Kettler on Ebay

[jim simpson]

There is a 1984 Kettler on Ebay with 2 days 10hrs. left with no bids yet. It has a buy it now for $2200.00. I recall a thread awhile back where most reported these to be cannons. A friend has one and it is remarkable. This one is a little beat up with buckle rash. I was so tempted to bid on this and take the chance that it would sound as good as the one I have played. I instead took the opportunity to by from a friend who decided to part with a Sim Daley. It is amazing. I also noticed a Flatiron Performer with a buy it now for $1950.00. It also had no bids yet. I believe that one had an approval period with it making it a safe buy. For now I will just window shop as I have depleted my funds with my latest purchase.

[mandoJeremy]

I saw it and I must say that I have never heard a bad Kettler. #I just think that one is so early that he hadn't perfected his craftmanship yet. #The scroll is a little off in my opinion and his later one's always had very small f-holes. #And I always judge looks by the scroll! #I am sure it sounds killer though! #Also remember that none of them had truss rods.

[mandoJeremy]

However, I do LOVE the color. My favorite Kettler was the same color and had a frog inlaid in the headstock!

[jim simpson]

MandoJeremy,
I think your right about it being an earlier one as my friend's has the smaller f-holes. I thought the neck had a carbon rod instead of an adjustable truss rod. My friend did have the neck replaned and refretted recently by Mandolin Bros. The repair person wasn't familiar with Kettler and admitted to playing it for 2-3 hours after he finished the work, he liked it that much! It's funny that Chris Warner is mentioned in the add. I used to own an early Gibson F-5 copy complete with "The Gibson" on the headstock that was made by Chris Warner. It must have been one of his early attempts as it had it's share of problems. I wish they would have offered an approval period on the Kettler. I would have considered driving to York, PA as it wouldn't be too far for me.

[mandoJeremy]

I honestly don't know about the carbon rod thing. I don't think many people used them in the 80's. I could be wrong but I really don't know. I still want a Kettler one day myself. Most of Kettler's mandos were built in the 80's or very early 90's I think.

[Kevin@bluegrassbrethren]

[QUOTE]I saw it and I must say that I have never heard a bad Kettler.

I'll second that. I have played several and all are consistent cannons. Funny, IIRC they all had smaller "f" holes too!

[fatt-dad]

Was the frog in the headstock a "typical" inlay for the Kettler mandolin? I have never heard of a Kettler, but I had an instructor in Cambridge MA (Orin Starr), who had a real nice mandolin with a frog in the headstock. This would have been in the mid '80s.

f-d

[mandoJeremy]

I don't know but the one I played with the frog was the only Kettler I have seen that had the frog inlaid in it. I have played 6 or 8 of them here in the Carolinas and they mostly didn't have an inlay at all. I recall one of them having something inlaid but I don't recall what it was. Also, the colors vary. The guy that owned the one with the frog also had an A-model that was the same dark color as his F and the one on Ebay. It actually is probably the best of the Kettlers that I have played and it was an A! Go figure. I still liked his F better. I simply agree with them being cannons!

[Frank Russell]

These are terrible mandolins, and none of you guys want to buy it. No really, because I'm bidding on it, so quit talking about it before somebody jacks up the price. Please, I beg of you. Frank

[mandoh]

Hey folks, I play a Kettler built in 1987, #147 i think. From what I know there are/is a carbon fiber rod in the neck. His mandolins are very light and the tops are thin. The f-holes are much smaller and spread out towards the sides on mine. Ive thought long and hard about buying this mandolin. Whoever ends up with this mando is in for a treat. There may be some pics still up on a thread from awhile ago when jeremy and I had a simmilar conversation. I would guess that mando is worth every cent of three thousand or more. I would never sell mine.

[Frank Russell]

Thanks for the help mandoh. Maybe I wasn't clear....

[mandoh]

Sorry frank, I just get a little excited when I hear that name. I do hope you get it. -Aaron

[mandoJeremy]

I agree mandoh....sorry frussell! It is easily worth 3 or 4 grand if you are going by sound! I do LOVE Kettler mandos!!!!

[mandoJeremy]

Hey, I still know where there is one that I can get for $500.00 but I lost the number and would have to do lots of research to get the number. I think I will attempt now that I think about it!

[doublestop]

Jim,
I knew you had money to spend. What's your new Sim Daley like? How does it compare to your F-5G? Guess I will have to wait til Benton next year to find out.

Annette

[jim simpson]

Hi Annette (and sorry to everyone here - I was unsuccessful trying to private message Annette)
It sounds really good. I took my F5-G with me for comparison and it sounded as good and then some. I expected it to sound great from my friend's description and I wasn't dissapointed. It has great volume to it and the tone is dry, woody and complex. I plan to take it with me to Wind Gap tomorrow for the 1-day festival (Benefit Concert). We are scheduled for an afternoon slot. I was concerned that I would possibly get something that I would like so much more that I would only want to play it. I'm going to try not to ignore the Gibson and try to rotate a bit. I can't wait to let you check it out.
Jim

[Willie]

Jim...does Chris have this mandolin in his shop? I knew a fellow that two Kettlers made before the `80`s and they were boomers...If Chris has it I`ll take a run up there myself...It`s not on E bay now....thanks.....Willie

[Frank Russell]

It's not on eBay because I won it. Yay for me. Thanks fellas. By the way, as far as the f-holes, apparently Chris Warner widened them. I read that after bidding, not sure how I feel about that little bit of news. Anyway, it's mine now. Frank

[midmando]

^Congrats frussel - hope you enjoy your new axe!

[jim simpson]

frussel,
Please promise to give us a review once you've received it. Oh yeah, and cograts!!
Jim

[Frank Russell]

Well, it got here this afternoon, and I can say after four or five hours of playing, this was the best eBay gamble I ever took. It's got its share of dings and scratches and buckle wear, but nothing major, and the binding is all intact, no cracks or gouges, just needs a finish job sometime down the line. Other than that, all smiles. Beautiful flame, old-timey muted sunburst, nice tortoise pickguard, seems to have a little radius to the fretboard, and it is the loudest mandolin I have owned yet. Great woody bluegrass tone, surprisingly easy playability for a twenty year old instrument. Now, if I had spent more time practicing instead of buying, selling and trading, I might be able to do this Kettler justice. I'm a happy man. Got a Bussmann A coming next week, and I have avoided divorce court yet again. Thanks for your help (not outbidding me). Frank

[pickinNgrinnin]

Nice job Frank! Although after all of this buying, selling and trading activity, you may have reached your quota for awhile. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[jim simpson]

Frank,
I'm glad it turned out good. It seemed like a safe buy but I got a little nervous when you said that Chris Warner had enlarged the typical small f-holes. It sounds like a winner! Enjoy!
Jim

[Frank Russell]

Played this Kettler at my local jam first time last night. I have to say, I got a lot of reactions from my friends, including one guy who owns 2 Givens A's and one F. He did not want to give the Kettler back after playing it. I was real happy with this mando, big volume, sweet tone, and excellent playability. It has a little shallower neck profile, more rounded than my F9, not as chunky as my old Festival F. Good stuff. Now, does anybody have any more Kettler info? I'm interested to know how many this guy has made. I understand he is not making any more, but how many others are out there? Thanks in advance, Frank.