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Thread: Teens Gibson A prices

  1. #26

    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    Not hard - Go to mandolin write in "Gibson" and you'll get (most) of the Gibson mandolins that are on ebay --there are sometimes others hiding places on there.(By the way those lost or improperly listed items can be the best bargains if you can stumble on them) click the ones your interested in on to your watch list and when they end write 'em down. The problem with buy it now's is that you can never be sure what the final price was, there may have been some haggling that went on. One's that sell at auction the final price is public. If I have enough information I can figure out the date. A lot of the dates supplied by the sellers are often incorrect. Condition is often a guess of course and the ones that sell for the lowest prices are sometimes due to having the worst pictures and scanty information. But we're trying to figure out averages here---throw out the highest 10% and the lowest 10% I figure. Someone will always pay too much and sometimes one falls through the cracks. I missed out on a perfect boxed set of Berg chisels the other day because I slept at the wheel --but no one else got them either because no one bid,my bad! An A2z or a perfectly preserved A4 can change the averages by quite a lot. What I was really trying to come up with was the prices for average "players" 'cause I think Gibson A models are something that every mandolin player should have and probably can because there are so many of them and compared to the price of a new mandolin with anything close to that quality would have to be considered dirt cheap!

  2. #27
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    Actually you can search the last 3 months of completed auctions pretty easily on ebay.
    1. enter your search words in the search bar (Gibson mandolin in string)
    2. When you have refined the catagories look to the upper right and click "advanced"
    3. Check "completed listings", select Format and perhaps Condition, then press Search.
    You will get a list of completed auctions with prices etc. for the last 3 months.

    Instruments in Excellent all original condition with perhaps modest repairs and the OHSC:
    A going for right around $850-900
    A-1's a bit more, perhaps $900-1000
    A-2's perhaps $1100-1300
    A-3's $1400-1600
    A-4's $1700-1900

    One A2Z missing the pickguard but with the OHSC went for $3605.55
    One all original Loar Era A1 went for $2500 without the OHSC
    Last edited by Capt. E; Aug-14-2014 at 2:48pm.
    Jammin' south of the river
    '20 Gibson A-2
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  3. #28

    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    Quote Originally Posted by barney 59 View Post
    I think of it as something similar to a flea market than a wholesale market place. At a flea market you have dealers that come every week and people that are moving or just cleaned out the garage and this is a one time event for them. The dealers want what they want and if they don't get their price they'll keep it until they do knowing they have another shot at the next flea market. The other people want to get some money for the things they have but part of the motivation is to not bring it back home, that's where the deals are, especially near the end of the day!
    My definition of flea market would be along the lines of cheap prices with low to no overhead. Places like that I've purchased instruments for $50 that were worth $1000, because I had a more specific knowledge of the item being sold and what it was worth in the retail marketplace, than the seller had. And also because I was there at 5am walking around with a flashlight when every normal person was in bed! Paying $875 for an instrument that is worth $1300-1500 is a great deal, but I would consider that high-wholesale, from the perspective of a dealer buying to resell. (me) In other words, I would do it all day long if I could buy at $875 and sell at $1300. You are right, there are steals everyday on eBay, if you have time (hours and hours to search and refresh the new listings) mostly these are Buy It Now listings. Once in a while I do win something on auction that I thought would go much higher and it is a nice surprise. Like when an auction ends during the Super Bowl or the 4th of July and I'm the only one on eBay!

  4. #29
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    My parents were antique dealers and I have done my share of picking. Ebay is similar and not similar to a fleamarket. It has helped a lot to inform people as to the value of their items and also caused confusion and mis-understanding. To me the biggest down side is it takes much of the fun out of collecting. Things that you used to come across only rarely (such as vintage Gibson Mandolins) have become easy to find. This actually has depressed the market for many many things. Ebay though, is not the best place to look for the truly rare and valuable (such as Loyd Loar F-5's). For these you still have to go to the specialist dealers or the original sources such as estate sales.
    Jammin' south of the river
    '20 Gibson A-2
    Stromberg-Voisinet Tenor Guitar
    Penny Whistle
    My albums: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?u=7616

  5. #30

    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    Well, once in a lifetime deals are just that and at that they only happen to a small percentage of people that spend a lifetime looking. ebay is not a very likely place for that to happen. I know for certain that a great many dealers watch ebay everyday and I have personally lost out to Banana and Eric Schoenberg on instruments that I recognized as diamonds in the rough hoping that I would be the only one that did. That was when you could still know the screen name of the bidders and it was possible to actually communicate with them. (ebay has long ago fixed that saying they are protecting our privacy, but really it is to stop people from end running them.) It was more fun then. I went through a parlor guitar period and there were only about a dozen names that would appear on almost every auction and probably accounted for a least a quarter of all the purchases of mid level parlor guitars. It got to the point that you felt you knew them--when something really good showed up though there was a different set of players! Too many people with a knowledge of what they are looking for frequent ebay--it's too public, your not going to stumble on a undiscovered Van Gogh there without a whole bunch of other people seeing what your seeing! I used the idea of a flea market because at a flea market and ebay there are professional vendors and amateurs in the same place. The professionals are likely to know what they have and hold out for the money when they have a special item, the amateur maybe doesn't know it's true worth. It's true about the Superbowl or listings that end in the wee hours of the morning but the smart vendors make sure that their listings don't end then!

