlay the star & crescent.

SO if everything checks out, back is nice, case is in good shape/unique.. probably a $12,500 instrument.

This is a very rare & unusual instrument, you only see a few of these come up for sale in your lifetime.

Deduct a bit if the peghead is cracked or scroll broken/missing/repaired, sometimes the torch can be quite fragile and prone to chips/loss there too

Edit- I see a guarantee label instead of Orville's face. It went back to gibson post 1911 or so for some reason. Might be the reason for the case as well, Frank Ford documented one out west coast way that had a Loar or Fern period shaped case made for it as well. Tuners (With elaborate stamping & gold color) and inlaid bridge are originals, so is tailpiece. Inlay looks in very good condition on neck (would like to see the torch!)

Hiya Dan, i received these photos too, would love to have this darling and perform the restoration! The inlay on the fretboard is incomplete, it has many possible issues and the seller has indicated it has quite a few.

We'll see how it goes.

[Kennyz55]

The seller told me at offers around $2500. He said it needs a years worth of work. I'd like the restore to but it's way over my head.

[Jim Garber]

I can't tell if that is just the lighting but photo #5 looks like some sinkage. Maybe not...

I had one like this many years ago and I sold it to Harry West. I do remember that it was quite quiet as an instrument and not esp great in the tone department, certainly more of a collector's piece. I would love to see the headstock and back of this one.

Seller says "good to fair condition". I would think more than moderate restoration.

For sale! Not sure of value but its over 2500. Its in good to fair condition with original case.I have over 20 pictures, will email if interested 7 to start. .Its been in family b 4 I was born in 1944. I need to take more pictures of neck bottom .case & original cloth cover. It need to be refurbished, which takes around a year & money, The sound is still nice music to my ear.

[danb]

I had one like this many years ago and I sold it to Harry West. I do remember that it was quite quiet as an instrument and not esp great in the tone department, certainly more of a collector's piece. I would love to see the headstock and back of this one.

I almost bought that one from Harry Jim very interesting mandolin, "compression grain" on the bass side (sort of zig-zagging figure) and a large repaired top crack?

I've been in touch with the seller and have advised that he might want to take a few better pictures.. I think the condition is pretty good from what I've seen (and wait until you see the single-piece back and flamed maple neck!).

The case intrigues me. Loar period possibly, or maybe a custom from another maker. I see some clasps and padding that don't match the standard Giebs..


Edit:

Jim, was yours 6254 ?

Picture from Harry..

[Glassweb]

i believe it may be a violin/mandolin case. i see a violin and a bow in there... at least i see it in the pix that the owner sent me.

[danb]

That would be wild

I see what could be bow hair too. It's definitely got a shaped cavity for the 3rd point visible in the photo.

Here's another one we documented not long ago (appears in the Gruhn/Carter book) from the same batch:

http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/5260

Note that this is not the one we're discussing from the classifieds, but it's from the same batch!

[sgrexa]

Dawg has been known to scoop these up quick! I wonder how many he has?

Sean

[Jim Garber]

I almost bought that one from Harry Jim very interesting mandolin, "compression grain" on the bass side (sort of zig-zagging figure) and a large repaired top crack?

Edit:

Jim, was yours 6254 ?

Picture from Harry..

I think it was that one. I sold it to him prob mid 1980s. I believe that the top was cracked and sold it as-is. I seem to remember the fretboard as having more ornate inlays but that may have been just my fading memory. They still have it pictured here on the not for sale section on their catalog page.

(NFS0021) Vintage Gibson 3pt mandolin

(NFS0021) Gibson 3 Point Mandolin
Vintage, Made around 1905, Maple sides and back & spruce top. This instrument would be wanted more by A collector then a Musician because of it's early age. There was also Gibson F-2 three point Mandolins made but they were less elaborate.
(Note, So much inlay on the head stock that GIBSON was not placed there and Fancy Handel tuners also Moon & Stars on a extra thin pick gaurd) A very Beautiful instrument!
Conversation Piece, Not For Sale.

[Glassweb]

the back on the one that this thread concerns is absolutely stunning... really special!

[Kennyz55]

[pfox14]

Seller sounds like a real sweetheart. NOT!

[FL Dawg]

It's a beautiful instrument no doubt, a presentation piece. The approach to the sale is just as rare

Despite the cool inlay and rarity, I think the value (to me) is hurt quite a bit by the style of bridge and setup. The very early Gibson mandolins I have played were not as satisfying as the later models with the taller bridges. You could certainly make music with this but its primary feature is appearance. I would be more excited to pick up a truss rod F-4 and start playing.

Factor in the decaying pickguard, which really can't be fixed, and whatever restoration is needed, and it's one that I will be satisfied to see pictures of.

[Tom Sanderson]

I wouldn't feel comfortable trying to buy it. Something about it seems wrong to me. Why not just put a price on it and answer replies?

[jaycat]

Does anyone else think that label doesn't look 108 yrs old?

[SGraham]

Wow. Not the mandolin--the attitude. Just wow. If I had one in that condition for sale, I'd welcome questions. This one doesn't pass the smell test.

[Ken Waltham]

It certainly is a very unusual, and somewhat schizophrenic way of selling??? an instrument. Unusual punctuation, spelling, phrases, and that very interesting attitude. I would caution.."buyer beware".

[mrmando]

Does anyone else think that label doesn't look 108 yrs old?

Read the thread. You're right: it isn't 108 years old.

Man, that is some choice ad copy. Do they give awards for that kind of stuff?