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Thread: Cautionary tale, I gambled and lost.

  1. #1
    Registered User dustyamps's Avatar
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    Default Cautionary tale, I gambled and lost.

    I just bought this 1916 A model on ebay. Seller "mandolin is in good condition and plays great. We are not instrument experts so there may be issues we are unaware of". Well, the mandolin is in great condition, but the hidden issue is that the top arch flattened out and half of the inside brace under the soundhole is completely seperated from the top. I gambled and lost this time.
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  2. #2
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cautionary tale, I gambled and lost.

    You may be able to return the mandolin. Have you talked to the seller? Most of them are humans ad if you explain the situation and also maybe price out the repair to get it back to playable. I don’t know how flat the top is but a good luthier would be able to reglue the top and perhaps with judicious humidity get it back to close to normal arching. I have had that experience a few times and you may be able to come to some sort of agreement. Good luck!
    Jim

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  3. #3
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cautionary tale, I gambled and lost.

    Nice looking mandolin though, I especially like the pattern on that pickguard.

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  5. #4
    Teacher, repair person
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    Default Re: Cautionary tale, I gambled and lost.

    One of the good things about Gibson mandolins from this period is that Gibson did not skimp on the quality of the wood they used for the top brace.
    These braces are made of very stiff wood, and were cut with a tight radius.

    I've encountered this problem several times, most recently last month.
    In most cases, when the brace is correctly re-glued with hot hide glue and the right clamping cauls, the re-glued brace will push quite a bit of arch back into the top. On last month's job, the repair induced enough arch into the top that it was necessary to re-fit the bridge.

    But like the problem with the stubborn nails in your other thread, this repair should be addressed by a seasoned repair person who has experience with this problem and has the right tools and cauls for the job.

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  7. #5
    Registered User dustyamps's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cautionary tale, I gambled and lost.

    These old Gibson oval holes are my kryptonite, like I really need another one. But at $795 plus tax, I couldn't resist. I tried, but I had to go for it. I emailed a really nice guy in Montana who has done work for me before about repairing the top. Even the best case scenario of reclamping the brace and try to gain more arch plus shipping is way more than I can handle right now. Tough having a really nice A that I can't play. I know it needs to be repaired to be rescued though I so I'll keep hiding it from my wife till I can get it repaired.

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