  6. #31

    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    $875 for a teens Gibson A is a pretty solid purchase imo. Back in the mid 70's (when I bought my F-4), I looked at quite a few Gibson A models that were priced from ~$250 to $350 depending on the model, condition and originality. To have only risen to a nominal $875 (factor inflation?) 40 years later is pretty amazing. Obviously, you didn't buy it as an investment (unlike the cognicenti back then in the 70's who were buying F-5s from the twenties for just a few $K). I have never been troubled with an over abundance of cash so spending $5,000 on a Loar signed F-5 (back then) was never a consideration. However, I would find it very difficult to pass up a really good, all original teens Gibby A at $875 if I didn't have a nice oval hole mandolin already. Play it in good health!!

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL

  7. #32
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    I just remembered that my Gibson 1916 A came with an insurance appraisal letter from Mandolin Bros. dated March 2009 that gave a value of $1500. Of course insurance value and sale price are not the same thing.
    Jammin' south of the river
    '20 Gibson A-2
    Stromberg-Voisinet Tenor Guitar
    Penny Whistle
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  8. #33
    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    I just missed out on a 1906 punkin' top for $450 on CL. Damn the luck....
    Living’ in the Mitten

  9. #34
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    this will be an interesting thread in 10 years!

    f-d
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    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

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  11. #35
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    Very true. It is already interesting in light of the state of the market 10 years ago.

    The last A-1 to sell on ebay today went for $554.54 plus shipping. It was missing the pickguard, had a modern case and the finish was average with no cracks. The A-1 before that went for $781.45. It had the pickguard, original HSC, in excellent condition.

    We'll depend on you to bump the thread in 10 years.
    Last edited by Capt. E; Aug-21-2014 at 4:44pm.
    Jammin' south of the river
    '20 Gibson A-2
    Stromberg-Voisinet Tenor Guitar
    Penny Whistle
    My albums: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?u=7616

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  13. #36

    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    Sounds like a buyers market, right now!

  14. #37

    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    We're about 6 years into a buyers market. Not the really cool stuff mind you, that stuff is always going to increase in value I believe but everything in the middle crashed with the crash and hasn't gone up very much since if at all. I had a plan back before 2007 and was buying old instruments to restore and saw it as a potential little money maker,sort of hobby, retirement, business thing. I can't play with the big boys or dabble in the high end collector grade instruments but the prices of things like A model Gibson's or Washburn guitars where rising at a pretty good pace for a few years there until it stopped and when it stopped it really stopped!
    but----
    I've had another thought about the vintage market in instruments----baby boomers---were baby boomers driving the market? Boomers, of which I am one, are now hitting retirement age. They have passed their peak of earning potential and had several years of probably having a period with a little extra cash to throw around, you know kids gone etc.. I don't think at this point I'll ever be able to retire and am destined to probably drop dead on the job but hitting that age my priorities have changed a lot! Instead of MAS I am suddenly satisfied with the nice instruments that I am fortunate to have acquired. When I look at what Social Security will come to if when I start collecting it it's a good thing that I'm happy with what I have 'cause when I count it up I'm a little worried about food! So --just wondering- is the generation behind or the one behind that as interested in vintage instruments as my generation has been, because we really were! If they're not then it's a different ball game. I don't know if people that frequent a site like this would be the best people to know--people here reading this thread are likely to say "Well, of course we are!" Dealers would know maybe. They know what comes through the door and what leaves with a purchase.

  15. #38
    Registered User mandopaul's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    I am on the tail end of the Boomers. The ones behind us, I don't think will have near as much interest, heck, I don't think they will have any Social Security at all if this country keeps going like it is....then the bottom will drop out for real - but will be kept up somewhat by foreign buyers who will step in (the ones who will be able to)

    I bought an old teens plain A a few years back that I had fixed up - back was shrunken in a few areas and turned out to be a killer sounding mandolin. It cost just shy of 1075 after purchase & repairs.
    I would like to get a snakehead (or near the year these were made) but find the prices are not very friendly....or a nice F-2 or something. But these prices of 4 -6500 for the F? I wish I was around buying these in the early 80's or late 70's. Probably could get them for 3-400.
    Last edited by mandopaul; Aug-22-2014 at 10:48pm.

  16. #39

    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    I agree the teens gibsons are a good deal, if maintained and played. that quality sound cannot be bought in a new mandolin for anything like a grand. I bought an a 4 from 1919 recently. two repared cracks but stable and well played and a cannon, and I have a 1924 blacktop snakehead a 0, with a2 binding and a4 sound hole rosette and a resonator back. it's a cannon, I love it.

    there aren't many of those and the ones I have played do sound the best--if maintained and well played but the other teens models are near.
    the a's have a bigger resonating area inside and I think the best ones sound better than f's--but I have never heard an f5 from 1923 up close.

