Cliff Sargent mando for $1,650?

[mrmando]

Here it is. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3738129157&rd=1) Ragged but right.

[grandmainger]

What's the story with this mandolin? Ran a quick search but can't find much... Is it a 'fake' Gibson ? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Cactus Jack]

He has been at the California Bluegrass Association's big festival on Father's Day weekend for a number of years, with some of his mandolins. I believe his current mandolins sell new for around $7,000. When I talked with him he freely admited that his mandolins are Gibson copies, and he didn't have a problem with selling them, not as Gibsons, but as copies. I don't know how Gibson feels about that, maybe he has some kind of agreement with them. Anyway, $1,650 seems VERY LOW to me. "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[uncle ken]

There was a thread here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=15612;hl=fake) about this one a while back. It was for sale in the classifieds for awhile and is now back on ebay.

[Flatpick]

How hard would it be to restore a Mandolin in this condition? Seems to be all cosmetic. It would be a great project to strip down and refinish, maybe French Polish, some new hardware, bridge, and setup. Could be a good find.

I'd be willing to give it a shot.

Anyone else feel adventureous?

Flatpick

[Cactus Jack]

Regarding restoration, I would get in touch with Michael Lewis (luthier), as I think he may be familiar with Sargent mandolins. Michael's website is available on the Cafe's "Board Sponsors" and also has an advertisement website in red and gold.

[Flatpick]

I see there is another Cliff Sargent Mandolin for sale on Ebay. He only made 33 of them. These could become a Hot Item.

Flatpick

[Philip Halcomb]

Just so you know, you should try to repair the finish on a Sargent mandolin, or live with it if it sounds good. I know from playing them they are hand varnished and look and sound great. I would be afraid refinishing it might ruin something...

[Jim M.]

Mr. Sargent owns at least one Loar and his mandolins were meant to be a copy of the Loar and to pay homage, in a way, to the Gibsons. He didn't intend to infringe copyrights and he made it clear that his mandos were copies. His latest mandos do say Sargent, though. They are great mandos, by the way, and $1650 is a heck of a deal.

[Big Joe]

Mr. Sargent is a wonderful man and a great luthier. He and his wife are delightful people. He does not have permission to use the Gibson logo and we have discussed that. He has indicated he will refrain. He meant it as a compliment, but that is not always the way it may be taken. His mandolins look great and sound great, but no matter the name on the headstock they are not a Gibson.

[mrbook]

I see it more with banjos, where many reproduction necks are made for Gibson pots, but I have never really understood why someone would want the Gibson name on an instrument or part not made by Gibson. Homage or not, if Gibson makes it, they can use their name; if someone else makes it, I would rather see the maker's name. I like Gibsons, and I like other instruments, too. An Elvis impersonator is not the real thing.

[Danny Clark]

This is the third time i have seen this mando sell in two months,must be something wrong!

[Lane Pryce]

I was thinking the same thing. Lp

[Cactus Jack]

Well I don't know what's going on, but when I talked with him a few years ago his price was $7,000.00 for a new one. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif