Gathering info on this mandolin . . .

[Wdhixson]

I inherited the pictured mandolin, it's not in great shape but any info provided is appreciated. Thanks.

[multidon]

I believe you have a Gibson F-4, even though the model number is obscured in the picture. Serial number 50644 is in the mandolin archives and, according to Spann's guide, had a ship date of 1918. Yours, 50647, is most likely a 1918 as well. Retail value should be in the neighborhood of 5000 dollars, maybe more in excellent shape. Yours is missing the bridge. Do you have it? I would recommend taking it to a well qualified mandolin luthier for evaluation, stabilization, and an estimate for restoration to playing condition. It would be money well spent.

[allenhopkins]

What Don said.

Congratulations on a wonderful inheritance!

[MikeEdgerton]

The key here is that it has to be in good condition. You appear to be missing the pickguard and clamp and the handle on the case isn't original. Don't take that 5 grand as the final answer to what it's worth. You may not be anywhere near that if there are structural issues. Find a luthier in your area that's familiar with mandolins (the young guy at the Guitar Center isn't going to be the right guy unless you're extremely lucky). Unfortunately it doesn't look like you're real close to anyone I'm aware of.

[colorado_al]

For being 99 years old and sitting in the back of a closet somewhere, it looks pretty good to me! If you have the original bridge, that is a plus. If there is someone near you who has experience working on vintage instruments, it would be a good idea to have them check it out. Also possible to have it evaluated by a violin maker, if there isn't a mandolin specialist nearby. After evaluation, you could send it to be repaired/setup to play, if there isn't anyone in the area who is up to the task.

[mrmando]

That looks like it has potential. We'd need to see more photos: the back and sides, all the joints, any open seams or anything loose.

It is definitely a 1918 F4. The celluloid pickguard has "outgassed" and crumbled away, leaving the grimy residue on one-half of the soundhole and the lower frets. So it needs a good professional cleaning and setup. There may be a pickguard clamp and a bridge loose in the case; don't toss any such pieces, they are valuable.

Vintage case handles can be had for 20 bucks or thereabouts, so that's not a big concern. If you sold this as is without getting it checked out or taking any more pictures, you'd get between 3K and 4K. With an inspection and repair/setup by a luthier you're talking over 4K. Not top dollar since it doesn't have an original pickguard, but a healthy sum.

Or, have it fixed up, keep it in the family and learn to play!

[ferrousgeek]

If you tell us where you are located, one of us may be able to refer you to an appropriate luthier.

[Wdhixson]

First I want thank all of you that responed. The mandolin originally belonged to a great uncle born 1919, died 1979...from there it went to his nephew (my father) who recently handed me a box of things to "do something with". Knowing that it is nearly 100 yrs old puts a different perspective on the instrument....hope i look that good at 99. I've not located its bridge yet but have found various pics, a few other parts and a box of strings. I've taken a few additional pictures that show it better. I'm located in the small town of Connellsville PA, 45 miles south of Pittsburgh so if you know of a luthier please let me know. I'm not sure if I will repair it and keep it or ultimately sell it but i would like someone to see it in person.

[mrmando]

The first place in Pittsburgh that most folks would recommend is Acoustic Music Works: http://acousticmusicworks.com/

I don't see anything of enormous concern, but there is a boo-boo at the very peak of the headstock, on the back, where the wood has been chewed up a bit. The luthier may want to patch that up. it will need to be checked to ensure that seams and braces are tight, neck straight, etc., as well as cleaning off the pickguard residue. High-quality replacement bridges can be had for $85 or less, and the labor cost of fitting it will be part of the luthier's setup fee.

The little piece of metal in your last photo with the July 4, 1911 patent stamp is a pickguard clamp. There are lots of options for replacement pickguards, and if you sell the instrument you might want to just leave that decision to the buyer.

There could be additional structural problems that aren't evident in the photos, but from what we see here, restoration should not be too complex or expensive. It's well worth bringing this instrument back to life.

