Gibson, eh? [Archive] - Mandolin Cafe Forum

Jul-09-2006, 8:16pm

That was the truss rod cover that Gibson put on the Epiphone mandolins but the name should have been inlaid on the headstock. As that is a pacrim mando and the Epiphone is the same it was probably an easy fit. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

I just asked him for the serial number and asked if he knew how old the mandolin was. This should be interesting. At 350.00 it's about 5 times what it should sell for.

mythicfish

Jul-09-2006, 8:39pm

Buy it for the truss rod cover and turn it into a lapel pin.

Curt

Jul-10-2006, 7:16am

The answer from the seller is:

Do not know the year. Model: MM20 TR, Serial: M9611016

It's an Epiphone.

Jim Broyles

Jul-10-2006, 3:08pm

I suspected as much. Think we ought to set him straight, or let the buyer beware?

JEStanek

Jul-10-2006, 7:48pm

Set him straight. If you know something ain't right you should do something about it... Not everyone has this resource.

Jamie

Jul-10-2006, 8:20pm

I told him what it was and gave him a link to the MM-30 on Musicians Friend for a reference when he sent me the info. The serial number and model are on the auction in the questions.

JEStanek

Jul-11-2006, 6:53am

Way to go Diego!
Jamie

sprucetop

Jul-11-2006, 8:10am

Unfortunately he did not include in the question/answer section that it is an Epiphone. I think I'll ask him if it's an Epiphone and we can see if he publishes that.

Jim Broyles

Jul-11-2006, 2:35pm

I told him what it is and what it's worth. Hasn't changed nor responded.

Jul-11-2006, 2:38pm

I told him what it is and what it's worth. Hasn't changed nor responded.
Thankfully he's the winner of 'the auction that is least likely to get a bid this week' award anyway.

otterly2k

Jul-12-2006, 10:45am

This is the seller's reply to me:

"Says Gibson therefor it is, after a bit of research from your question, It was built for Gibson by Epiphone, none the less, it has a legitimate Gibson label on it. Many manufactureres sub-contract to other makers....take some of the major guitar labels, Fender comes to mind. None the less they sell it under their brand name. Evidently Gibson felt well enough about this maker to put their name on it. Correct me if I'm wrong.
THX for the education. I still stand by this as a Gibson. I have posted the Model and Serial Numbers on the auction."

Jerry Byers

Jul-12-2006, 10:49am

The original Honda Pilot was made by Isuzu. Does it make it an Isuzu or a Honda?

otterly2k

Jul-12-2006, 10:52am

Well, he can sell it as a Honda... er, Gibson, I suppose, with some legitimacy... but it just smells like someone who'd rather dupe a customer to get as much $ as he can than be honest about the item.

Jerry Byers

Jul-12-2006, 10:53am

I agree.

JoeD

Jul-12-2006, 11:41am

Even assuming he fairly described it in his auction (and he didn't), someone went to a lot of trouble to remove or cover up the Epiphone name on the headstock and logo on the pick guard. In my mind, it's fraudulent, and I've sent e-bay an e-mail encouraging them to review this auction.

Jul-12-2006, 11:49am

I couldn't get them to remove a fake F5 (that was obviously fake) that had The Gibson inlaid in pearl on the headstock, I don't think they'll take this one down. I seriously doubt he will get bid one and if he does I'm sure somebody will break all of the eBay rules and send the bidder a message telling them what they are really bidding on (I won't).

With reference to the Honda/Isuzu question, is <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Mandolins-All-Wood-Honda-Mandolin-Pack-Brand-New-2006_W0QQitemZ130006452106QQihZ003QQcateg
oryZ10179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">this auction</a> for a Hondo or a Honda? The headline says Honda but Bobby's slick audio file says Hondo. I hate it when this happens. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

bradeinhorn

Jul-12-2006, 1:02pm

what a dirtbag. i think it is a woman too.

otterly2k

Jul-12-2006, 2:42pm

Latest response to my suggestion that he/she set the price too high for an Epiphone-made instrument (that are less than $200 new) and that it wasn't quite honest to bill this as a Gibson with no further specifications...

"I don't wamt to misrepresent anything. I am an advid guitar player with 3 Taylor's and 1 Limited Edition Takamane.......I will change the verbage of the auction.... I have talked to one of the big stores here in the Phoenix valley and they said that based on the possible year and the quality of the instrument that it along with the strings and the custom fit case that is easily worth $300.00. So based on your feedback to me. I will start the next auction at a base price of $275. Thanks."

