Snakehead A model... with pickup....

[Marty Jacobson]

Is that a Supro lap steel pickup?! Looks like a prop from a Mad Max movie.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1924-The-Gib...item25a40d2dd1

[bluegrassforme]

What a shame. Someone certainly devalued that baby as far as this market is concerned.

[Spruce]

"Also comes with the vintage cord as well."

I dunno...
That blacktop gives one quite a bit of leeway to get that back to "normal"....

Wonder how it sounds through a nice old tweed Deluxe??
Might be a fabulous electric mandolin....

[Eddie Sheehy]

There's an 'unaltered' snakehead A in the Classifieds for less...

[Tobin]

Wonder how it sounds through a nice old tweed Deluxe??
Might be a fabulous electric mandolin....

It might sound great, but the placement of that monstrosity sure would make it awkward to pick.

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

There's a reason it's hard to find. Most people won't mount a big-a$$ pickup and knobs to a Snakehead this way.

[ollaimh]

it's a crying shame. I have a snakehead. and have heard several others. they are great mandolins. shouldn't wreck it like that

[kkmm]

Hmm... that pickup more likely acts as an ugly palm rest ..
Won't complain if it is done to a Rogue mandolin.

[ollaimh]

he relisted it at a lower price. maybe after a few more drops it will be worth restoring.

[pfox14]

Yank that sucker off there immediately!!

[pianoman89]

Is it still on there? It didnt turn up in my search. If not, does anyone know what it ended up selling for?

[pheffernan]

It had been listed for $1700 when the auction ended: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1924-The-Gib.../161676196637?

[Jeff Mando]

It does look like a Supro lap steel pickup. Hard to tell if the top was cut for the pickup or if it was just surface mounted with the four screws. If the latter, it wouldn't be too hard to switch it back to acoustic, just filling some holes and touching up.

[Capt. E]

It is re-listed: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1924-The-Gib.../161695636343?

That pick-up is pretty unfortunate. Holes for the knobs etc.

Somebody offer him $500 and restore it to acoustic.

[jim simpson]

I wish there was a photo with the pickup removed. That would reveal a cutout or just holes.

[Scott Tichenor]

I refer to the modifications here as "anti-theft" devices.

[pianoman89]

Although cutouts wouldnt pose that big of an issue for a blacktop. Here is a prime example I just finished up...

[Eddie Sheehy]

I just picked it up for a "reasonable offer". I'll let you know what it looks like under the p/u.

[Eddie Sheehy]

Although cutouts wouldnt pose that big of an issue for a blacktop. Here is a prime example I just finished up...

Weren't you tempted to fill the oval hole and keep the f-holes?

[pianoman89]

I just picked it up for a "reasonable offer". I'll let you know what it looks like under the p/u.

Really? That guy cussed me out for offering offering less than he had it listed for. Anyway, hope it doesnt have a hole it the top. I think I will stay away from top rebuilds from now on, especially the black topped ones. The one I restored went for less than a grand, so theres no way I would have paid over $700 for this one. Hope you got a good deal on it, and glad its off eBay lol.

[Eddie Sheehy]

So you offered him less than $700 and he was upset with you? I'm surprised that your's went for less than 1K - even with the amount of top you replaced ( did you specify that in the description? That would have been off putting). Still, I certainly would have bid higher than 1K on it. Did you advertise it on the Classifieds or EBay? There are only lowballers and bargain-hunters on EBay who are scared of No Returns and that's where the bargains are if you are willing to take a chance...

[pianoman89]

Yes, he insisted that he had it priced extremely cheap at 1700...I have bought and sold on ebay for over 12 years (since I was 12), mostly violins, and have always done well. I did OK on the snakehead. Of course I specified the top had been rebuilt, I dont want there to be any surprises for the buyer. I got into it cheap enough, and was very happy that it went to a lady who gave it to her husband as a gift. I choose to use eBay for the quick turn around time, 7-10 days, although I have sold on the classifieds. I just needed to turn the snakehead around quick, cause another project came up. As for returns, eBay and paypal usually side with the buyer, so Im not concerned about that. And as a seller, I nearly always offer a 14 day return policy, although I didnt with the snakehead as I needed to reinvest the money right away.