Ethical Dilemma

[jaycat]

I believe Martin has made mandos with no logo on the front of the headstock. Others here can verify.

I'd leave it alone. You have a great instrument; be happy.

Or we can swap even up if you want. My Rover very clearly reads "Rover" on the headstock. :-)

[journeybear]

You can have my mandolin when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers!




PS: I said Rover at first but I meant Rogue, and changed it to that.

[Mattg]

You can have my mandolin when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers! ]

So I take it you are not worried about resale value.

[journeybear]

No, actually, I never was. I have no plans to sell it, and past history indicates this would be unlikely to occur. It's really all about aesthetics versus authenticity. I have already had a 1/4" tailpin jack installed, so it is no longer truly collectible. This is what I alluded to in an earlier post, my reluctance to modify it unless necessary. Not that adding something to the pegboard is necessary - it obviously isn't - but since it isn't, I have been struggling with whether such a superficial concern is sufficient grounds for altering the instrument, and whether it is right to do so. And of course, if I ever do sell it, I will tell the prospective buyer about any modifications, including this, the jack, and the crack in the top which I really should get fixed, one of these days. Is a repair a modification? But as I have learned that Gibson itself approves of this particular modification and does so itself, I am satisfied it is all right to do it. The next question is cost, which could put the whole issue on the shelf.

[mtucker]

i never saw a headstock that a Chacita Bananna sticker wouldn't beautify.

word:

[Dobe]

BEDAZZLER !!

Like that E-Bay F-4 had done a while back in some post or other !!

[journeybear]

Oooooh ... wise guy! Why, I oughta - Nyuk nyuk nyuk!

[Nelson Peddycoart]

I have a '28 A that I got from my grandfather. The pickguard has a "bedazzled" heart on it. I don't know the story behind it, but I wish I had asked.

[Wolfboy]

I actually rather like the fact that my '20 A has a blank headstock. It looks cool sitting on its stand next to my Sobell cittern, which also has a completely bare headstock (as do all of Stefan's instruments, if I'm not mistaken). It's almost as if they're both saying they have nothing they need to prove...

[catmandu2]

I actually rather like the fact that my '20 A has a blank headstock. It looks cool sitting on its stand next to my Sobell cittern, which also has a completely bare headstock (as do all of Stefan's instruments, if I'm not mistaken). It's almost as if they're both saying they have nothing they need to prove...

yep

[J.Albert]

Put a piece of black electrical tape over the top of the peghead, like that other guy out from California way does with his.

- John

[MikeEdgerton]

So I take it you are not worried about resale value.

I'm not sure it would adversely affect the price of the mandolin.

[F-2 Dave]

I'm not sure it would adversely affect the price of the mandolin.

Ouch!

[Bertram Henze]

Just leave your tuner clipped on there to dress it up.

Either that, or a capo

[Bertram Henze]

Even more style concepts...

[journeybear]

How does this stuff get past my spam filter?

[MikeEdgerton]

Ouch!

That's not a slam, that's simply the truth. Adding a logo that might have been there anyway on a fairly common model isn't going to nail it to the ground. It might even make it more attractive to the buyer.

[Fretless]

Hi journeybear,

Those Gibson A's are so pretty, but yeah, I get what you mean. If you do decide to put something there, I vote with mandolirius - a silk screened logo fits the era and there's no gouging involved. Cheaper, too. Key West has lots of competent artists who can help you choose the right shade of white and do a professional job.

Not quite the same, but I have a Santa Cruz guitar with little shooting stars inlaid on the fretboard. Looks great. Recently I learned that a friend also has a custom Santa Cruz but she went a bit over the top with inlay and now she's too embarrassed to let anyone see it.

So "The Gibson" on the headstock might be a nice way to dress up your mandolin, as opposed to, say, a pearl 6-toed Hemingway cat...

Fretless

[allenhopkins]

Bit (well, a lot) of a hijack, but have people seen Grit Laskin's inlay work on his Toronto-made guitars? Grit puts pictures, scenes, mini-murals in mother-of-pearl on his instruments. Take a look at his "inlay gallery."

Grit is also a fine mandolinist, guitarist, and concertina player, a member of the Friends of Fiddler's Green, a stalwart of the late Stan Rogers's back-up band, and a fine duet partner with Ian Robb. He's a good songwriter, and a friendly, humorous person to boot. All that talent...

[journeybear]

Gallery is the right word. That is more than fine crafstmanship, that is art. I will keep that in mind if I ever get around to having a custom-made instrument.

The local fix-it guy has been out of town since last spring, but he is back for a couple of weeks, and stopped by our gig Thursday. I explained what I wanted done - The Gibson, in period-correct script inlay - and he thinks he can do it. Fortunately, I have the perfect model - my 1916 mandola. So once he finishes sorting out some legal wrangling concerning the family homestead up in Georgiabama, and comes back down for the rest of the winter, I believe he will be able to take care of this. I didn't ask if he knew where to get mother of pearl - maybe someone has some ideas about that. Thanks, everybody!

[MandoNicity]

bit (well, a lot) of a hijack, but have people seen grit laskin's inlay work on his toronto-made guitars? Grit puts pictures, scenes, mini-murals in mother-of-pearl on his instruments. Take a look at his "inlay gallery."

grit is also a fine mandolinist, guitarist, and concertina player, a member of the friends of fiddler's green, a stalwart of the late stan rogers's back-up band, and a fine duet partner with ian robb. He's a good songwriter, and a friendly, humorous person to boot. All that talent...

wow!!!

Jr

[Ed Goist]

Wow, that inlay work of Grit Laskin is pretty incredible. Thanks for posting Allen!

Here's some of the inlay work done by Jason Harshbarger on his Highland Strings mandolins & guitars:




Journeybear; I think you should get the
polar bear on your Gibson!

[Ed Goist]

Here is another example of Jason's inlay work...
And something you don't see every day...
A duck inlay on a harp!

[journeybear]

And now ......... Before ...................... After ...................... Too far.

In other words, A - A-1 - A-4. Much as I'd like the fleur-de-lis, it's inappropriate. Capisce?

[Ed Goist]

Yea, but you've got all that room up there...In for a dime, in for a dollar!
([after seeing the added Fleur de Lis]: Better...)
Too much?!...But isn't more always better?