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Thread: What is my Grandfathers Mandolin worth?

  1. #1

    Default What is my Grandfathers Mandolin worth?

    My sister received my grandfather's mandolin after he passed away. She would like to know what it might be worth (she could use the money) and what is the best way to sell it.
    Not sure if an Imgur link works or is permitted but I will try.

    https://imgur.com/a/WdlVSi8

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Last edited by Andyl; Dec-25-2020 at 12:49pm.

  2. #2
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: What is my Grandfathers Mandolin worth?

    Quote Originally Posted by Andyl View Post
    My sister received my grandfather's mandolin after he passed away. She would like to know what it might be worth (she could use the money) and what is the best way to sell it.
    It looks like a Regal reverse scroll mandolin. There’s one like it, in seemingly worse cosmetic shape, for $99.99 on Reverb:

    https://reverb.com/item/35715979-vin...andolin-1920-s

    The best place to sell it would be the classifieds on this site, but most here would urge your sister instead to learn to play it.
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  3. #3

    Default Re: What is my Grandfathers Mandolin worth?

    These Regal reverse scroll mandolins were made at a number of price points over a 20 odd year period until about 1935. Yours appears to be in good order but it is one of the lower cost and very common versions. Most are in a bad way when they appear on eBay. Some have a pickguard- I don't know if there are two screw holes on the top- and I can't see any which would indicate it once had one. There was one for sale in the UK where they are much rarer and it was in good order and made a respectable £173. There is what looks like a pickguard for one of these on eBay right now for a fairly low price if you need one. Here is the mandolin that sold in the UK.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Regal-rev...p2047675.l2557

    However, back in the USA, this one which is just like yours- no pickguard and I can't see screw holes in good order just made it past the $65 mark.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-192...p2047675.l2557

  4. #4
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: What is my Grandfathers Mandolin worth?

    As others have noted, these were budget mandolins and often sold wholesale by the half dozen. Your grandfather's is in good shape but getting $150 would be a very good price, more likely lower.
    Jim

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  5. #5

    Default Re: What is my Grandfathers Mandolin worth?

    Gumby's alter ego.
    "I play BG so that's what I can talk intelligently about." A line I loved and pirated from Mandoplumb

  6. #6
    Registered User PlayerOf8's Avatar
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    Default Re: What is my Grandfathers Mandolin worth?

    i just purchased this same model but with binding and better wood from Bernunzo's Music for $400.
    Last edited by PlayerOf8; Dec-25-2020 at 5:19pm. Reason: addional text

  7. #7
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: What is my Grandfathers Mandolin worth?

    While some continue to use the colloquial name of "reverse scroll" the Encyclopedia Mandolica cites the proper name for this style mandolin as "Papa Smurf".

    Mick
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  9. #8
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: What is my Grandfathers Mandolin worth?

    Quote Originally Posted by PlayerOf8 View Post
    i just purchased this same model but with binding and better wood from Bernunzo's Music for $400.
    I don't see any reverse scrolls om Bernunzio's site any longer. Was yours a flattop or a arched one?
    Jim

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  10. #9

    Default Re: What is my Grandfathers Mandolin worth?

    This rather delightful bound 1920s example with a body that looks to be rosewood made $355 a month ago. It is clearly a fair few rungs up the ladder in terms of build quality and materials. It may have once had an engraved tailpiece cover.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-REG...p2047675.l2557

  11. #10
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: What is my Grandfathers Mandolin worth?

    Ah, yes. I love the little curlicues on the headstock and the end of the fretboard. And the extra point on the treble side of the lower bout.
    Jim

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  12. #11

    Default Re: What is my Grandfathers Mandolin worth?

    I will load up a photo for posterity!

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  13. #12
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: What is my Grandfathers Mandolin worth?

    I've always wondered why we don't call them Man-gnome-lins.

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