Anybody know anything about this builder and his mandolins?

[Timmando]

I can't help but notice these on ebay, the fancy work and the price. Anyone know how they sound, quality of the build, etc? This is almost too fancy of a mandolin to me...but if it didn't have the vine inlay on the fretboard, I might find it an interesting experiment to try one as a beater!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160754852618...84.m1439.l2649

[George R. Lane]

JUNK. They are wall hangers. Benn talked about many times before.

[allenhopkins]

This type of mandolin is often found on eBay. To generalize: many of these are made in Vietnam, as part of a "cottage industry" that involves builders working in small shops or out of their homes, and sold through Taiwan. If you search on keywords like "inlaid artist," "Bruce Wei," "Antoniotsai" etc., you'll find extensive discussion.

Paul Hostetter on the Cafe has perhaps more experience than most in dealing with these instruments; he was quoted in this recent thread, which is informative. The general summary seems to be, that quality varies quite widely, with some mandolins being acceptable players, others having problems with unseasoned wood, flimsy metal parts, inlays falling out, improper construction (neck angle, etc.).

Obviously, they are very reasonably priced, as compared with the products of recognized Asian makers. Also obviously, they can be extremely ornate, gaudy, as you've mentioned. You may get a "keeper," and you may get a piece of decor masquerading as a musical instrument. If you'd be satisfied with an "interesting experiment," you'll have ample opportunity to take a flier at one.

The two I've seen and played have been acoustically disappointing, and I'm not a big fan of the mother-of-pearl birds and butterflies. You're not risking a lot of money, and if you go into it with eyes open and modest expectations, you might get a usable "beater." Or not.

[Timmando]

Thanks...that recent thread says it all!

[trevor]

I've had a couple brought in for fixing up, not worth the effort.

[FloridaCracker]

I think Ebay fuels a lot of MAS. I was bidding on a Kalamazoo Gidson recently... They always get too rich for my blood, and I really don't need another mandolin. The ones the OP mention show up all over Ebay, but they don't seem to sell. There are so many on there, that I'm surprised there arent more threads with questions about them.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Mostly,they're over-ornate firewood - Quote from Florida Cracker "..Ebay fuels..." .'Fuel' being the operative word,
Ivan

[pfox14]

There is a very large "cottage" industry of Vietnamese inlay artists. I get my inlay work done over there. The quality is good most of the time as long as you are getting decent wood to start with. As someone mentioned, they have access to S.E. Asian RW and ebony and fairly cheap prices, but it's not always properly dried. Tends to lead to a lot of warping and cracking. Buyer beware.