JoeD

Jul-12-2006, 5:09pm

Too bad. On the other hand, there's enough information there for someone with basic googling skills to find out this is a rip off. Hopefully buyers will beware.

jim simpson

Jul-12-2006, 5:15pm

I hate when one does a "Gibson" mandolin search on Ebay and you get the Epi's or worse, some generic mandolin with "Gibson strings". I see this done with other instruments too (w/Gibson strings) just to get their item to show up on your search.

Jul-12-2006, 8:40pm

I had a Yairi guitar from the early 70s's that was a Martin 00-28 clone. eekBay pulled the auction because I stated that it was like the 00-28 and that was 'keyword spamming'. I relisted it as a Yairi with Martin strings, a Fender polishing cloth, and a Gibson pick. I included those items in the sale. That was ok. It wasn't keyword spamming. Simply stating in the body of the auction that it was like a 00-28 wasn't OK. Go figure.

One of my favorite listings is the guy selling cr@ppo mandolins as 'New Vintage Mandolins'.

By the way, it won't sell at 275.00 either. I didn't realize they were still selling this model:

MM-20 (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-MM20-Mandolin?sku=518689)

It might be worth it if the case is a Calton....

bradeinhorn

Jul-13-2006, 5:24am

"Brad, I'm not trying to trick anyone....This isn't even my mandolin. Thanks for your research, I will change the auction and drop the price. Lynn"

Jul-13-2006, 6:33am

Except....

It's still out there with the same description and price.

jim_n_virginia

Jul-13-2006, 8:10am

I couldn't help myself... I sent him an e-mail too lambasting him for selling an` Epiphone as a Gibson.

I know how it feels to be on the recieving end... the very first mandolin I bought years ago was a Rover that I got used in a pawn shop for $169.00 (and the guy swore to me that all the pros play a Rover! LOL!) and a week later I find out you can buy them new for $89.00

I can't believe I was so uninformed back then. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

otterly2k

Jul-13-2006, 8:48am

The description now has this line added (although the heading and rest of the description is the same):
THE LABEL INSIDE READS: EPIPHONE MM20TR, SN: M9611016

And the starting price has been changed to $150

Bluegrass Boy

Jul-13-2006, 8:55am

If Gibson feels comfortable putting their name on the instrument I think it's fair that if you do a search for Gibson you get a bunch of Epiphones. Just as long as they are described as Epiphones.

Jul-13-2006, 9:02am

OK, here's the score card. If you buy this vintage Epiphone MM-20 you will pay $150.00 plus the $28.00 shipping for a total of $178.00. If you go to musiciansfriend.com and buy the mandolin and case you'll pay $129.99 plus $29.00 for the case and get free shipping for a total of $158.00. Granted you lose the option of calling it a vintage Epiphone (for a few weeks or so) but you do get the Gibson guarantee. I'd go for the new one if I was buying.

This just in. An Epiphone MM-20 with case for $99.00.... Yes, for only $99.00 you can own a fine pre-owned MM-20. Here (http://www.themandolinstore.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=7704) is the link.

pettyman

Jul-13-2006, 9:39am

Well.

I've just sent him a messge as a "potential buyer". Seeing how honest he will be with me.

You guys are great - the mandolin ebay police - not much gets by does it!

Matt

JoeD

Jul-13-2006, 9:49am

Even as edited, it's still a misleading description in my book, but it's certainly better than it was.

otterly2k

Jul-13-2006, 10:57am

I've corresponded with the seller a little bit. Seems to be listing for a friend, and has no idea about mando values and was given conflicting info. Based on our conversation, I don't really believe there was malintent here, just cluelessness and some wishful thinking.

I encouraged the seller (name is Lynn, so I don't know if it's a man or a woman) to consider keeping it and playing it, since he/she obviously finds it appealing.

Here is the relevant part of the response:
"I just may ask what she would take from me to purchase it and keep it.....It's absolutely gorgeous, sounds great and might be a great addition to our acoustic JAM sessions. I appreciate your feedback and helping me in assesing it's value. Lynn"

Just doing my part to convert the masses...
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Jul-13-2006, 12:30pm

The friend she/he is selling for should be family as she/he is selling a mandolin that belonged to her/his late father-in-law.

HarmonyRexy

Jul-16-2006, 6:13am

The bid on this is over $200, even with the updated description.

JoeD

Jul-16-2006, 1:35pm

Holy cow. It sold for $319.

Out of idle curiosity (and procrastiation while working on a Sunday) I looked at the buyer's other auctions. She bought an intermediate-to-advanced mando book a week ago, and the rest of the purchases are women's clothes or fashion items. Somehow I'm guessing it was bought as a gift.