Original 1939 f-4?

**bdeivert** · Apr-17-2008, 11:13am

Hi

I have been offered this mandolin and I would like to buy it, but not sure if this is the original neck - because of the headstock inlay. According to the seller, it is a 1939 F-4. I have never seen this particular headstock inlay before (and it sure isn't as nice as the Ferns!!!) so I wanted to check with you experts... the serial number he gave me definitely fits 1939. Do these have much less value than the other F-4s? I have only seen pics of it and not in person. The seller is an honest person, so that is not a worry.

thanks!
Cheers
BERT

**allenhopkins** · Apr-17-2008, 11:35am

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/GIBSON-MANDOLIN-F4-Antique-Circa-1936-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ250215426818QQihZ015QQcategoryZ1
0179QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Here's a link </a> to a very similar one recently auctioned on eBay, although the eBay instrument was in much worse shape. #It apparently went for $2,100. #I would think that the instrument you're considering, which looks to be in very good shape, would be worth substantially more. #F-4's seem to be going for $5-7K, but these are mostly the ones from the teens and twenties, with the fancier headstock inlay. #If this one plays well and sounds good, I'd say at least $4K would be a current estimate.

**bdeivert** · Apr-17-2008, 12:08pm

Hi Allen

thanks for the advice, the asking price is around 5000 dollars here in Europe, and the headstock has been cracked and glued back on apparently, but otherwise looks very good.

hmm thinking hard!

cheers
BERT

**trevor** · Apr-18-2008, 3:03am

Bert,
If the headstock has been broken off and re-attached that would devalue it very substantially. You would also want to be sure it plays properly before buying it.

**Ray(T)** · Apr-21-2008, 11:21am

Is it the whole headstock which was broken off or just the scrolly bit to the right of the Gibson logo - which tends to happen occasionally? Whilst both would de-value it as Trevor said, I'd be less worried with the latter.
Ray