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Thread: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

  1. #1
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    I may be type-cast as a shill for John's store, but he is having a fairly big end-of-year sale, with several Gibsons and Martins, the Gelas family of instruments -- mandolin through mando-bass -- that he's had for awhile, and a whole bunch of domras of different sizes. Also a case for a K-4 mandocello, which is a pretty rare bird.

    Plus some nice bowl-backs with significant mark-downs. Nothing that I'm crazy to buy, but with the impact of the pandemic, I'm trying to support local dealerships when I can.

    And speaking of local dealers, Dave Stutzman is selling a pretty cool Regal "harp mandolin" from the collection his late father Eldon started decades ago. Wishing both John and Dave the best, as we all try to survive the virus and get through to the other side.
    Allen Hopkins
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    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
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    Play on FredK's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    Allen, I was doing real good this year controlling my MAS while looking through the Classifieds and some of the Cafe sponsors' sites, then you had to go and post this. Now I'm trying to talk myself out of one of the Gibsons on their site. And the thought of trying to justify the purchase to my wife.
    "If your memories exceed your dreams, you have begun to die." - Anonymous

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    Pataphysician Joe Bartl's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    Allen, I did my best to resist the 1890 Vinaccia at Bernunzio's ... but caved last week. And glad i did. Beautiful instrument in great shape. My luthier is re-glueing a couple soundboard braces and she's good to go.

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    Over the years I've gotten some great mandolins from Bernunzio's. Wonderful shop. It's a good thing I no longer live in Rochester ...

    Joe

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    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    And, of course, I stopped in at Bernunzio's this afternoon, to leave a rare Autoharp for repair, and look at this banjo that's tweaked my BAS (and, shameful confession, I'll probably trade in one of my Gibson mandos if I make a deal); there on the shop floor were at least six brand-new Eastman MD305's -- a "case" of them just arrived from China, I was told.

    So, big days for mandolins at John B's store, no doubt; he's selling on-line or by appointment only in person.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    The one that I liked was the Bacon ff Professional #2, which has thankfully been sold.
    That squeaky clean Vega bowlback is tempting, but I probably wouldn't play it.
    And that's a lovely top-of-the-line Cole's Eclipse.

    But . . . I took the pledge a while back. So far I've stuck to it. But when something really nice comes around on sale, resistance can be difficult.

    The best cure I've found for that is to just wait, and somebody else will buy it, and relieve any temptation.
    If that doesn't work, find something, anything, that's not absolutely perfect about the instrument . . .
    If that doesn't work, y'all are on your own.

  9. #6
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    Nobody is looking at that all steel mandolin? OMG are you kidding me? That thing looks so darn cool. The store is a several hour drive from me but if work goes well and no pending snow storm I may road trip out there tomorrow just to hear what that beastie sounds like.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    Quote Originally Posted by Joe Bartl View Post
    Allen, I did my best to resist the 1890 Vinaccia at Bernunzio's ... but caved last week. And glad i did. Beautiful instrument in great shape. My luthier is re-glueing a couple soundboard braces and she's good to go.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Over the years I've gotten some great mandolins from Bernunzio's. Wonderful shop. It's a good thing I no longer live in Rochester ...

    Joe
    Joe, when you get the Vinaccia back all set up and ready to go, would you mind checking back in? Such a beautiful maple bowl on that mandolin.
    I play a Vinaccia from this era and it's always great to see / hear another one here in the US.

    Mick
    Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    Quote Originally Posted by JeffD View Post
    Nobody is looking at that all steel mandolin? OMG are you kidding me? That thing looks so darn cool. The store is a several hour drive from me but if work goes well and no pending snow storm I may road trip out there tomorrow just to hear what that beastie sounds like.
    If you get it, don't bring it to an outdoor jam session if the weather is very hot or cold . . .

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    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    I’d almost buy the K-4 case and use it as luggage!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    Here it is, the view may be cool, but very impractical: D

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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    Every year the Umberto Ceccherini drops $1000. And every year I stare at it. The glitz and fluting are pretty spectacular. I've always wondered how it sounds and why it is still for sale!

    “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ― Albert Schweitzer

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    Registered User j. condino's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    Thank you Allen!

    I just purchased that incredibly rare K-4 case for a steal and now I'm excited for a new build project for 2021! A red spruce & Brazilian rosewood K-4.....
    www.condino.com

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    Quote Originally Posted by rcc56 View Post
    That squeaky clean Vega bowlback is tempting, but I probably wouldn't play it.
    I believe that is a style 2. If you are looking for a good sounding vintage American bowlback I can recommend it. String it up with Dogal Calace RW92b Dolce strings. I have a slightly fancier style 3 in similar condition.
    Jim

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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    Quote Originally Posted by j. condino View Post
    I just purchased that incredibly rare K-4 case for a steal and now I'm excited for a new build project for 2021! A red spruce & Brazilian rosewood K-4.....
    Fantastic, James. We need more K-4 mandolins on this earth.
    Jim

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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I believe that is a style 2. If you are looking for a good sounding vintage American bowlback I can recommend it. String it up with Dogal Calace RW92b Dolce strings. I have a slightly fancier style 3 in similar condition.
    Well, not only have I taken the pledge, but the virus is driving my business down to the basement. I made $75 this week, and only expect to make $45 next week. Not the right time to buy even an inexpensive instrument, even though I'll bet that one is a really nice American bowlback.

    One of the 2 other temptations has been relieved-- the very nice white A-3 at a friendly price has sold. I'll have no trouble letting the other temptation alone, so I'm in good shape.

    If anyone in my area needs any repair or set-up work, I have space on my bench.

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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    [QUOTE=rcc56;1800713]The one that I liked was the Bacon ff Professional #2, which has thankfully been sold.
    That squeaky clean Vega bowlback is tempting, but I probably wouldn't play it.
    And that's a lovely top-of-the-line Cole's Eclipse."

    I was looking at the Vega bowlback too - that's a good price. Someone buy it so I'm no longer tempted, please?

  24. #17
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    No pressure to anyone here. I am in the same boat though really have no need for anything to add to my cluttered closet.”
    Jim

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    Registered User j. condino's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    Most of us are.

    There is a lot of temptation in that sale. I figured it was not unreasonable to think I may never see another original K4 case for sale in my lifetime without having to fork out enough $$$ to buy a sportscar because the instrument was inside & included with the sale.

    Of all the vices I could have as an adult male, nerding out about some reasonably priced old mandolins is pretty benign....
    www.condino.com

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  26. #19
    Registered User Tavy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    Someone really should buy that Vega - those are classy bowlbacks!

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  28. #20
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    Quote Originally Posted by Tavy View Post
    Someone really should buy that Vega - those are classy bowlbacks!
    And they sound great with the right strings.
    Jim

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  30. #21
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    Default Re: Substantial sale at Bernunzio's

    I want to thank whoever bought the pretty Vega bowlback for relieving me from any lingering temptation.
    I hope the new owner heartily enjoys it.

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