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Thread: Derrington Distressed MM #1

  1. #1
    Closet Banjo Picker P.D. Kirby's Avatar
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    Default Derrington Distressed MM #1

    Generally I don't get too excited when I see the 20k + Mandolins in the Classifieds but Charlie's personal Mandolin, not just another MM but one he built for his own personal use. OMG, what an honor it would be to own such an important piece of Gibson Mandolin history or better yet Mandolin History. No I don't have the asking price so all I can do is admire it from a distance but from where I'm sitting this is just as exciting as seeing a Loar that has been tucked away. Can anyone shar with us how this Mandolin came to be and how it ended up in hands other than a Derrington family member? I ask this with the deepest respect for Charlie Derrington his family and the current owner as well. I am just wondering what the back story of the Mandolin is and also feel it's history should become a part of the Mandolin Cafe archives. I did a quick search and found so many threads with the search terms Derrington and Mandolin to even consider looking for the answer to my question so please help out the new guy and fill me in.

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    Registered User dcoventry's Avatar
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    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    Immediately caught my eye, too. Fascinating to see this pop
    up somewhat randomly.
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    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    Here's a link...
    Last edited by Spruce; Jul-09-2011 at 10:26am.

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    Registered User G. Fisher's Avatar
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    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    Maybe Big Joe can fill in the blanks. I'm surprised it wouldn't have any labels because I know the prototype Master Models did. I believe the labels help keep track of what done on each of the prototypes.
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  5. #5

    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    I've played this mandolin. It is the quintessential bluegrass mandolin. It's sound has turned the heads of many accomplished mandolin players. I've played several Loars, numerous Gilchrists and many others and this instrument stand out. The history is fascinating and explains the lack of a label. The owner is only selling because he is not a "bluegrass" player and wants a mandolin more suitable to his style. That being said, I have no financial interest in this sale. Just letting the Cafe members know that this is an exceptional instrument.

  6. #6
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    The listed "ad owner," Monica Rizzio, is the violinist in Tripping Lily. Alex Becrelis is their mandolin player. Here they are in concert:

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  7. #7

    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    For the record, the MM being played in the video is not the distressed MM listed for sale.

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    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    How the mandolin got where it is now I have no idea. Charlie had a few DMM's over a period of a few years until his demise. This one did not have a label and he was always going to put one in but just did not get around to it. Originally it was thought he might get an old piece of paper and put a replica Loar label in it for fun. However, he just could not do that. We did get some vintage paper from the flyleaf of old books and have them printed with the MM label and used those. On the one in question it was made before that label was available.

    The DMM's started as an effort to see what could be done. That first batch only 3 were converted. One of those was Charlie's. It was a good mandolin and he liked that it sounded very close to his real Lloyd Loar. It is a very good mandolin and certainly collectible. It was not the only DMM or MM that Charlie owned but one of his favorites.
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    Closet Banjo Picker P.D. Kirby's Avatar
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    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    Thanks Big Joe, I knew Charlie had a Loar but I guess I was thinking this was his number 1. I guess when you run the Gibson Mandolin shop you tend to have more than a few laying around. I still think it would be an honor to own it.
    Never Argue with an Idiot, they will just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

  10. #10
    Registered User dcoventry's Avatar
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    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    The Corporate Behemoth Gibson has made some iffy calls that have put business before art, but some of the folks that have walked those hallowed halls have seriously put the art and music ahead of everything when they could. Mr. Derrington was one of them. His impact will long be felt.

    Let us all wish David Harvey the best of luck and success, too.
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    Registered User Glassweb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    I played a Derrington signed non-distressed Master Model F5 at the Symposium last week that was just exceptional in every way. Some instruments have just "got it" and this one surely "had it"! Charlie D was certainly on a mission during his brief tenure at Gibson. In a strange way his short time/big impact stature at Gibson reminds me of Loar's...

  12. #12
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    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    This mandolin is very cool, and definitely collectable!! But for the price tag I will say that the Master Models
    produced the last couple of years under Dave Harveys tenure are very much as good as the Earlier models and
    priced more effectively. Even the post flood mandolins are amazing that I have seen the last few months.
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  13. #13
    Registered User mando1man's Avatar
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    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    I have no doubt that this was *one* of the prototypes (prototype #1.... ). But trying to get full retail price for it because it was Charlie's "personal" mandolin, I'm not so sure. I never saw him playing out with it. I was a good friend of Charlie's and played in several bands with him. Over the years I purchased a good number of mandolins from him, as he was always trying to get the money towards his next Loar. I bought Charlie's Gil from him a few years after it was built. I bought his prototype distressed MM in 2004 , (D-70286 October 12, 2003), so he could get a Loar. In his appraisal he states that indeed it was the prototype that he built for himself and he played it on gigs till he sold it to me.I hope Monica can get $25K for that mandolin, that means the market is coming back. This is a photo of D-70286
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    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    It's quite likely that there will be fewer of the MM's and DMM's than Loars. Who knows how long Gibson will continue to produce the high end models, unless someone special orders them. Therefore, maybe not in our lifetime, but eventually these mandolins may turn out to be an excellent "investment" - however - buy them because they are great players and if they turn out to be worth more than you paid great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    PS: Looks like the price of Loars may have gotten a little more realistic!
    Linksmaker

  15. #15

    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    I have always been very interested in this DMM. It has a History that is unique to all other Derrington Master Models. In actuality all of the Derrington Distressed Master Models where "Prototypes" That is why there are so few of them. It wasn't until 2005 that they where produced with an regularity and then they were all signed by Danny Roberts. This one in particular has an amazing story about it's finish and distressing that I will let the owner share with whoever is planning on purchasing it. I think it is well worth the asking price.
    '02 Gibson master model #70327 02-01-02
    '25 Gibson A-4 Snakehead #82626
    '06 Hicks #1 and #2 F-5 still not done

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  16. #16

    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    Here is a link to some Pictures of this DMM http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...7.457824645116
    It looks more like a Loar than probably any other Modern Era Master Model I have seen.
    '02 Gibson master model #70327 02-01-02
    '25 Gibson A-4 Snakehead #82626
    '06 Hicks #1 and #2 F-5 still not done

    Gibson F-5 Master Model Registry

  17. #17
    Registered User dcoventry's Avatar
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    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    Carl,

    That link doesn't appear to work....and I want to see those pics!
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  18. #18
    Closet Banjo Picker P.D. Kirby's Avatar
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    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    I think you need to have a Face Book account in order to see them. I have been FB free since December 2010 and don't miss it enough just to see some Mandolin pictures. So Dave after you sign up please post the pictures for the rest of us to see, Thanks Pal
    Never Argue with an Idiot, they will just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

  19. #19

    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    Here are the pictures for those with out facebook accounts.


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    '02 Gibson master model #70327 02-01-02
    '25 Gibson A-4 Snakehead #82626
    '06 Hicks #1 and #2 F-5 still not done

    Gibson F-5 Master Model Registry

  20. #20
    Closet Banjo Picker P.D. Kirby's Avatar
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    Default Re: Derrington Distressed MM #1

    @carleshicks Thanks for uploading the pictures. That is a sweet looking Mandolin whoever buys it will certainly be getting a gem.
    Never Argue with an Idiot, they will just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

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