1924 a1 snakehead

**mrmando** · Jan-18-2007, 1:19am

Unbelievabubble.

Sorry, it's really a 1923, apparently. SN 74723, already uploaded to the Archive. Not for the faint of heart, although the seller's lack of feedback might give one pause.

**Jim Garber** · Jan-18-2007, 8:11am

In cases where the sellers have 0 feedback I would email and ask to speak to them in person, perhaps ask for an approval period. Hard to tell from the photos, but the neck looks very red. Could be completely legit. OTOH could also be a complete pro refinish. You really need to have it in hand to tell for sure.

Jim

**mythicfish** · Jan-18-2007, 8:42am

Let me play it for 6 months ... I guarantee you'd never recognize it as the same instrument.
My motto: Ride 'em hard and put 'em away wet!

Curt

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**sgarrity** · Jan-18-2007, 9:33am

That is amazing. And here I am job hunting........oh well. Maybe some other day. But if it's legit someone is gonna get a brand new 80 year old mandolin!

Shaun

**Tom Mylet** · Jan-18-2007, 9:46am

I live in Winston-Salem and asked the seller if I could come by for a look at it. So far, no response. If I get to take a look (& hopefully to play a tune or two) I'll share my observations. I have no financial interest or intention to bid.

Tom

**dmamlep** · Jan-18-2007, 10:12am

and all of us appreciate you for doing that, its a shame
that you cant trust people. I have always had a problem
with trusting people. but I still have hope. that is
till they do me wrong.

**jefflester** · Jan-18-2007, 12:18pm

Originally Posted by (mrmando @ Jan. 17 2007, 23:19)

Sorry, it's really a 1923, apparently. SN 74723, already uploaded to the Archive.

Why does the archive page say Gryphon is the source? Or is that just who submitted it?

**mrmando** · Jan-18-2007, 1:35pm

My guess is that Frank Ford found it on eBay and uploaded the info to the Archive, Frank being one of the select gentlemen who's authorized to do that.

**Matt Bowe** · Jan-18-2007, 9:43pm

Too bad that those case hinges broke after being put away and left for +/-84 yrs.
Lovely instrument photos, tho...

**MandoCowboy** · Jan-19-2007, 5:14pm

Interesting.

This same mando was sold on ebay 4/3/2006. Same S/N. Almost the exact same wording in the sales description. What's up with that? Did the new owner give it back to grandpa's daughter for a minute or 2 so the story could be repeated.

Seach for Snakehead A record price in the cafe's archives. There's a link to the ebay sale.

Sounds a bit fishy with the repeat sales pitch.

**mrmando** · Jan-19-2007, 8:21pm

Ouch! You are correct, sir! Here's the original auction, and here's the thread discussing it.

That explains why it was already in the Archive! The current auction is bogus and will be reported ASAP.

**Rich Michaud** · Jan-21-2007, 6:21am

Guys, I was the high bidder until I read this thread. Thanks for saving me from a potential fraud. I only wish we could contact the other bidders. Rich

**MandoCowboy** · Jan-21-2007, 9:17pm

I asked the seller a few questions about the manodlin's condition. After a couple of days, I get an email telling me I could buy the instrument right now for a price he named. Did not answer any of my original questions. Interesting.

**mrmando** · Jan-22-2007, 12:46am

MandoCowboy, if you'd be so good as to forward the seller's e-mail to eBay, you can help get this auction deep-sixed. eBay may not give a %^&%(*^&% about a duplicate auction, but they'll jump on anyone who tries to weasel out of paying their seller fees.

**danb** · Jan-22-2007, 1:49am

Originally Posted by (mrmando @ Jan. 18 2007, 19:35)

My guess is that Frank Ford found it on eBay and uploaded the info to the Archive, Frank being one of the select gentlemen who's authorized to do that.

Frank's records were added in 2003.. The presence of that record means he has seen it before then I suppose. So far, it's still just me that does the data entry on the archive

I do have a pretty big backlog now.. mostly recent ebay auctions to process. I bet I have that one in "the pile" to update..

**MandoCowboy** · Jan-22-2007, 10:05am

I wrote to the person who was the ebay auction winner back in April of 06. He replied that he still owns the mandolin, and the current auction is bogus, and will let the ebay folks know about it. Please spread the word.

**Jerry Byers** · Jan-22-2007, 10:11am

I'm always appalled that eBay isn't more active with frauds and scams with stringed instruments. I have reported hundreds of them and nothing ever happens. This is an obvious fraud.

Be very afraid.

**MML** · Jan-26-2007, 6:33pm

Auction ended for 3300 plus bucks, someone is going to be disappointed. They must not be up on this site to have seen the warnings

**mrmando** · Jan-27-2007, 1:04am

Could be ... or could be someone who's wise to the situation and just bid the instrument up to prevent a tragedy. It wasn't me, though.

Auction's no longer private now that it's over. I e-mailed the buyer.

**Jerry Byers** · Jan-27-2007, 6:42am

This goes to show that eBay doesn't care about the buyer's interest. I reported this auction, citing the older auction, and nothing was done. And I'm sure that others reported it, as well. It's all about the money.

I hope somebody can get through to the buyer and warn them before any money is sent.

**mythicfish** · Jan-27-2007, 8:16am

"This goes to show that eBay doesn't care about the buyer's interest."

Jerry, while it would be nice if Ebay, could protect us against fraud (and ourselves!) ... I'm not going to hold my breath until that day arrives. In light of the long list of bid retractions, the winning bidder would surely realize the need for caution and seek to pick up the (non-existent) instrument in person.
Then again, he/she may have sustained a brain injury resulting from a fall off of a turnip truck.

Caveat emptor, baby.
Curt

**Eric F.** · Feb-09-2007, 8:16am

It's <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/1924-Gibson-Lloyd-Loar-era-A1-Snake-head-mandolin_W0QQitemZ160083651553QQihZ006QQcategoryZ
10179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">back, </a>listed under another seller's name. He/she also has <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Snakehead-Mandolin-Lloyd-Loar-era_W0QQitemZ160083652174QQihZ006QQcategoryZ10179Q Qrd
Z1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">another </a>snakehead listed.