$5 G's for a New Fern.....Are Those Days Gone?

[Nalapombu]

Hey all,

I remember about 2 years ago when I was first starting lessons and had a MK Dragonfly. #I found this place and read about all of the different beautiful mandos and of course I knew who Gibson was. #On my way home from a lesson one day I stopped at a local place that carried musical instruments just to look and see if they had any mandolins.
I didn't know but they were a Gibson dealer and in the case they had a new Fern sitting in the case. #I nervously asked if I could see it and they got her out and let me dink around with it for about 30 minutes. #It was and still is the most beautiful mandolin I had ever seen (I don't get out much!!). #I looked it over very carefully noting how much better it was than what I had. #I thought that it would inspire me to practice harder so that one day I could get one for myself.
When I handed it back to the guy he told me that I should take it home. #I laffed at him and he said "give me 5 grand and she's yours." #That's was and is a LOT of money.
Now that I see how Gibson is changing it's policies I remembered that story. #I was curious to know if those days of buying a new Fern for 5 LARGE are over? #Strictly speaking the Fern was played a few times in the store so I guess technically it wasn't new. #Will people be able to buy a Fern in the future without getting a 2nd mortgage on their house or selling a kidney?
These high prices kinda depresses me, it takes away all my incentive.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
What do you think about the future prices of Gibsons...

Nala

[jamman]

In case you missed it, there was a wee bit of discussion about Gibson pricing policies here. (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=18502)

[JeffS]

Yes, people will still be able to buy them without getting a second morgage. But those of us who would need to take out a second morgage to buy one probably shouldn't be buying them. We might be better suited with an F-5G, F-9, or maybe even an Epiphone.

[jjboone101]

I was in Nashville this weekend and stopped at the Gibson store in Opry Mills. Their varnish Fern is over $15,000, the *regular* Fern had a list price of $8500. So in hindsight, that $5K is looking pretty good now.

[Ott]

There's a fern in the cafe classifieds for $5500

[jjboone101]

And the good Dr. Marc Darrow has two F5Ls I believe for sale for $4000 each in the Classifieds...

[JimRichter]

Of course, given that everyone is talking about Gibson price increases and how the Fern is so underpriced anyway, we're now going to see an unusual increase in the number of Ferns listed in the classifieds (over and above those offered by Dr. Darrow). Watch people try to get those prices up. There's a Steve Carlson era F5L someone is trying to sell for $9500. Speculators and carpet-baggers will be coming out of the woodwork.

Of course, I think the most undervalued mandolin is the Wayne Henderson Fern I have. That's a mandolin to skin a Fern alive.

Jim

[Flowerpot]

If your Henderson is undervalued, does that mean you'd sell it for $5k? In that case, where do I send the check...

[GTison]

"That's a mandolin to skin a Fern alive."

My fern can whip your Fern.... # let's put 'em on the floor and let em go at it! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif: http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[JimRichter]

That is the conundrum w/ undervalued instruments. Gruhn appraised the instrument for $5K, but I could never imagine selling for that (especially when I feel lucky to get it for that). I believe in people trying to get what they feel their instruments are worth. More than anything, my previous post was just a noticing that there seem to be a tad more Ferns in the classifieds than usual (coincidentally while we've been having this discussion about Ferns.

As far as the Ferns getting on the floor and going at it, I say let 'em slug it out!

Jim