Vintage A-4 Mandolin Low Serial Number (Early Production)

[filmmaker]

I have this old A-4 Mandolin that Ive acquired. Serial Number 3187.
I know it needs restored as the body (face) has a large crack.
Is this worth getting restored? Or should I just sell as is.
Any advice would be appreciated.
I think because its early, someone may want it even in its current condition.
Im not an expert but looking for help.
Thanks to all who chime in.

B

[William Smith]

I'd sell as is if you don't want to keep it, as if you have it fixed you will probably have too much $ in it to break even depending on how much you have in it. I'm no expert on repairs but 500-700 is what it may cost you to get the top repaired, that's if it doesn't need any neck work also. Also, set-up cost. It's a nice mandolin.

[filmmaker]

What do you think it is worth in current condition, as is.
And then if I got it repaired what would it be worth?
I appreciate your expertise and guidance.

[mrmando]

This instrument is now on eBay for $2495, which is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much. It might be worth that if it were in perfect shape with the original tailpiece.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/275518823570

Realistically, you should be asking $500 to $750. Even when repaired, it'll be worth less than you are asking.

Does the back on this one look weird to anyone else? Is that mahogany? Has it been refinished?

No. 3187 should not have that label, not to mention that tailpiece. It's possible that the back has been replaced! In which case it certainly isn't worth any more than $500.

[j. condino]

"........500-700 is what it may cost you to get the top repaired......."



Very cool old mandolin.

Is that a walnut back?

[mrmando]

"........500-700 is what it may cost you to get the top repaired......."

Yeah, seems a bit low unless you know a repair tech in a generous mood.

I'd love an old Gibson with a walnut back ... but not if it's in pieces.

[rcc56]

The serial number indicates a 1905 build date, which is early enough for walnut back and sides.
The label appears to be authentic, but is from the 1910's or later. It is my guess that the mandolin went back to the factory early in its life.
The pearl ring in the rosette, if original, is an anomaly.

The top damage is severe. It would probably be necessary to open the instrument to execute a good repair. Or it might be a candidate for a new top. Note the grain cracks in the peghead.

$2500 would be a reasonable price for a crack-free A-4 in reasonably clean and original condition. Top dollar for an unusually nice one might be $2800.
This one, if very skillfully repaired, would bring far less.

[mrmando]

The pearl ring in the rosette, if original, is an anomaly.

True, the original would be ivoroid, no?

[journeybear]

So, you're asking whether you should sell it, but you already have it up for sale on eBay?

Expect this thread to be shut down soon.

PS: From the description:

The Original Label is in the inside. - Nope
Original Tailpiece. - Nope
Mandolin has condition issues. - Yep

[Jim Garber]

He is currently asking $1700 which is far too much IMHO. I guess it will go further down.

Too bad. I love that inlaid “South Jersey” pickguard.https://www.ebay.com/itm/275518823570

[mrmando]

Since I'm watching the auction, I received an offer to buy it for $1250, which is the high end of what it might be worth after repair/restoration.

[NickR]

As mentioned, the label is wrong and the number is below what one would expect even the earliest A4 to have- so beyond the damage there are questions that need answers.

The mandolin is not snug in the case- is it a rarer mandola case?

[mrmando]

As mentioned, the label is wrong and the number is below what one would expect even the earliest A4 to have

Yes, the label is wrong, but no, lower serial numbers are known to exist, including on A4s.
http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/3121

[mrmando]

He is currently asking $1700 which is far too much IMHO. I guess it will go further down.

Now down to $1500. This is kind of like a "Dutch auction," no?

[jim simpson]

Buy it now is $999.99. The 9's have it.

[journeybear]

I say, "Nein!"

[mrmando]

Buy it now is $999.99. The 9's have it.

Where's Herman Cain when you need him?

[keith.rogers]

$850 + tax/s&h. Still there, if anyone is interested. (BTW, GC has a 1915 all in one piece, though fairly rough looking for less than 2x the price. I *have* stared at that one a couple times, and it has recently come down. Little bits of mop missing from its tuners, and other question marks, but it looks fairly solid.)

[filmmaker]

you guys remind me of the two old guys on the muppets. Statler and Waldorf I believe.

[Charles E.]

you guys remind me of the two old guys on the muppets. Statler and Waldorf I believe.

Fair play. However I do think you are getting an accurate assessment of the value of your mandolin. It has major damage that would cost a great deal of money to repair.
To your point about the muppets, there are a number of grumpy old white guys here, my self included (sometimes).

Good luck with your sale.

[journeybear]

We do get like that sometimes, it's true. But rarely without justification. Kidding aside, though, what you have there is what used to be a very nice mandolin, but it's been through a war or two or three. I've no idea what you paid for it, but the cost of restoring it would be prohibitive - you would never be able to recoup your investment if you had a luthier do the work. But you might find restoring it yourself could be a worthwhile pet project, a labor of love not unlike restoring a terribly beat-up old car. Yes, it would take a lot of doing, a lot of learning, a considerable investment in tools and time. You'd be donating your time to the cause, of course. But at the end of it, you may very well end up with a decent player and a bunch of stories.

[mrmando]

Sold for $699.99 ... not bad, all things considered. That is within the $500 to $750 range as I predicted.

But does that make me Statler, or Waldorf?

[journeybear]

Realistically, you should be asking $500 to $750.

Pretty goshdarn good estimating, there.