I just shot milk through my nose!

[yellowbarber]

Hey, ya never know! Either way, I decided against messaging the seller.

Antares madolin, buy it now $4,500 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180220913730)

[yellowbarber]

Obviously, not a completly misinformed nitwit.
As stated in the item description:
"if you know something about it you think i need to know please do so .im here to listen and learn.all comments are welcome."

[Timbofood]

Better milk than root beer! Poor guy, someone must have said "That's REALLY old and I bet it's worth a ton of money!" Whoever tells him please be gentle.

[sumibuilt]

Ok...You bunch of know it alls, what was Mr Loar's middle initial..."A"..for..say it with me.."Antares"...where's that "buy it now" button..

[Jonathan Peck]

He also has a violin up. I've never seen one with metal tuning machines before.

[Links]

Appears to be genuine wood!

[Jim Broyles]

He also has a violin up. I've never seen one with metal tuning machines before.
I had one. Sold it on eBay for around $40.00. Has anybody told this guy he has a $100 mandolin, if that?

[Bill Snyder]

I purchased an antique Antares guitar a couple of years back. I guess they are not nearly as valuable. I think the guitar was less than $60 shipping included. I gave it to my church with a mandolin and two other guitars for a rummage sale.

[arbarnhart]

I sent him a message suggesting he search completed items for "antares mandolin". One recently ended with no bids and a BIN of $99.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Every $4500 mandolin should come with a case like that.

[catmandu2]

Not only that, but the damn thing probably isn't even playable after sitting strung-up in the attic for fifteen years..

[MikeEdgerton]

Was this one built by Sumi in the early 70's?

[mandodan1960]

Are the D strings crossed over in the tailpiece shot?
I wonder what he was going to do with the $4,500.00 bucks. Ahh.. doesn't hurt to dream.

[Bill Snyder]

The listing says it was found in the attic when his friend's sister died and that the friend stored it for 15 years. Does not sound like the friend stored it in the attic.
I contacted him suggesting a worth of 1-200 dollars and he replied:
"thanks for your input. as i said i listed for a friend. will pass your input on to him. thanks"

[pjlama]

It's so close to the BBQ, just a little further and he could just been done...

[8ch(pl)]

I can tell by the wheels that that is an antique Bar-be-cue, wonder if it is for sale.

[AlanN]

Are the D strings crossed over in the tailpiece shot?
I wonder what he was going to do with the $4,500.00 bucks. Ahh.. doesn't hurt to dream.
Good eye.

[catmandu2]

Are the D strings crossed over in the tailpiece shot?
Well, that's what you do with those nuevo-antique-pacrims to make them really sing..

[yellowbarber]

I must have too much time on my hands, but I couldn't take it anymore. I hope somebody gets through to these folks.
"Dear sir or madam. I am certain that you are listing this mandolin in good faith for a friend. I am also absolutely certain that what you have listed is a asian, cheaply made plywood instrument worth at the very best $100. It's not my intention to be spiteful, but you are more likely to receive 1,800 out of random generosity than have anybody start the bidding at that price. We in the vintage instrument buisness hope that you can ipart our collective knowledge to your friend and open the bidding at a more realistic figure. Thanks for your time."

[Timbofood]

Sorry the poor uninformed guy thinks he has a gem there but, I am not so sure that "We, in the vintage instrument business" should be so "highfalutin" as the above comment might suggest. Be kind, it always makes me feel better when my parade is just rained on and not so hail damaged.

[jim simpson]

His buy it now on his cremonensis stradivarius facieba anno 1734 is even higher at $5,000.00! I have one and I can't even sell it for $150.00 with a nice Travelite case.
Do you think he really believes it's from 1734? I guess I've seen too many Ebayer's list items that they claim to know nothing about yet price the items way high. I kind of doubt this seller is going to post comments from any of us.

[yellowbarber]

Well I sat at the keyboard for a half an hour trying to think of a way to say something nicer than, "There are those of us with years of collective experience who know for a fact that an asian made plywood mandolin is not worth $1,800". That was as good as I could do.

[JeffD]

I mentioned elsewhere on another thread - the word has gotten out to the general public that all mandolins are worth a lot of money. I don't know for sure how this impression got out there - my theory is that Loars going for $200,000 and up as sparked the rumor mill. This fellow is probably trying to take advantage of the urban legend.

I am often asked to take a look at someone's friend's great grandmother's mandolin, which more likely was purchased for a buck at a rummage sale in the hopes that it was worth $70,000 or something. Folks are visably let down when I inform them (gently) that their "family heirloom" is worth not a whole lot.

[Rick Cadger]

...That was as good as I could do.
Really? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

A bit harsh.

[Bill Snyder]

I don't see anything wrong with how he said it to the lister. I had earlier sent him word and someone else mentioned they had sent him word. I suspect he has heard it several times. The mandolin is not even his so there is no sentimental attachment to the instrument and I don't think yellowbarber's message even slightly sounded as if there was any malice involved with his contact.

[Dave Cowles]

It now has an opening bid of $200. Something seems to have influenced the seller. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Dave

[Jim Broyles]

Now if he cuts his opening bid and his shipping by about 50%, he might stand a chance of selling it, although I'd say he'd be fortunate to get $75.00 including S&H for it.

[Bill Snyder]

Well the auction is over and even though he lowered the starting bid to $200 it still did not get any bidders. Another dream gone up in smoke.