Another interesting Ebay Gibson F4 for all of us to discuss

[mrmando]

I see finish checking and a little loose binding on the fretboard extension, but nothing major.

[George R. Lane]

Ok. I have blown this image up in photoshop and from what I can see it is a 3 that someone has changed to an 8. If you look closely the loop in the middle appears to be a loop some would make when drawing the number 3 and then someone has added the little legs (what I call them) to make it an 8.

[Nettles]

Methinks there is a little crack on the top...from a new pic...bass side of sound hole. I agree about being very shy/crazy about spending 4K on a mandy you don't have at least 48hr approval on. I recently had to return 2 different F4's for issues not disclosed by "well known" music stores, but they did have 48hr approval. It's also a issue of sound...don't ya think...you can only know that after you play it.

Happy to say I finally ended up with a nice F4, it was on the bay with no return. I emailed the seller, and said I couldn't buy his mandolin without the 48hr approval and after not selling it the first time he re-listed with 3 day approval, I tried it and ended up keeping it...Yeah!

Annette

www.livingtreemusic.com

[f5loar]

The new photos and info. do show it's not a waterspot but a 3 and they now give the FON of 3385 which pretty much nails this one to 1917. Seems to fit that era too with the tuners and solid bridge and all. Nice looking flamed back too. I'd say it's worth $4K on a gamble if the top ain't smashed in.

[f5loar]

FYI in the new March issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine in their monthly up-to-date price guide they list a 1918 F4 at a low price of $5,700 and a high price of $7000.

[Gary Hedrick]

nice looking back.....and as tom says...the price is right if the top is sound....and the neck isn't twisted....Now if I just had one of those bonuses ......college payments await...

[Gary Hedrick]

Also Tom every time I see your avitar I get a startle.....WSM is back amoung us....

[houseworker]

I think it's a fair starting price, the instrument is clearly original and complete; the Handel tuners are a big plus. If the seller would ship to the UK I'd be debating whether to bid on it.

Looks like there's the start of a small split in the top to the left of the bridge. That wouldn't deter me, although the seller's fairly minimal feedback might.

[lmartnla]

Some thoughts on buying a mandolin sight unseen from someone you don't know.
I rarely do it unless it is a Cafe person. I have bought Ebay mandolins and for around this amount of money so perhaps I am just a risk taker with too much cash at times. (Love those bonuses!)

I'd like to ask the group their thoughts on risk and what they look for to mitigate that risk. There is a lot of fear of the unknown for the members on this issue. One does have to be very cautious but I have done it.

My luck has been pretty good on Ebay. During the period roughly between 2004 through 2007 we bought 4 vintage mandolins off Ebay, a 1913 Gibson A4, a Vega cylinder back, a Lyon and Healy Professional Style A, and a 1917 Gibson F4. All were exactly as described except the A4, which had a non-disclosed 2 inch incipient center back seam separation at the butt end that I had cleated by a luthier to prevent progression (seller lied it had not been there when he shipped it). The prices paid were all mid range to only slightly high for such instruments but there were numerous bidders in each case along with me.

In contrast, my one vintage instrument purchase from our Cafe (from a luthier, no less) described only one repaired top crack. But there were two top cracks, both clearly visible and repaired with cleats that were easily felt by my forefinger through oval hole. In addition there was an undisclosed clearly visible short seam separation between top and side in the area between the neck and scroll, and furthermore the back had been oversprayed. The seller complained he was just a struggling luthier who was not so experienced in evaluating vintage instruments although he had been a little suspicious about the back finish. I guess he can build them but not evaluate them.

You can run into dishonesty wherever you go to purchase long distance. I don't care to do it any longer, but I love looking at the classifieds.---Lou

[Jim Nollman]

I'm certainly not in the collector's league of most of you, but i have been confronted by the same issue of what it takes, for me to consider dropping 4 figures on an unexamined mandolin. Four things have to align for me to ever consider such a thing.

1. I have to already be chomping at the bit to find that particular instrument before I ever saw that it was up for sale. A perfect Lyon and Healey (long neck, with the scroll headstock) is an example of something that could get me to bid with stars in my eyes.

2. The price has to be a steal. An OK-condition Gibson F4 for $4000 is too high. At that price it would have to be in perfect condition. Plus, if i did want an F4 from that era, there's enough of them around that without too much trouble, I could drive or possibly fly not too far from home to check it out firsthand.

3. The photos have to scream "Nothing hidden from view."

4. You want my $4000? I want a recording of the instrument made by a competent mandolin player that gives me some idea of how it sounds. A video is better. This criteria may show that I'm not really a collector. But that's how I dropped a relative bundle on my current love, a BRW 3-point. i was already lusting after one only because it seems so uniquely elegant. The I found out Ben Wilcox only built 3 or 4 of them. The jazzmando website then posted a stellar review of a prototype for the other 3. 6 months went by, when out of the blue an established player posted one for sale in the Cafe classifieds. I downloaded some of his music from iTunes, listened closely, then talked to him on the phone to find out precisely why he was selling it. He was saving up for a high end bandolim. I bought the 3-point the next day.

[Utility Picker]

When I got my Gibson F-2, I was told it was made in 1917. It has the Handel tuners, the same March 30, 09 date on the pick guard, and the same July 4, 1911 date on the swiveling "anchor" for the pick guard that the pictured F-4 has. The FON number on mine is 3420, which is 35 numbers past the 3385 FON number of the F-4. When Joe Spann's book came out, it turns out my F-2 was actually made in April of 1916. I'm guessing the F-4 under discussion is either an early 1916 model, or a late 1915 model given it's FON number. Just my imo.

UP

[stevie]

Hi all............There is something else that I noticed in the photo that George has blown up, look at the F4 on the label and behind the 4 it almost looks like a 2 under it??????????????? Anyone see this?

[George R. Lane]

Hi all............There is something else that I noticed in the photo that George has blown up, look at the F4 on the label and behind the 4 it almost looks like a 2 under it??????????????? Anyone see this?

Stevie,
I too noticed that and I concluded that whomever filled out the label may have made a mistice and drew the 4 with alot of pressure to make up for their mistake.

[Ken Waltham]

I noticed that right off. Confusing, because it is obviously not, nor ever has been, an F2.

[Gerry Cassidy]

Another advantage can be, as it is for me in this case, living in close proximity to the seller. Florence, depending on what part, is 30-45 minutes away from me. If I were in the market you could bet I'd be down there giving it a go before I bought it.

If it weren't close, I would use any connections I have in the online world to find someone close to check it out for me.

[Dan Margolis]

After hearing my friend playing his newly-acquired F4 a few months ago (it really was spectacular), I wish that I could afford one.

[Nettles]

Regretfully, not all F4's are created equal (sound wise) always good idea to play um first : )

After hearing my friend playing his newly-acquired F4 a few months ago (it really was spectacular), I wish that I could afford one.

[Utility Picker]

Sold - - - for $4,149.00

UP