Yes, indeed. That someone is me.
I've been looking for one of these for ages, and the price was right - not entirely, but close enough.
I'd had a line on one through Bruce Weber this past winter, for a bit less, but learned that being second in line doesn't make much difference if the first in line wants it. That led me to the 1916 A4, which is all right in some ways but still not my Dream Machine. This could very well be that. I'll find out by this time next week.
The serial number is 70944, which puts it at the early end of the Loar era, by my calculations - late 1922. The Mandolin Archive has 70946, which looks very similar. They didn't have the FON; I'll know soon enough. It's in beautiful shape, a few dings here and there, one small stress crack in an out-of-the-way location. The weirdest thing is the nut - looks like it was replaced with piece of mother of pearl, not bone - so says my luthier. That will need to be replaced, as it's cracked, and some frets will as well - all within reason, on a 99 year old instrument. He also says that if I didn't buy it, he would.
That's what I call a recommendation.
So hopefully I'll have finally assuaged my MAS, and will be able to move on to simply enjoying my good fortune. Though there's still that elusive resonator mandolin ...
Ah, this should hold me for a good long while. And I've finally reached that level of mando-mania, in having spent more for a mandolin than any car I've ever owned. What an extraordinary feeling, to have finally gotten my priorities straight!
I may have to continue eating rice and beans for a while longer than I'd anticipated, but it will be worth it.
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