Newbie Question concerning real F-5 Ive found.

[mweasel]

Hey everyone!

Thanks for reading this. I have a friend who works at a pawn shop who brought to my attention a Gibson F-5 that was recently pawned. (Dont worry, its not a Loar... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif )

Anyway, it has a 6-digit serial that starts with 976xxx. According to Gruhn's book, that puts the instrument as a 1968.

First of all, do I sound correct so far?

Secondly, can you guys give me some general impressions on this era of Gibson mandolin? My friend comfirmed to me that is has the block inlays of a Les Paul Custom.

Im pretty excited because I think I could pick it up for a song. According to my friend, it is DEAD MINT and has its OHSC. I feel bad for the guy who pawned it, and my acquiring it relies on this guy defaulting on the Pawn. So this is a long shot.

Thank you for your time,
stephen

PS - I happen to know that the guy pawned it for $1000. I hope the owner of the pawn shop has no idea what it is.... What do these usually go for? Thanks!

[mweasel]

Anyone?

[250sc]

Have you played it? Many Gibson mandos from the 60s are not highly reguarded but you never know.

[mweasel]

250sc,

Thanks for replying! # Yeah, Ive heard as well that 60's Gibsons are not highly regarded. #Im just trying to confirm that with you guys; Ive heard nothing but good things about the Mandolin Cafe. #Im trying to get a clear picture of 60s Gibsons. #Did they use heavier tone bars in the 60's? #(like martin guitars, etc)

In terms of playing it, Im sure that will be the deciding factor. #Its a couple hours away, so I plan to wait and see if the gentleman who pawned it is coming back or not before I drive there. #Besides, its not even on display yet.

Thanks again 250.

[goldtopper]

As far as guys in pawn shops not knowing it's worth- don't hold your breath. The days of deals in Pawns are over, at least where I live. By and large the only instruments they see are junk, and the only name they know to look for is Gibson.

For what it's worth, I hope you get a deal on it. Look at it this way- 60's Gibsons are better than 70's gibsons!

[mandough]

I once had the opportunity to buy Glen Campbell's original guitar. It even had the sheet music for Rhinestone cowboy in it's case.
The only thing that I didn't realize was that Glen Campbell played a Plywood mini acoustic that was made in China.
Supposedly from his "younger days".
Beware the Pawn store owner, my friend. He'll tell you anything! Make sure that thing says Gibson and not Bigson.

[AlanN]

...Yeah, Ive heard as well that 60's Gibsons are not highly regarded...

OTOH, a guy has one here that sounds real nice, good luck.

[lownote]

If the pawn shop owner loaned a $1000 on it then he know's what it's worth. imho

[sunburst]

Here's my opinion, stated as such...just one opionion.

It comes down to: what price can you get it for and how much is the Gibson name worth to you?

Typically, Gibsons from that time period are overbuilt, and can be regraduated and generally reworked into a pretty good mandolin by a good mandolin builder, but you'll pay right much money for a good job. You can probably get a good mandolin for less if you go with a different name.

If it sounds and plays good (to you) the way it is, it might be a good deal at the right price. It would likely have a higher market value than intrinsic value, so buying it at a good price and re-selling it later might be something to consider.

[Tom C]

Because you said it had block inlays I had to go verify the date. 1968 seemed too late for block inlays. Thought the blocks were more 1950's-early 60's. Your serial number dates to 1963. The ones (and few) in the 50's were not bad mandos. Enjoy it.

[mweasel]

Thanks guys, I was out of town for a couple days and couldnt check up on my post here. Ill keep all of this in mind. Thanks again!

[mandoJeremy]

If you could get it for less than $2000.00 I would probably buy just to resell and make $500 to $1000 off of it on Ebay or something. Of course, if it does sound good then go for it.

[mad dawg]

The days of deals in Pawns are over
My father-in-law and I just had a discussion on this very topic; now that the internet is widely accessible, it is pretty easy for a pawn shop owner to get a general idea of an instrument's worth---especially if it is well know brand such as Gibson.

[Tom C]

Becasue of shows like Antique Roadshow, people are more opt to find out what they have before they dumped it on a pawn shop. So it is less likely for these places to have quality intruments for cheap.

[BigJoe]

Most pawn shops use the blue book for value also. While they are only a guide at best, it is the current standard for many. I guess if you don't know what you are doing, it is better than nothing. If the pawn shop gave a thousand for it I would be surprised. I would more likely believe he gave less than five hundred for it. It is rare they would go over 1/4 of its retail value. Too much chance of getting stuck with it. Just my thoughts.

[Greg H.]

But then Elderly is asking $3200 for a mid 70's F5 (an even worse decade than the 60's IMHO)
Elderly (http://www.elderly.com/vintage/cat_or_pgc_page?step=20&cat_or_pgc=90U&sort_on=title&special_links=&page=2&query_start=21) so if you can get an early 60's F5 for anything around $2000 then you're probably doing quite well.