View Full Version : 1909 F2 - what's it worth?
Ray(T)
Nov-03-2008, 10:51am
OK, seeing as I've decided not to put in a bid, what's this one going to go for? http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=EUR&screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=4105301&iSaleNo=16013&iSaleSectionNo=1
Ray
woodwizard
Nov-03-2008, 11:01am
I would venture a guess of around 5 or 6K dollars. I may be way off.
Michael Gowell
Nov-03-2008, 11:29am
Mike, IMHO you may be too high. I'd expect the euro equivilent of $2500 - 3500 assuming good to very good condition. If it's mint maybe 4500. Can't tell much from the photo. Really good F-4's are not infrequently over 5K these days but I haven't seen an F-2 break that price point yet. However...I have no idea of how strong the market is for vintage Gibsons in England now - there may be a premium paid for them there. And bear in mind this is an auction - almost anything can happen.
Given all that, Dan B could probably narrow the probable auction price range in England for these...
allenhopkins
Nov-03-2008, 12:55pm
Mandolin Brothers has (have?) two F-2's, a 1923 "Loar era" (whatever that means) for a whopping $7,500, and a 1915 black-face for $5,500 (both prices "cash").
Elderly also has two, a 1917 "needs work" for $3,750, and a "VG-EC" 1928 for $4,700.
Bernunzio has a 1920, missing pickguard and a scroll tip repair, for $3,950.
Gruhn has a 1905 three-point for $4,000.
Quite a price range -- 32% difference between highest and lowest. Looks like $4K is a good reference point, and there are two with asking prices over $5K.
TomTyrrell
Nov-03-2008, 1:28pm
Three point F2. Repaired peghead scroll (not a good job). Non-original tailpiece (cover anyway). Evidence of a not-too-great refinish, maybe an overspray? Finger rest hardware isn't original. I would be surprised if the auctioneer's estimate is surpassed by much.
I see the ph scroll issue. The TP cover is likely original, it's a late 3pt & that's about when they changed them. Can't see the overspray, pictures are small. Late ones sound better, though I'd have an F4 from this range and probably go with a ~1912-1915 F2 for the red finish and that sweet mellow tone if I was after a 2.
I'd say neighborhood of $4200 USD, though that might be generous on actual condition. I'm not bidding on it, so that reduces the chances for a stupid looney price a little bit :)
They are niche pieces, hard to say if there are more than a handful of guys on this island interested in them.
TomTyrrell
Nov-03-2008, 3:55pm
They have a nice Flash application that allows you to zoom the photos to 100%.
JFDilmando
Nov-03-2008, 5:25pm
You also have to take into account the 15% premium and the 17.5% VAT that you have to pay... then the shipping .... and then the customs for US entry depending upon where you live... some states do collect their pound of flesh,,,, some not.
So you add hmmmm maybe another 35-40% onto your bid price....
At the end of the day, I would say that someone on this side of the pond would not be venturing a bid much more than the 1000 pound side of the bid.... which gets up to 2-3.5 thousand... and that would be a good price for a "tubby" but possibly sweet player, that is not that collectable given its condition....
Good luck....
JohnD
Ray(T)
Nov-04-2008, 9:27am
Auction over. Such instruments are a bit of a rarity on this side of the pond. It only went for £960 but that included the buyers premium. I've seen 1940's wrecks retail for more than that so I think someone could have got themselves something of a bargain. I'm surprised you didn't bid for it Dan!
Ray
allenhopkins
Nov-04-2008, 10:23am
Bargain indeed! Half of what I think it might have brought...
TomTyrrell
Nov-04-2008, 12:23pm
Well within the Auctioneer's estimate. A bit on the lower side of the range actually.
I guess they know their market.
Auction over. Such instruments are a bit of a rarity on this side of the pond. It only went for £960 but that included the buyers premium. I've seen 1940's wrecks retail for more than that so I think someone could have got themselves something of a bargain. I'm surprised you didn't bid for it Dan!
Ray
I do like three pointers, but I usually only pick up something if I want it personally (as opposed to just because I'm planning to flip it). Plus, I'm still goo-goo over this one!
Michael Gowell
Nov-08-2008, 10:54am
And who could blame you...as a lucky owner of a non-collectable-but perfect-body 3 point, an F-2 from 1910, I'm seduced by both the look - love that proud ridge on the scroll resolving into the 3rd point - and its sound, to my ear combining the so-called hollow log bass with sweet highs.
But your's Dan...on a scale of 10 it's an 11. Congrats.