Will the value be affected?

[fatt-dad]

Dear NG,

So, I took the plunge on my Stiver and had Mr. Stiver convert the fretboard from flat to radius (the subject of another post). I love it and the spec that I decided on is real nice to play (compound 7 to 14 in radius).

Mr. Stiver will also work on my Flatiron (pre-Gibson A5-1, Carlson signed). My qustion is whether the overall value of the Flation will be reduced (in the long run), by changing out the fretboard.

Comments?

[GBG]

No, it will probably make it more valuable-it would to me anyway.

[John Flynn]

I can't answer the question of market value, but I have heard of people with vintage instruments who were worried about that issue actually having the fretboard removed intact and replaced with a radiused board. Therefore, the instrument could possibly be returned to its original state at some point. MHO is that it would increase the value, if I were buying it. Also, if I had a great Flatiron with a raduised board, I would never sell it, so value to me would be all that mattered.

[Big Joe]

Don't change the fingerboard if you don't have to. The original fingerboard, whether flat or radiused, will be worth more. It should not affect value at all as long as it is done right and does not look like it was taken to the local butcher for its work. One is no more valuable than the other.

[fatt-dad]

Well, I guess the question remains, can the original fretboard (is it likely to) be removed intact to the point that it could be reinstalled in the future?

f-d

[dasspunk]

Are you planning on playing it or collecting it? I would think just playing a mando lessens it's value... to a collector. Personaly, if it's not a loar, I'd radius the board.

[fatt-dad]

Eh, what do you mean by playing OR collecting? Can I please do both?

f-d

[Big Joe]

The cost to replace the fingerboard is far greater than just radiusing the one you have. You will lose more by changing fingerboards and saving the old one and having it replaced again some time down the road. The repair work to exchange fingerboards will lesson the value more than any radius job on the original fingerboard. Your mandolin, while a fine instrument, is not likely to become so collectible that the work desired will affect its future value to any extent.

[Pete Martin]

When I bought my Gilchrist, I emailed Steven Gilchrist about this same thing. He told me not to worry. I guess he was right.

This mando was purchased at $7500.00 and I think it is worth a little more now:cool:

[mandoJeremy]

My OPINION is this: play the dang thing and not worry about value. If I were worried about "value" I wouldn't have sent my prototype #2 Bush model back to Gibson for a varnish refinish (which they did a wonderful job on)! It sounds like I want and plays like I want, I am not worried about someone else's value of my instrument. It is a tool of trade for me and that is where I make my money. If you were a landscaper would you worry about the value of your Weedeater if you changed the string on it? I don't think so. Just smile and be happy!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Mandoblab]

Hey Fatt-dad,

Don't worry about lowering the value of your new mandolin. Just like your Flatiron, you will probably never give it up anyway. So make it how you like it.

By the way, I have a 1986 Flatiron A5-Artist. When I decided to take the plunge, I contacted Steve Carlson and asked him to make mine with a radiused fingerboard (along with some other special touches). He did and I was, and continue to be, a very happy Flatiron owner! I will never let that mandolin get away from me.

Mandoblab

[fatt-dad]

Ha! My new mandolin is getting some age on it - at least as much as this thread. I did radius my Flatiron and never looked back. I remain quite a fan of this mandolin!

f-d

[Jim Garber]

It is a Stiver and Stiver did the work. I can't imagine that if you were to sell it years from now, that it would make a hill of beans difference radiused or flat. I think this originality and collectability gets a little silly at times. Yes there are cases where replacing parts does make a difference in value.

Of course I always compare to violin world. How many Strads are out there with original parts, even original untouched necks? Not too many and if so those are not the most desirable. Besides that Stiver has provenance -- it is the Fatt-dad Stiver mandolin. :)

[fatt-dad]

Oh, just to recap: I sold my Stiver (big mistake but fellow forum member is happy), but still have my Flatiron, which Lou radiused also. (Note to all fellow cafe members: If you have a great A model mandolin don't sell it just to finance an F-model. Neither my Stanley or my Muth trumped my Stiver and if I had to do it all over, I'd have just been happy with my Stiver. That said, I'm very happy with my Flatiron A5-1 and have no desire to ever own an F-model.)

f-d

[mandroid]

All kind of also depends on the value of the Dollar , seems to be falling again..

[rockies]

I don't think that's worth worrying about. If you prefer a radiused board have it done. IMO I think board replacement would be preferable if you want to put it back to original in the future. As far as Loars go John Reischman had Michael Hieden remove his and replaced with a radiused board and the old board stored away.
Dave

[Bill Snyder]

I don't think some of these posters realize this question was asked six years ago. :)

[Jim Garber]

Hah, Bill. You are correct.

[LateBloomer]

It's been six years and Fatt-dad doesn't look a day older!

[fatt-dad]

Yeah one avatar update and the whole world changes. That photo was from last year, part of the cell-phone self-portrait series. Want to see more. . . ? Nah.

It's funny that back in 2004 I had so many mandolins! Now it's just two Flatirons (a carved top A-model with f-holes and a 1N "pancake") and my A3 (had for the last 25 years). (I'm not counting my beach mandolin that goes out one week a year and keeps rusty strings.) I'm trying to convince myself that if I practice, I'll get better, 'cause buying mandolins didn't make me a better player, but I tried!

f-d

[Caleb]

I'm with f-d in that I have no desire to own an F-style. I was in Fiddler's Green the other day (acoustic instrument heaven?) and played many a fine mandolin. One Kentucky KM1000 sounded just magical to my ear, but all I could think was, "Man, too bad it's an F-style..." A fellow working there let me play his Ellis (YIKES...serious tone! and beautiful mandolin!) and I think I could manage to get used to the scroll on that one though.

[fatt-dad]

(Note to Caleb: Ellis makes an A-model in both f- and oval-hole. Yes, I do know what an enabler is - ha!)

f-d

[mandroid]

Ah, the Crystal Ball for the future is Cloudy..