An old mandola sees the light of day

[Jofrid]

My great uncle John bought this Mandola and it passed to me 40 years ago ... I have stored it ... had two musician friends over the years play it which was fun ... and beautiful ... but it may be time to let it go to someone who will play it ... not store it ... just thinking ... it is a Gibson Mandola Style H-1 #367## ... is original case and used very very little ... so it is in excellent condition ... I don't know a lot about Mandolas ... but it sure had a great sound when it was played ... my question is ... is this an unusual instrument ... or are they common ... and what might the ranges of value be ... I have to get over the sentimental value ... but I also think it should be played ... thanks ... John

<img>http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/jfinet/Ebay/P1010058-s.jpg</img>
<img>http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/jfinet/Ebay/P1010057-s.jpg</img>

[James P]

Allow me.
http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/jfinet/Ebay/P1010058-s.jpg
http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/jfinet/Ebay/P1010057-s.jpg

Can't say as to the value, but it looks to be in great condition.

[James P]

Here's one. (http://www.guitarandbanjo.com/details/3897.html)
They're asking for $3200.

[James P]

Here's another (http://www.vintagemandolin.com/18gibsonh1_41898.html) for slightly less.

So, there it is pretty much. #
I think having it played would be good thing too.

If your friends aren't interested, the Cafe's classifieds would be a good place to list it. #A shop would offer you quite a bit less than street.

[Jim Garber]

Here's another (http://www.vintagemandolin.com/18gibsonh1_41898.html) for slightly less.
Note on the one on Charles' site:
The original top was cracked beyond repair so it was professionally replaced by luthier Harry Eibert and finished in the correct pumpkin color for an aged finish. Harry even reused the original sound hole rosette. The backs, sides and neck finish is original. All hardware is original but the pickguard is missing.

Jim

[James P]

Do I hear $2k, back unseen? ;-)

[mandroid]

the Top has grown some character..

[mandolooter]

send it my way..i'll give it a test drive and re-acquaint it wit a good pick whoopin n see if it'll wake up!

looks highly desirable to me...

[sunburst]

That's a fine looking 'dola. It's the kind of thing I'd love to have passed down to me whether I could play it or not.
Believing that it should be played is a noble thought, I suppose, but the fact is that instrument will outlast all of us unless it is damaged by some accident or vandalism. It will be played again whether you sell it or keep it for sentimental reasons.

[Antlurz]

Curious intonation setup on the bridge, it seems. Since I'm not too experienced on these critters, I may be all wet, however.

Wierd string sizes on the original setup?

Ron

[Hans]

Ron, here's another one from Dan's Archives. Looks pretty close.

[markishandsome]

As to the question whether it is an unusual instrument, I'd say it looks to be in unusually mint condition. That would likely fetch an additional premium price above the other examples posted. That being said, the sort of people who go for that sort of thing are more collectors than players, so it might just go into storage in a nicer display case. Have you considered learning to play it yourself?

[Jofrid]

Thanks for the comments and help with pictures ... it is a pretty instrument ... after looking at some other pictures of Mandolas ... mine doesn't seem to have been used much and has been stored well ... there is a piece of tin foil under the first string at the top (don't know names of parts) ... which must have been added by one of my two friends who played the instrument years ago ... I know the first time we played it new strings were installed ... not sure what that tin foil was for ... but I do remember liking the sound of the instrument being played well ... I will have to think hard about selling it ... jofrid

[Antlurz]

Ron, here's another one from Dan's Archives. Looks pretty close.
Very interesting. And you are quite correct. It's virtually identical.

Oh well, I need to scratch my head anyhow.....

Ron

[twaaang]

Antlurz, the bridge compensation that you spotted looks not unlike the custom carving I'm having done as a replacement saddle for my Rigel mandola, trying to optimize the intonation for D'Addario Flat-Tops. #I had been having a lot of trouble with the flat second-course (D) strings on the stock compensated bridge, but never expected to find that they actually had to be shorter than the first-course (A) strings. #I expect to report on this elsewhere (not hijack this thread any further) when I have the actual result.

Jofrid, that is a beautiful instrument indeed, I wish I were in a position to make an offer. #-- #Paul

[Duc Vu]

Keep it! It's never too late for you to learn to play, and then you will have the best instrument available.

[uncle ken]

Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320097457660&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:12) is a similar one that just sold last week for around $1800. This is probably the best place to look for current pricing. Asking prices at store websites don't tell you much.

[Jim Garber]

Mandolas are, by nature, less common than similar mandolins of the same era, since there were generally less people who polayed them. This one looks pretty good shape structurally, tho I would not say mint. It looks like there is some "orange-peeling" of the top finish and it is missing the pickguard. As far as collectors go, this is not particularly a super-desirable instrument. Also, bear in mind that even tho it is less common than a similar mandolin, there are less people interested in owning these.

That is not to say it is a nice and good playing instrument and worth something.

BTW do you know what type of music your uncle played on it?

Jim