Mandola on ebay

[mario515]

How bout this one <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/1917-Gibson-H2-Mandola-Mandolin-Project_W0QQitemZ180146403227QQihZ008QQcategoryZ10 179QQssP
ageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemhttp://" target="_blank">ebaymandola</a>Owner calls it a "player" and says it sounds great, but I never seen a repair like that, looks a little extreme. Always wanted to own one of those. whaddya think?

[Jim Garber]

link that works (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180146403227)

Strange repair by reptile dentist who could not figure out how to open up a mandolin. It is already too expensive IMHO. Get an Eastman.

Jim

[mario515]

Dang, sorry for the weak link, Jim thanks for always being there(ha). I must admit I find it hard to believe you would suggest a Eastman dola over a Gibson H2(even if it looks like it would implode after 3 minutes of furious fun.)I would definatly have to play an eastman dola before I bought one, I'm of the opinion that it just wouldnt hold a candle to an H2, but thats just my uneducated opinion(never played an eastman dola,, ahh but I have played an H2(its like a symphony to my ears) . even still its holding at over $500. Seriously is this dola of any real use, stablity seems to be an issue here.

[james condino]

Right now it is going for $511. Just the tuning machines and tailpiece have a street value higher than that. I've seen a few repairs done like this over the years- the sawing the ribs in half.

From a luthier's perspective, it's really not a lot of work to build a new set of ribs that would match up perfect. I'd want to see it in person before I lay down a bunch of rupees; no blind dates for that one....

You may get lucky and find that it is cosmetically unattractive, but structurally very sound. Don't expect much resale or long term appreciation the way she is now.

____
j.
www.condino.com

[allenhopkins]

I must admit I find it hard to believe you would suggest a Eastman dola over a Gibson H2...I would definatly have to play an eastman dola before I bought one, I'm of the opinion that it just wouldnt hold a candle to an H2, but thats just my uneducated opinion(never played an eastman dola...
Even after the "reptile dentistry" (and where does that term originate?), the H-2 went for a really low price, one I would consider quite a bargain.

But, IMHO the Eastman mandolas are very nice instruments. I bought a "600" series carved-top, f-hole Florentine bodied mandola, and it sounds and plays very well for the price. I've performed and recorded with it, and it's done all I've asked of it.

Anyone buying a mandola, even an H-2, that's been sawed in half, is taking a bit of a chance. If you're not the successful bidder, I'd suggest giving the Eastmans as chance before dismissing them out of hand.