  17. #40
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    $800.00 for my 1919 A2 w OHSC…. That was couple of years ago. No pick guard, had to reglue the traverse brace and repair one tight crack. Worth it to me, I'm not a collector. Like the way it sounds plays and SMELLS.

    MJ

  18. #41
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    Just checking out ebay today and there seems to be a flood of teens-20's A body Gibbys. They range from a repairable A for under $300 to $2500 for a very nice A-4. There are also four snakehead A-1's $2600 - $2995 and a snakehead Jr with a starting price of $800. Sure are quite a few to choose from. Can't say they are hard to find.
    Jammin' south of the river
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  19. #42
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    "Gibby". The proverbial fingernails on the chalkboard.

    Thanks for the interesting information, though.

    Mick
    Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
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  20. #43

    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    Quote Originally Posted by brunello97 View Post
    "Gibby". The proverbial fingernails on the chalkboard.
    Is that like calling a Martin, a "Marty" for short....?

  21. #44
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    Quote Originally Posted by brunello97 View Post
    "Gibby". The proverbial fingernails on the chalkboard.

    Thanks for the interesting information, though.

    Mick
    Yeah, I was reluctant to write that...never again. It demeans a great name.
    Jammin' south of the river
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    Stromberg-Voisinet Tenor Guitar
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  22. #45
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    Quote Originally Posted by Capt. E View Post
    .... It demeans a great name.
    Well put, amigo.

    Mick
    Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
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  23. #46
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    Quote Originally Posted by mandopaul View Post
    ...I bought an old teens plain A a few years back that I had fixed up - back was shrunken in a few areas and turned out to be a killer sounding mandolin. It cost just shy of 1075 after purchase & repairs...
    That is still about right. My current plain A didn't need any repairs, but the bridge (original) was way too high. Paid $850 with a , $80 for bridge and set up work, new strings, a McClung armrest, a good neck strap and I am right at $1000. Add a good condition OHSC and $1200 would not be too much. There are so many out there you don't need to spend more
    Jammin' south of the river
    '20 Gibson A-2
    Stromberg-Voisinet Tenor Guitar
    Penny Whistle
    My albums: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?u=7616

  24. #47
    Registered User LongBlackVeil's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    I actually believe a teens A4 is a really good deal at somewhere under 2500. Now that ive played one, and compared it to my a junior. I believe they have more clarity because of their maple backs as opposed to the birch that is most often on lower models. I dont think theres many better oval hole mandolins around that price range that would be a better buy*

    Plus they look oh so cool, id like to have one thats for sure

    *with the exception of a good old wave, imo
    "When you learn an old time fiddle tune, you make a friend for life"

  25. #48
    Registered User Cary Fagan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    Can't resist giving my experience. I kept looking for a less expensive Gibson A and finally found a jr on ebay that a cafe member had restored. The body was in perfect shape but the finish had deteriorated and the fretboard (I wonder if it was in a basement for decades) so he refinished it in pumpkin top colours, put on a new fretboard and tuners. The farthest thing from collectible but it looked really nice and I liked the idea of it having none of the usual possible issues. Paid $675. When it arrived I was a little disappointed with the sound which was very tight and not very loud and several times I considered selling it when, after a year of playing it off and on, it suddenly opened up. Sounded like a different instrument, sweet, with more sustain, and louder. I kept trying it because I couldn't believe it. Glad I didn't sell it, I love the thing.
    Cary Fagan

  26. #49

    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    At the risk of adding insult to injury. I'm going to suggest occasionally checking Guitar Center's Used Gear listings. Just enter Gibson and select "misc. stringed instruments". Leave to search set to "national". They have a fairly good return policy http://guitarcenter.custhelp.com/app...d1VscWhJMm0%3D and they will certainly entertain offers below the asking price. They won't have a lot but they always have some. http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedGear/index.cfm

  27. #50
    Registered User LongBlackVeil's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teens Gibson A prices

    Quote Originally Posted by Cary Fagan View Post
    Can't resist giving my experience. I kept looking for a less expensive Gibson A and finally found a jr on ebay that a cafe member had restored. The body was in perfect shape but the finish had deteriorated and the fretboard (I wonder if it was in a basement for decades) so he refinished it in pumpkin top colours, put on a new fretboard and tuners. The farthest thing from collectible but it looked really nice and I liked the idea of it having none of the usual possible issues. Paid $675. When it arrived I was a little disappointed with the sound which was very tight and not very loud and several times I considered selling it when, after a year of playing it off and on, it suddenly opened up. Sounded like a different instrument, sweet, with more sustain, and louder. I kept trying it because I couldn't believe it. Glad I didn't sell it, I love the thing.
    if you havent yet, you should really try putting on a tonegard on your JR. I put one on mine and was so impressed by the improvement in sound that ive decided to leave it on all the time. Its not just volume, it just sounds bigger, and also had more treble response.
    "When you learn an old time fiddle tune, you make a friend for life"

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