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Thread: “1915” snakehead on eBay

  1. #1
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    Default “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Here’s a fixer-upper on eBay. Seller is a bit misinformed. https://www.ebay.com/itm/13442352005...mis&media=COPY

  2. #2
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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Pretty much all there, except for the end broken off the pickguard [which may or may not be deteriorating].
    Probably built circa 1924.
    Appears to be worth fixing.
    Expect a repair bill of several hundred dollars to get her up and running.

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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Yes, ‘15 is far too early. My guess would be ‘22 or ‘23 and the case looks 1960s.

  4. #4
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Bound soundboard, double soundhole ring, binding front and back ... it's an A2, no?
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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Quote Originally Posted by mrmando View Post
    Bound soundboard, double soundhole ring, binding front and back ... it's an A2, no?
    Yes
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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Even with all its issues, and the additional repair costs, the current price of $600 makes it tempting. But with 9+ days till auction end, it could easily end up going for two or three times that. Sigh ...
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

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  7. #7
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Yeah, priced right for a project but may not stay there.
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    Notorious: My Celtic CD--listen & buy!

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  8. #8

    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    It might have been listed in "This Week's Mandolin That Will Get Plenty Of Bids & A Buyer." I reckon that it will be like that A-4 with a price that will be similar to one without any issues. It does look like a great mandolin once it has had some attention and as discussed is probably 1923/1924 with those arrow end tuners and snakehead. I imagine with a little ingenuity, that pickguard could be repaired, as well. Many days to go so I expect after a while there will be a lull and the craziness will manifest in the last 30 seconds.

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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    It still has the pickguard clamp as well. Too bad it doesn't have the original case but hey, it looks like a worthwhile project as long as the price doesn't get stupid.
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  11. #10
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    ………..it looks like a worthwhile project as long as the price doesn't get stupid.
    No chance of that happening
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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  13. #11

    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    What do you think of the seller's remark "The neck is oddly spaced further away from the body than I would expect" ?

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    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Quote Originally Posted by Ntone View Post
    What do you think of the seller's remark "The neck is oddly spaced further away from the body than I would expect" ?
    I take that as a reference to the elevated fretboard.
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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Well, today's the day. Bid price shot up to just shy of $1200 three days ago, stayed the same since. Got half a day left, see what happens.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

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    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Either it's reached its plateau, or there will be a last minute flurry ...
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

  18. #15

    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    $2247 snipe at the end! Crazy last second jump of $900 odd!

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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Someone overpaid!
    Here's another one on craigslist (the guy is listing it once in Northhampton, MA and again in Brattleboro, VT) for $1400. https://westernmass.craigslist.org/m...572316857.html

    I'd consider it if I didn't have my quiver of mandolins full! Someone close by should take a look ...

  20. #17
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    I've looked at that one on CL a few times. Looks to need some attention, but not as much as the ebay one.
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    It wasn't a bad fix, but a lot of money for a mandolin that needs work
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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Yep. It surpassed my final price estimate 2-3 times the opening price by a good bit, nearly four times that $600. Hope the new owner has deep pockets with a willingness to turn themselves inside out. Might push the outlay over $3000 before it's over, unless it's a DIY project.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Ya know, when I see stuff like this on the auction websites, I sorta suspect shill bidders along with uninformed buyers with deep pockets.

    At any rate, the buyer is likely to come out upside-down on the value of the instrument after the repairs are executed. Even if he does the work himself and does a really good job, he'll probably make only minimum wage for the repair work.

  24. #21

    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    But, it's a Lloyd Loar Era Snakehead A2...

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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Quote Originally Posted by Ntone View Post
    But, it's a Lloyd Loar Era Snakehead A2...
    Yep, and it would have been a great price for a playable mandolin.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  26. #23
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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Quote Originally Posted by Sue Rieter View Post
    I've looked at that one on CL a few times. Looks to need some attention, but not as much as the ebay one.
    Have you looked at this one?

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/199815#199815
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    2019 Hogan F5

  27. #24
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    Default Re: “1915” snakehead on eBay

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    Ha ha, no I hadn't seen that yet this morning. I was really just kicking tires but that's kind of tempting (you instigator!). He's less than an hour from me, and a Cafe denizen as well.
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

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