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Thread: Vintage case for sale

  1. #1
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    I'm sure those of you who watch the vintage sales have noticed this <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Gibson-Mandolin-Case-for-Fern-F-5-1920s_W0QQitemZ200100313161QQihZ010QQcategoryZ62
    3QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">case</a> for sale. The outside is so beat up I wonder if it would really be worth restoring, as this I assume would lessen its value as a vintage item. Once restored I guess it would be somewhere in between a new repro and an original.

  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    I watched a very similar case sell a few years ago on eb@y. A guy named Howie sold it to a guy named Mitch. If I recall the price was $1500.00. It was in a little bit better shape on the outside but it wasn't pristine by any means.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  3. #3
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    I remember that case from last year, it was in very good condition as I recall. So who is the guy that restores cases? I have an old shaped one that needs to be recovered on the outside.

  4. #4
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    I don't think we're buying a case here, we're buying the illusion that we have the original case with our 20's Fern. That is where the value is. He could by a Calton or a Peg as well for the same amount but it wouldn't be "original".
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  5. #5
    Registered User cooper4205's Avatar
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    doesn't F5journal restore old cases?
    Wes
    "i gotta fever...and the only prescription is more cowbell!!"

    '87 Flatiron A5-JR/'25 Gibson A-JR

  6. #6
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    I got a case guy in Richmond, Virginia. An old aviator who was in the ladies handbag and luggage business (along with doping his canvas plane). You've never met such a curious man - about 85 years old and still going strong.

    f-d
    ˇpapá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

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    These cases go back and forth. I bought one from a guy, had it for a year or 2, then the same guy bought it back from me. "Round and Round".

  8. #8
    Formerly F5JOURNL Darryl Wolfe's Avatar
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    Yes, I restore cases. #But that one is beyond my ability to "get there" with it. #It needs to be properly recovered and then would be worth about half value. #And I mean properly recovered ( no brown alligators or anything)

    PS: that case is equally original to a '24 Loar, so the value is up there for the Loar owner with no original case at all.

    Paganoni is the man to send it to.



    Darryl G. Wolfe, The F5 Journal
    www.f5journal.com

  9. #9
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by
    no brown alligators or anything
    Leopard skin maybe?
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  10. #10
    Registered User f5loar's Avatar
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    The case finished at $875 including the shipping to a 5th last minute bidder. Much cheaper then I thought it would end up at. With a $200 recover job it would be a nice case.
    You seldom see Loar/Fern owners go out in the orignal case. Most Loar/Fern owners have cases far superior to the original design. The most carried is the Calton fiber case.

  11. #11
    Formerly F5JOURNL Darryl Wolfe's Avatar
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    The case was a steal at that price
    Darryl G. Wolfe, The F5 Journal
    www.f5journal.com

  12. #12
    Registered User f5loar's Avatar
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    You can say all you want about ebay being great or not but where else today would you find an original 20's F5 case at bargin basement prices? There are plenty of bargins to be had on ebay every second. Then again there are some real rip offs on ebay. Just the other day I was needing an original owners manual for my old Cadillac and this is what I found on ebay: item no. 110116275300. I think I'd rather have 2 of these cases!

  13. #13
    wannabe mandolin wizzard bluesmandolinman's Avatar
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    ok folks now check this auction.....

    same case but different price ...
    Fern case DELUXE
    Carl Martin - Everyday I have the Blues

    My gear : 1927 A0/Ajr , JM-11 , Fender 346 white XH

  14. #14
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Mitch bought a similar case a few years ago from Howie Banfield for the same price in an auction on eB@y.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  15. #15
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    Mitch's stuff often goes for about 2/3 of the BIN price.


    Curt

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    Maybe I'm missing something here, but I would rather put my vintage F5 in a Calton and spend the $2400 on a snakehead or something I could play rather than on an old beat up piece of luggage.

  17. #17
    Registered User f5loar's Avatar
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    yep, you're missing something! Who wants a Rembrandt without it's original frame!

  18. #18
    Registered User Glassweb's Avatar
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    I'd buy a great Loar even without the rectangular case and I'd certainly buy a great painting without its original frame... case and frame nice... Loar and Rembrandt nicer!




  19. #19
    Registered User bradeinhorn's Avatar
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    mitch bought this one too and has it up for 2495!
    www.bigdrawbluegrass.com

    Voight A-5
    Bayard GBOM

  20. #20
    Formerly F5JOURNL Darryl Wolfe's Avatar
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    Actually, looking at the new pictures, I could do wonders for the look of that case. It likely would bring $2000-2500 after my magic.
    Darryl G. Wolfe, The F5 Journal
    www.f5journal.com

  21. #21
    Registered User f5loar's Avatar
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    yeah but you got some other "magic" you gots to do first before you tackle such a project as that wreck!!!!!

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