Flinner's Gilchrist

[Don Grieser]

Somebody is going to get an incredible mandolin. At least Matt gets great tone out of it. Wonder why he's selling off a lot of his instruments lately?

[f5joe]

People have their own reasons for selling. I have my own for buying. Both are personal. jmho

[Tom C]

I hate it when they just say make me an offer. Why doesn't he just say how much he wants and negotiate?

[AlanN]

Because he choses not to, fer cryin' out loud...

[Don Grieser]

I've enjoyed Matt's playing for years and I've associated the tone of that Gilchrist with his playing. It's really a fine instrument, but I'm sure he'll sound like himself no matter what he plays. I wasn't trying to get into his personal business. Just wondered what he might be playing if he sells the Gil is all. Sorry if I sounded like the National Enquirer.

[boatman]

Just because one happens to be a professional musician shouldn't preclude that individual from excercising his/her right to be an entrepeneur: ie buying and selling. Presumably he will make money on the sale: good for him! Then he can buy a fine mando from one of the "undiscovered" luthiers out there, make it sound better than most other people can, and perhaps sell it at a handsome profit down the road. Go for it Mr. Flinner.

Wow, intense reactions in this thread. #

I don't think there was any suggestion that he didn't have the right to sell. #If anything, I interpreted it as concern. #We've all heard stories about musicians who have medical problems and no insurance so when someone who hadn't been selling suddenly starts selling a lot, it could raise questions. #There is that fine line between concern and invasion of privacy.

Saying "make an offer" is a valid sales approach. #Not liking that approach is a valid opinion. #If you put a price out there and it is immediately taken you'll think you priced it too low. #Make an offer that is rejected and you feel that you wasted your time. #Valid opinions all around.

[Thomas]

Can't say anything about why he might want to sell or change, but I can imagine he's like us - a mandolin junkie. For example, I've seen Wayne Benson play about a dozen times, and he's had a Tucker, 2 Paganoni's, several Gibson's including his namesake, a Loar and a Fern just in those times. Maybe they look for the holy grail like we do, except they can actually play the %&@# thing!

[Tbone]

That's odd. He's played that Gil for a while, hasn't he? Man, what a killer instrument! I took a lesson from him a while ago when he was in town, and asked why he had been selling off instruments - he sold his Gibson Bill MOnroe a while ago. Either way, he said he had just bought a house and needed to make the payments, I think.

[Brian Aldridge]

sheeesh....why are we even having this discussion? This is way out of line. How embarassing.

[mandopete]

Wow, that's ironic....I was just listening to The View From Here this morning on the way into work and thinking about what a unique tone Matt has. #I suspect it may have more to do with him than the mandolin, but I always thought it was such a signature sound. #Sort of like John Reischman and his Loar.

You could always make an offer like $300 and several really neat mandolin postcards! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Moose]

Brian: ...and I agree. As someone said above, people buy/sell/trade for various reasons... ; ALL valid to them - at the time - Some folks have the same instrument for years.., some swap like changing underwear. Probably most of us - in hindsight - can/do regret a "deal" made and the reasons for it "at-the-time" - I know I have!!## - A "weakness.., MAS?? - CAsh flow.., etc.. - Regards, Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Bluegrass Boy]

I don't think this discussion is out of line. A well known entertainer posted an ad in a classified sections on a public discussion forum. We're discussing it. What's the big deal?

[Peakbagr]

Nothing is out of line regarding the instrument, its tone, history, albums it might have played on. I think what folks are getting at is the deconstruction of Matt's reason's for selling. Unless it has to do with his wanting to replace it for a different instrument, speculation about his personal life and finances are off base in my opinion. Simply because you post here doesn't make your entire personal life fair game. I'm sure you wouldn't want us speculating about your non-mandolin life and neither would I.

[cutbait2]

he probably found a better sounding instrument for a whole lot less and he's cashing out the Gil before the word gets out that you don't have to spend 20k for a high quality F-5

[Moose]

Peakbagr: Exactly!!... Thanks! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[mandofiddle]

I had the opportunity to hear Matt's Gil backstage at a show back in December. One the the finest sounding mandolins I've ever heard. Whoever ends up with it is one lucky guy/gal...

[c3hammer]

I heard it a month ago here in Salt Lake at one of his clinics. It's a dandy alright! Too bad it's not lefty handed. LOL!

Cheers,
Pete

[Walter]

I heard that he recently bought an MK (one of those "blem" models), and since no other mandolin will ever compare, he's selling off the others and keeping the MK as his one and only instrument.

[Tim Saxton]

Yeah, wasn't it the distressed Horsefly model?

Tim

[danman]

When I want to buy or sell, this is one of the first places I look. Matt is no different. His reasons for selling are his alone. Some guys view their instruments as tools of the trade. Looking for a change is not unusual. To make a living playing music is hard enough and I wish him the best.

[Garrett]

It's perfectly normal to ask anyone you are considering buying a mandolin from "WHy are you selling it?" What could be wrong with that. If anyone is interested in buying it, ask him!

[chirorehab]

I am just curious as to what he is playing now....

Maybe, he is going to have is own signature MK!

Eric