This weeks mandolin that won't get a bid or buyer

[journeybear]

Yup.



PS: A bit of MC - Autoplay on the above led me to ... At 5:30 Jimmy Page messes about on a nice old A model, "The Battle Of Evermore."

[Chris Gray]

Another good Reverb find....

https://reverb.com/item/52800434-unb...s-natural-wood

[Richard500]

Interesting, but dating it not obvious. Seller must have too much iron in the blood if he affects magnetic poles.

[rcc56]

A real bargain here . . .
1918 Gibson A-1, only $2995 [double the usual market price].
http://www.garysguitars.com/catalog/...son-1-mandolin

The strange thing is this guy has been posting instruments at above market prices for decades, but somehow has managed to remain in business.

[Charles E.]

Do you mean like this Monteleone guitar?

https://www.garysguitars.com/catalog...ne-radio-flyer

[Jeff Mando]

In fairness, Gary is known for having super clean stuff and has been doing it a long time. And, yes, he is often pushing the market. He often has the same instruments listed for 5 years before they sell at his price. And, like previously stated, he manages to stay in business.

Also, to be fair, other sellers have also used this technique to draw attention to certain instruments. I remember a couple years ago Carters had a guitar that was once owned by Wesley Rose that Hank Williams borrowed to write some of his first songs with. The guitar without the provenance would be a $100 catalog guitar, at best -- not even close to a Gibson or a Martin -- I forget the exact asking price, but it was 6 figures. I saw it in the showcase a couple years ago. The weird thing is that is must have sold -- I don't see it advertised anymore.......makes ya think, doesn't it?

[Jim Garber]

I agree with Jeff. Many of the prominent vintage dealers decades ago were pushing the envelope. I remember that Mandolin Brothers, Matt Umanov, and George Gruhn often had higher prices and would wait until the market caught up. On the other hand I bought from all of them at some time or other when they had exactly what I wanted and I was willing to spend the extra price. Hey I even remember a maple Nick Lucas guitar that was to die for back in the 1980s. I loved it but couldn’t justify the $1200 price back then. I remember saying to my friend that that sounds like a price a store would charge for a Martín, not for a Gibson. So it goes.

[jim simpson]

Here's a Gibson that seems a bit high considering it has replacement tuners, non original case, and a headstock seam separation.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/29488862800...QAAOSwf4xiQNnj

[journeybear]

Yeah, but it's a 1909 (-ish), so ...

[Richard500]

From seller’s screen name, not likely to be interested in taking up dad’s axe.

[Bazz Jass]

Way too much going on with this 1921 F4 at Elderly, for that sort of price!

https://www.elderly.com/products/gibson-f-4-1921

"VGC+ (entire instrument except headstock overlay refinished (natural), plugged jack hole in lower bout, two top braces installed by Elderly to support top, some sinkage, top is stable)"

"Bound ebony replacement radiused fretboard with extension"

"Replacement tortoise plastic raised pickguard"

Even in it's repaired condition, I wouldn't rate it VGC+. I doesn't look great to me.

[Denis Kearns]

Way too much going on with this 1921 F4 at Elderly, for that sort of price!
………
Even in it's repaired condition, I wouldn't rate it VGC+. I doesn't look great to me.

Agreed, with the refinish job, it just looks wrong. There is something almost disquieting about the way it looks. Kinda like the “uncanny valley” condition with computer-generated face images.

[jim simpson]

Way too much going on with this 1921 F4 at Elderly, for that sort of price!

https://www.elderly.com/products/gibson-f-4-1921

"VGC+ (entire instrument except headstock overlay refinished (natural), plugged jack hole in lower bout, two top braces installed by Elderly to support top, some sinkage, top is stable)"

"Bound ebony replacement radiused fretboard with extension"

"Replacement tortoise plastic raised pickguard"

Even in it's repaired condition, I wouldn't rate it VGC+. I doesn't look great to me.

Odd finish choice for refinishing. Was in such bad shape that it needed it? If so, perhaps a darker side and back stain (could help hide plugged hole), and perhaps a vintage tint to the top. I'd want to see before photos. I agree it's a bit too steep considering all of the factors.

[LadysSolo]

Maybe they should have used the Gibson "pumpkin" finish on it - I think it would look more appropriate, YMMV.

[Richard500]

Have no idea about cost of luthier labor at Elderly or their subs, but since this is consigned, someone paid. This instrument in the before state would have to have been bought very low, or else the seller is taking a loss, IMHO.
If the originality-paramount-to-value collector folk are not lining up to buy, someone else, with different perspective, will. After all, the finish was a preference of the present owner. Then again, they’re selling it!

[journeybear]

I think it'll sell, regardless. It's priced to move - more or less - as instruments of this style and vintage tend to run half-again to nearly twice as much. Granting all that it's been through, it was still built back then with those now-aged woods.

And looks ain't everything. I'd like to hear how it sounds.

[Eric Platt]

Agree that this one will sell. The added braces by Elderly would not be cheaply done.

If it sounded good, I would consider it if looking for an F oval hole.

[Jeff Mando]

...If the originality-paramount-to-value collector folk are not lining up to buy, someone else, with different perspective, will.

I agree. When I worked at a vintage guitar shop, guitar guys would often buy a vintage Gibson mandolin to "mess around" with, not being super concerned with the fine points.

I agree the jack hole patch is ugly and poorly done, IMHO.

[Bazz Jass]

I would be interested to know where those extra braces were put, and what impact this would have on the sound? Surely the difference between one and three braces would be discernible?

Anyway, what do I know. It sold in 3 days....

[journeybear]

Yeah, not surprised. It's a player, not a collectible. I think for inclusion on this thread, an item should be way, way overpriced, just silly in that way, not just kinda weird. We've had a few examples lately that were most def weird, but not so far out of reach they wouldn't move. Like those slapped-together electric items from a couple weeks ago. If they were priced in the few-hundred-dollar range, yeah. But for only fifty or sixty bucks? They'll sell.

Ah, well. They're all "things that make you go, 'Hmmm...'" as Arsenio Hall used to say.

[Sue Rieter]

"Just kinda weird" may need it's own thread, as it is, after all, intrinsically interesting.

[Charles E.]

Flatiron pancake, over priced by about 2K I think.....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/31390915615...sAAOSwRQZiKrU4

[Jim Garber]

Flatiron pancake, over priced by about 2K I think.....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/31390915615...sAAOSwRQZiKrU4

I agree but, once again, this is in Japan. This Flatiron was the fanciest of the pancakes -- extra maple syrup and plays like butter (as any pancake should). Still...

[rcc56]

And then there's this blonde F-4 for $9750 [reduced]:
http://www.reverb.com/item/51716308-...-mandolin-1909
We've seen this seller before.

[Sue Rieter]

One offer pending. I wonder if they're being "that guy"?