Scooped Fretboard Extension

**Rob Gerety** · Oct-29-2009, 10:40pm

Would it affect the value of a good all original vintage Gibson to scoop the fretboard extension?

**MikeEdgerton** · Oct-29-2009, 10:54pm

Yes. Does that mean you shouldn't do it? No, I did mine because it made it easier for me to play. If the value of the instrument is your primary concern then don't do it.

**jim simpson** · Oct-29-2009, 11:00pm

Good advise Mike. I bought an F5-G used some years ago that already had the extension scooped. I was fine with it as it saved me from doing it. When I sold it, the new buyer seemed happy as well about the scoop.
I used to have a Ratliff that had an abbreviated fingerboard extension and I thought that was a great design. My current Daley F and Collings A both do not have the "Florida" extension so pick click is never an issue.

**Rob Gerety** · Oct-29-2009, 11:17pm

The value is definitely not my primary concern but I have to be a bit concerned about it, yes. Is it a big deal do you think? This instrument is in extremely good condition - one of the best I've seen - but its just a teens paddle head A4. My gut feeling is that it would not hurt the value one iota - but I'm not sure. If its not a big huge deal I'll probably do it.

**sunburst** · Oct-29-2009, 11:21pm

Chris Thile had a new fingerboard installed on his Loar, and had the fingerboard "scooped". If the old 'board is put back on later, will that reduce the value? Will the fact that it is "the Thile Loar" raise the value? Who knows...
...but anyway, I think a truly "vintage" piece should have a replacement fingerboard if it is to have a "scoop", then originality can be restored by putting the old 'board back on. A side benefit might be better intonation too.

**Rob Gerety** · Oct-29-2009, 11:25pm

This instrument has been re-fretted recently. What kind of money roughly to replace the board?

**sunburst** · Oct-29-2009, 11:29pm

Probably a few hundred dollars. If you have it done, be sure to have it done by someone who is experienced with (and good at) that sort of thing.

**Glassweb** · Oct-30-2009, 12:45am

why do you need to scoop the extension on an A4 mandolin?! i think this whole pickin', clickin', scoopin', scallopin' thing has gotten way out of hand... i think i can even recall a time when no-one even gave it a thought... oh yeah, that's right... it was yankin' out Virzi's back in my day...

**Hans** · Oct-30-2009, 7:47am

I'm going to be contrary (what else is new) and say that if it is in extremely good shape, don't touch it. I have a '16 A4 and it's in nearly perfect shape. I wouldn't do anything to it.

**AlanN** · Oct-30-2009, 7:59am

Hey now, Glassweb, warn't it you who decried the existence of the little thingy down there, sayin' who needs it/wants it/gots to have it?

Heck, I agree - it's the appendix of the mandolin world.

**Rob Gerety** · Oct-30-2009, 8:15am

Its on the way to me now. I'm just anticipating an issue. Maybe it will be fine. If it is as it was represented it will be in virtually perfect original condition. But, we all know how that goes. We'll see soon. I think I detect a slightly bent tuner shaft or two. We'll see.

**sunburst** · Oct-30-2009, 8:40am

Oh, you don't have the mandolin yet so you're essentially "borrowing trouble" with the extender. I bet you won't have a problem with "pick click" anyway. A/F4 extenders are not as long as F5 extenders.
Also, I agree with the others above who think it would be best left alone if it's in great shape.

**sgarrity** · Oct-30-2009, 9:05am

That's a pretty A4! It looks to be in great shape and I would leave it original. That fingerboard won't get in your way. and if for some weird reason it does, you can probably modify your picking hand a little to avoid it. I'm usually a proponent of modifying an instrument to make it comfprtable for you to play. But in this case I just don't see how that extension could be an issue.

**Glassweb** · Oct-30-2009, 9:13am

Originally Posted by AlanN

Hey now, Glassweb, warn't it you who decried the existence of the little thingy down there, sayin' who needs it/wants it/gots to have it?

Heck, I agree - it's the appendix of the mandolin world.

hey Alan... A4 extensions don't bug me... it's what's been going on with the F5's that gets me goin'!

**Fretbear** · Oct-30-2009, 9:19am

You'd be crazy to mess with it; it won't be in the way of the sweet spot like it can be on a 5, and it looks super clean and original.

**sunburst** · Oct-30-2009, 10:19am

Yep, it looks like a good, well kept mandolin.
I'm not really an expert on those things, but I've never seen a Gibson fleur-de-lis inlay like that. Of coarse they were hand cut, and the cutter therefore had some artistic freedom, but what do the experts think, is that an original inlay?

**JEStanek** · Oct-30-2009, 10:30am

With as good looking as that instrument is, I would try and adjust my playing and not modify it. But, it's yours. If I were to modify it I would replace the board and keep the original for future sale but, even that will impact it's value. Adn you can be sure I would pay to have someone with experience on these older Gibsons do the work.

Jamie

**Gail Hester** · Oct-30-2009, 11:15am

is that an original inlay?

It looks right to me John. To my eye it fits in to the 1915-1916 era.

I have never heard a complaint about the small A4 fretboard extension getting in the way, no one has ever asked me to scoop one or build one without it.

**sunburst** · Oct-30-2009, 11:35am

I did some browsing through the archive (what a resource!) and yes, it does look right for the early ones. 7 pieces rather than the 4 pieces of the later ones.

**Rob Gerety** · Oct-30-2009, 11:40am

Yea, I was probably getting worried about something that won't be an issue. Sorry for that.

**atetone** · Oct-30-2009, 11:49am

I had my eye on that one too Rob. It appears to be a great example.
I would be interested in knowing after you receive it it if is in as good a condition as it appears.
I was very tempted also but I resisted bidding on it.
If it turns out to be as good as it looks then I would not scoop the board.

**Randy Smith** · Oct-30-2009, 11:55am

Originally Posted by Rob Gerety

Would it affect the value of a good all original vintage Gibson to scoop the fretboard extension?

Rob,

That A-4 looks fantastic. Others have given you really good advice already about why not to scallop the neck, so I'll just beg: *please* don't mess with it!

Cheers,

Randy S.

**Rob Gerety** · Oct-30-2009, 1:05pm

Originally Posted by atetone

I was very tempted also but I resisted bidding on it.

Yea, I hemmed and hawed a lot. I had the money in my pocket because I just sold a few things in preparation for a new mando - so I was primed and ready. I am a little worried - I'll admit that. I kept saying to myself - "Its to good to be true". But in the end I pushed the button. I couldn't resist. The seller had lots of musical instrument transactions all with great feedback. So took a chance. I'm praying I don't get burned. My expectation frankly is that it is going to need some playing to bring the tone out. I just hope I don't end up with a money pit.

I'm already beginning to feel the burden of being the custodian of the instrument. My goal was to buy a mandolin to play - not a museum piece. Don't worry folks, I won't be scooping it. I will probably play it, mostly just in my home, but I will take good care of it.

I think I'm getting a little ahead of myself. I don't even have it in my possession yet.

**JeffD** · Oct-30-2009, 1:16pm

My new Paris Swing has a fretboard extension. First one I have ever struggled with. What a pain, its right under the sweet spot.

But it is an integral part of the aesthetics of the instrument, I am not going to mess with it.

**woodwizard** · Oct-30-2009, 1:19pm

Originally Posted by Hans

I'm going to be contrary (what else is new) and say that if it is in extremely good shape, don't touch it. I have a '16 A4 and it's in nearly perfect shape. I wouldn't do anything to it.

I'm with you on that Hans. I have a really good almost perfect shape all original 1919 A4 and I see no need of changing a thing on that baby ... especially the extension.