[colorado_al]

Very cool! +1 for Acoustic Music Works. I think they have Lou Stiver of Polk, PA do their vintage instrument repairs. He is a fine instrument maker in his own right. Definitely the person to take it to. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Follow up and let us know how it goes!

[Jim Garber]

Martin/mrmando pretty much covered what we could see in the photos with the exception of the bridge area of the top which looks possibly like the bridge was glued onto the top at one point. Otherwise, I don't know why the finish would be removed there. I suppose it could have been a very humid day and the bridge just stuck.

[mrmando]

Martin/mrmando pretty much covered what we could see in the photos with the exception of the bridge area of the top which looks possibly like the bridge was glued onto the top at one point.

True, yeah, you're down to bare wood in one spot where the bridge used to be. Bridges usually mar the finish to some extent, but this is far more than normal. If there's any spruce actually missing there, the luthier might fill the gap before fitting a new bridge.

It's possible that the bridge had been glued down there, or perhaps it became stuck to the top with the gunk from the disintegrating pickguard.

[maj34]

That's a great mandolin to inherit!

I think this mandolin is in the date range to have Handel tuner buttons. Does anyone know if that is correct?

[mrmando]

Gibson stopped using Handels in 1918. Some Gibsons from that year have them and some do not.

[John Soper]

Sweet mandolin and a cool inheiritance! I agree with the recommendation for Acoustic Music Works in Pittsburgh or going directly through Lou Stiver. Worth evaluation and repair especially if no major issues that aren't showing up in the photos; top of the Gibson mandolin family when it was made.

[Tobin]

I don't see anything of enormous concern, but there is a boo-boo at the very peak of the headstock, on the back, where the wood has been chewed up a bit.

That worn spot at the tip of the peghead back is perfectly normal for this vintage. If you look inside the case, you'll see why it's like that. These old Geib cases did not cradle the neck, and so the back of the peghead would rest (and rub) on the case. Every F2 and F4 mandolin from this era, that came in a Geib case, will have similar wear.

That is a great old mandolin! I have a 1918 F4 that looks just like it (except mine does have the bridge, pick guard, and Handel tuner buttons). Speaking of the buttons, I love the striations and discoloration that have happened to yours. Assuming they're not cracked/damaged badly enough to warrant replacing, I'd leave them just like that. That's character.

As for the bridge marks, it does look to me like this mandolin has overspray all over it. Especially the back. I'm wondering if the finish got pulled off where the bridge sat because someone set the bridge before the overspray was fully cured? Just a guess.

The "case candy" with your mandolin is good stuff! Those boxes of Gibson strings are really cool. If they are original strings from that era, I'm sure plenty of us would love to see them, and get more information on them.

And also, I have to say, you should check those picks carefully. Be very cautious here. Since the subject is controversial, I'll shoot you a private message on it.

[Wdhixson]

I've reached out to Acoustic Music Works and will keep you all posted on what happens. Thanks to all of you for your assistance.
Bill

[colorado_al]

I've reached out to Acoustic Music Works and will keep you all posted on what happens. Thanks to all of you for your assistance.
Bill

Interested in what they have to say and how it turns out! Please report back with news.

[George R. Lane]

Hey Al,
Not to change the subject but, how is it going with your Breedlove? Maybe you could update the thread.

[fscotte]

I'm even more intrigued by the vintage picks. It looks like you may have a 1920's Wurlitzer vacuum grip pick in there. Maybe a few Gretsch picks from the 30's as well.

[Timbofood]

What a cool inheritance, indeed!
I love F-4's, it doesn't look like it's been terribly abused at all from pictures. I do fine it interesting that the strings appear to have been cut and the edge of the tailpiece cover. Try sliding the cover back, start gently, its likely stuck. Then you can get the tails out and it will be a touch more tidy.
See what the restoration will entail and learn to play it! Or you can call my sister and have her bring it here when she comes to visit and I will give it a GOOD home!

[mrmando]

It's not at all uncommon for those cork-grip picks to turn up in old instrument cases.