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Thread: mandolin worth?

  1. #1

    Default mandolin worth?

    Hi there. I was wondering if you can help me determine the value of my mandolin. It isn't stamped Dreima but I found the same mandolin on the British Museum website https://www.britishmuseum.org/collec.../H_Eu1972-01-5. I've attached pictures here. It's missing one tuner peg. Thanks!Click image for larger version. 

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  2. #2
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    Despite the fact that one is in the British Museum this is a simple lower-end German mandolin worth probably at most couple of hundred euros. It looks like it is in decent condition. Put new strings on it and play and enjoy it.
    Jim

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    Registered User Billy Packard's Avatar
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    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    What I can see of your home is lovely!

    Jim's right. Jim's always right! He knows stuffff.

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    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    Warm welcome to MandolinCafe, there’s a very friendly beginners forum if you want to learn to play, and to post some tunes?
    I wondered about your post, a couple of days ago there was some contentious talk about German artefacts at the museum. Perhaps Scandinavian too?

    Seeing that large drinking bowl in the photo, that is for a dog, right?

  6. #5

    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    Thanks for the help and warm welcome Jim, Billy and Simon! A friend of mine left this behind when he moved to Portugal. He is of Roma (Gypsy) descent and it was a family heirloom. Thought I may have stumbled on a gem since I saw it listed in the British Museum. I unfortunately don't play so I thought it was time I should let someone else enjoy it.

    Jim-I was thinking of listing it on eBay or craigslist for $150. Is that too little? Too much?
    Billy-Thanks for the compliment.
    Simon-Yep, large bowl for a very small dog.

  7. #6
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    Prices in France, 20% of these prices are silly but the rest are about average.
    https://www.leboncoin.fr/recherche?c...text=mandoline

    For yours in France it would be 60-90 euros that you could ask?

  8. #7

    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    Welcome, and pick up the instrument! Mandolins are as eclectic as a typewriter in the chimney. Since it almost doesn’t matter for value, the missing peg button would be hard to match, so anything will do, glued or melted on. A local music store might have some loose. Even a plastic electrical wire connector works (in one direction better than the other).

  9. #8

    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    Quote Originally Posted by scifiwasabbi00 View Post
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    ... dog.
    From what I can see of your houseplants, they might be unsafe for pets.

    1. The plant just to the right of the mandolin peghead, appears to be a snake plant, fifth on the American Kennel Club list.

    2. If the plant in the white pot is lucky bamboo or corn plant etc, aka NOT BAMBOO at all but instead one of the many forms of dracaena (despite stores slapping a 'bamboo' label on everything), then yep that's not safe for pets either.

    3. The plant on the left looks like wandering jew, a possible skin irritant to pets.

    There are many other (dozens) of common houseplants which are also not suitable for pet owners. In fact, it seems that the most popular, coolest looking, and easiest-to-grow houseplants, tend to be some of the worst offenders as far as pet safety.

  10. #9
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    I'm thinking a ham sandwich. What do you think Allen?
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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  11. #10
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    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    The next time I post a photo of one of my mandolins I will be very careful to not show the contents of my house.

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  13. #11
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    That "wandering Jew" plant has nothing on the meanderings of this thread...

    Not even a "ham sandwich," Mike, this is like asking about the sandwich and getting replies discussing sanitation in the deli's kitchen. Possibly useful information (didja wonder why the place is called "Subs By Sal Monella?"), but quite unrelated to the OP's questions.
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  15. #12

    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    It could be argued that complaining is more disruptive than simply allowing a bit of friendly conversation between willing participants.

  16. #13
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    Quote Originally Posted by JL277z View Post
    It could be argued that complaining is more disruptive than simply allowing a bit of friendly conversation between willing participants.
    Yeah, it could be -- but not convinced that all participants are equally on board for discussion of pet-toxic houseplants. Check out Hudmister's Post #10.

    If the OP's cool with it, forget what I posted -- but, the "ham sandwich" argument is for when one replies to the original question, with information directed to another question entirely:

    Q. "Whaddaya think of the Kentucky KM-150?"

    A. "Have you considered the Eastman MD-315? I think it's a great instrument; I own one and play it continually. I've never played the Kentucky, but I unhesitatingly recommend the Eastman."

    Happens all the time. Have to say I've never before heard this one:

    Q. "What's my Dreima mandolin worth?"

    A. "Some of your houseplants may be dangerous to pets."

    Something new every day, I guess. No offense intended, but I was replying to Mike E's question -- hopefully in a lighthearted tone...
    Allen Hopkins
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  18. #14
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    It’s a setup, that you’re going to need if you do intend to play it.
    A lot of these instruments have action that is too high to play.

    Also, make note that we have a very diverse group of some highly qualified people on MandolinCafe, men and women and others from many countries throughout the world. Yet probably more than half don’t even speak English!
    So you’ll get a huge variety of responses to whatever they understand from your questions, implied, graphic or otherwise.

    It is a nice mandolin and here on MandolinCafe you’ll find all you need to play it beautifully!

  19. #15
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    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    A close up inspection of your mandolin reveals the finish is worn off the back of the neck and also a wear spot on the back of the body where it rubs while being held, suggesting it was played quite a bit. If so it is probably already well set up and may need no further work other than tuner repair and strings. A new set of tuning machines for a slot head mandolin can be had for little expense. It may be you have a real player there. If you have no interest in learning to play the mandolin I hope you find a loving home for it where it can sing again.

  20. #16
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    Can you say how high the action is? -the gap between the strings an the fretboard.
    One way to check is to take a coin and see if it will fit between the fattest string and the fret at the twelfth fret. It’s marked by the spot nearest to the sound hole.
    Tell us (and what type/how many coins ) and that may give you a better idea of the value.

  21. #17
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    Default Re: mandolin worth?

    Or better yet please post a photo of the mandolin from the side so as to show the strings above the fret board. A close up will be very helpful.

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