That's quite a crack..

**barry** · Feb-03-2010, 12:12pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dearstone-Mandol...item3ca9bdd4ef

"been there for 20 years"

Says it does not impact playability or tone.

Yikes.

**Mandolin Mick** · Feb-03-2010, 12:17pm

That's really great ... A crack so large that you could slip something into the body but it doesn't effect the tone ... Hmmmmm ...

**banJoe** · Feb-03-2010, 12:25pm

It is also "patterned after a 1945 Lloyd Loar Mandolin...." I wonder where that 1945 Loar is right now....???

**jim_n_virginia** · Feb-03-2010, 12:33pm

Thats a BIG crack wow! And why a 45 Gibson? The only one they had maybe?

**AlanN** · Feb-03-2010, 1:26pm

And look how high the florida is off the top. Interesting no neck angle shots in the photo list.

**Tom C** · Feb-03-2010, 1:40pm

It looks like the whole top collapsed. If there's no crack on the other side, it sure looks like there will be a real long one soon.

**ColdBeerGoCubs** · Feb-03-2010, 1:49pm

That'll buff out no problem.

**Darryl Wolfe** · Feb-03-2010, 1:52pm

That's pretty sad and beyond buyer beware. The top is trash

**barney 59** · Feb-03-2010, 2:43pm

just say "No to crack!"

**...and Master of None** · Feb-03-2010, 5:43pm

That's not a crack...it's a pick holder. Yeah, that's it, a pick holder!

I wonder if the seller is Joe Isuzu?

**Tripp Johnson** · Feb-03-2010, 6:28pm

That'll buff out no problem

**Mike Bromley** · Feb-03-2010, 7:07pm

It's now "priced to Move", and the "Llyod" Loar reference has been modified....."Needs the top replaced or repaired by a luthier, other set-up work and a brace needs to be re-glued for security"

I'd prefer o get a top made by a second-rate cabinetmaker...if I got the mando for nothing.

Provided, of course, they secure that brace.

**Pen** · Feb-04-2010, 2:31pm

Holy crack!

**JeffD** · Feb-04-2010, 11:58pm

This'll fix it right up.

**Dwilliams** · Feb-06-2010, 5:58pm

I'm a brand new member here to Mandoline Cafe, in fact, this is my first post. Let me start by saying how appreciative I am of all the support and encouragement you provide to your fellow musicians, particularly mandolin players. I've always felt that it's very important to encourage other musicians regardless of their skill level, beginner to expert. I must also say that I'm extremely impressed with how knowledgeable everyone is in being able to look at a digital photo of an instrument that they've never seen, held or played and offer an expert opinion, regardless of the description offered. Very impressive. I've played mandolin and fiddle for over 30 years. This mandolin was custom made for me, personally and I've played it since. The descriptions of its playability and needed repairs are accurate. I have, however, asked shop that is helping to me move the mandolin to lower the price to try to move it more quickly so that I may invest in another instrument that I'm interested in. Being as knowledgeable as all of you are, I'm sure you realize what Dearstone mandolins sell for and the quality instrument that they are. As described the mandolin needs work and that's is reflected in the price. It is a beautiful and unique mandolin, one of the first few from Dearstone. For someone that could repair the instrument or would wish to have the repairs done elsewhere, it would be a fine mandolin. We certainly welcome any bidders at the new price.

Again, thanks so much for all of your support and promotion of acoustic music, as well as you encouragement and respect for your fellow mandolin players

**Piper** · Feb-06-2010, 6:28pm

Well, I'm convinced...This is so funny--all you guys were being so critical and opinionated and now this...If I don't get my mandolin from bigjoe soon (damaged on return by UPS--Please note--by UPS), I may just put in a bid on this one.

**Piper** · Feb-06-2010, 6:39pm

Oh my...I had not looked at the close up pictures until now. Never mind--waiting for my The Loar to be returned from big joe.

**Mandolin Mick** · Feb-06-2010, 7:11pm

Dear Dwilliams-

Welcome to the Cafe! If you've spent any time reading the different threads and the many posts you would find that the mandolinists here are a real brotherhood, stronger and more loyal than any labor union. We may disagree from time to time, but rarely does it get personal.

You may take the comments here personally because it's your mandolin, and you have that right. But the comments were about the condition of your mandolin.

As somebody who has been playing much longer than you, I learned a long time ago that when the majority around me has come to a consensus that differs with me; I'm wrong. The musicians here are very, very knowledgeable and I have been corrected by them.

I think you will find the musicians here exactly as you described them, supportive and encouraging.

Peace & Love, Mick

**allenhopkins** · Feb-06-2010, 10:15pm

If the description is accurate, the owner (Dwilliams above, I guess) has been playing it for 20 years with large open crack under the bass post of the adjustable bridge. There appears to be another crack under the other foot of the bridge. The first crack may have finish touch-up around it, which would indicate some repair efforts at some point.

I'd love to try out the Dearstone and determine if the top damage affects its sound or playability; the seller says it doesn't. Absent hands-on testing, we have the photos to go on, and they, honestly, ain't pretty. The responses -- some a bit light-hearted, I admit -- reflect an "omigod" reaction to the apparent condition of the mandolin's top.

Not sure who "the shop that is helping me move the mandolin" (eBay auction house?) is. And sarcasm doesn't help. Taking an honest look at the pictures raises major caution flags. All Ray D's F-models now are priced around $9K, apparently. Used F-5M (gold hardware) went recently for $4.5K. One might assume that the current instruments reflect decades of building experience, and might exceed in quality one of the earliest built, but that's an assumption. A price of $2.2K could be seen as a "bargain," but not if the entire top needs replacement. So it's a gamble.

Some of us tend to be a bit skittish about eBay instruments that appear "off," for one reason or another. I made a bit of a fool of myself doubting the authenticity of a "customized" Martin mandolin in a recent thread. But you gotta admit that major top damage on an instrument for which the seller is asking a pretty good price, is going to draw some reaction.

**8STRNG** · Feb-06-2010, 11:32pm

That huge crack has to effect tone and playability although it will be a very nice mando when the crack is repaired.

**Piper** · Feb-07-2010, 11:47am

If the crack does not affect the tone or playability, I would be very interested in confirmation of this assertion. By no means am I doubting the statements made, but let me just tell you all that I have become so jaded these days that I don't believe anybody, and I mean anybody. Would have to have it in my hands before paying any amount of money. That is unfortunate, but lying and exaggeration and fabrication have become common place these days. Anyway, if this damage does not affect this mandolin, I certainly am not going to fret over a ding or scratch in my mandolin from now on.

**Mike Bromley** · Feb-07-2010, 12:06pm

Originally Posted by Piper

I certainly am not going to fret over a ding or scratch in my mandolin from now on.

That's a novel way to hide a flaw.

**Piper** · Feb-07-2010, 5:38pm

Maybe we have been a little harsh with DWilliams. Not intentionally and not in a mean spirited way, mind you. I would like to ask him to post a sound clip of the mandolin. That may convince us to put in bids. Okay??? A sound clip would be very helpful. Maybe Kentucky Waltz or, you pick the tune and I'll listen. Even with my very imperfect ear I should be able to give a thumbs up or down as to the tone and playability. What would be even better would be a video sound clip, similar to YouTube. But I ramble...