bowlback on ebay-need advice

[mysticfaery]

[B]I saw this on ebay this morning,and seeing how one has to be careful about bowlbacks,I was wondering what you guys make of it. It's a beauty,opening bid is tempting,but I know looks aren't everything! ebay bowlback (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3747745505&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW)

[vkioulaphides]

Looks like something mass-produced (in Asia?) I can't make out the maker's name on the peghead. I would, instinctively at least, stay away; it may be a case of more gloss than sound. Then again, I know nothing about this maker/instrument.

Caveat emptor.

[Eugene]

I've never seen such a thing. #The finish looks extremely shiny...and heavy. #Given its new status, there shouldn't be issues with its functionality under the digits, but it will almost certainly be very thin voiced. #If you do pursue it, keep extremely light strings on it, of course. #Such mass-produced stuff often has very soft wood for necks and no reinforcement.

[vkioulaphides]

[/QUOTE]"Given its new status, there shouldn't be issues with its functionality under the digits."

Well... The brand-new instrument I got from Musikalia (see mother-in-law) still needed considerable adjustment to come to playable status, decent intonation, reasonable action, etc. The "factory setup" is no guarantee of functionality. My experience only, of course.

[Eugene]

No, you are absolutely correct. #Some things are just plain shoddy. Time-induced damage only makes such things worse.

[Jim Garber]

The headstock reads Surf City (http://www.surfcityinstruments.com) and I think they are a company that designs simple instruments and has them built overseas. That model is called the Old World mandolin (http://www.surfcityinstruments.com/images/oldworld1.jpg) and they have one at the site under blemished instruments for $99.95.

They seem to have a sense of instrument history tho: their flatback model mandolin is named and is based loosely on the old Stellas.

Eugene and I have a mutual friend in western Canada who told me some time ago that he purchased one of their octave mandolins and it was very decent for the price.

Too bad this bowl is sooooooo shiny. My prejudice.

Jim

[John Bertotti]

"Too bad this bowl is sooooooo shiny. My prejudice."
Wel,lt's nothing a good sanding couldn't fix.
John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mysticfaery]

[B]I've decided to not bid on it-suf city-I've seen their stuff & I'd rather wait for a better one to come along-thanks ffor your imput!