http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/msg/3000838977.html
It looks very clean. They're asking $500. Is it worth that?
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/msg/3000838977.html
It looks very clean. They're asking $500. Is it worth that?
Larry Hunsberger
2013 J Bovier A5 Special w/ToneGard
D'Addario FW-74 flatwound strings
1909 Weymann&Sons bowlback
1919 Weymann&Sons mandolute
Ibanez PF5
1993 Oriente HO-20 hybrid double bass
3/4 guitar converted to octave mandolin
It's late 30's, I could probably get closer by features if I had my books here. They usually sell from 400-500. I bought one a few years ago for a little less.
I don't know about the price... I am sure you can bargain some. Seems fair to me, tho. The only thing not original seems to me to be the bridge. This one looks original.
Jim
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Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Wow, that looks like a really nice instrument for the price range.
Mike, what's the tone and playability like on these?
That can't be the original bridge/saddle, right?
c.1965 Harmony Monterey H410 Mandolin
"What a long, strange trip it's been..." - Robert Hunter
"Life is too important to be taken seriously." - Oscar Wilde
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Jim, I think they went to an adjustable bridge in the late 30's. I can check that when I get home. Ed, I had one from the first year they made it and the neck was the best neck I've ever played on any mandolin and the tone was sweet, not bluegrass bark, sweet. These were actually nice little instruments.
One just sold on feebay within the last 30 days for around 275.00..looked very original w/ case and all.
Hughes F-5 #1
Hughes A model #1
1922 Gibson A-2
1958 Gibson A-5
Regarding the bridge, Frank Ford has the one below in the Museum on www.frets.com. Same bridge, I think it's original.
It is the same model as this, same bridge as well. It's a late 30's KM-11. You'll also see that one sold for 500.00 just before the one you referenced. If you want to really mix it up I bought one for 125.00 a few years back. That's the joy of eBay. The one you referenced had some finish problems, a hole in the heel for a strap button, and cracks in the back as well. The tailpiece cover on the eBay one is in better shape though.
I had one of these, enjoyed it a lot. Mine had tuner problems and the sound/tone, while just fine, was second place to my Flatiron 1N (also a pancake). Yeah, the Gibson had antiquity and a cool vibe, but I've had no regrets over time going with my Flatiron. I sold mine for $400.00 about 6 years ago. I'd think $500.00 to be in the range, neither too low or too high. Not a great deal though. . .
f-d
ˇpapá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!
'20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A
You may very well be right. I did an image search and got a lot with the nonadjustable smaller bridge and an equal amount with this adjustable one. Going from the era I, Gibson seemed to make the lighter part of the sunburst get bigger as the decade (1930s) progressed -- at least that is certainly the case with the L-00 guitars. So that would indicate that the adjustable bridge was used in the later part of the 1930s.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Hey guys, don't forget, you get a book of Joyful Party Songs with the mando...
Nothin' more joyful, than a joyful mandolin party!
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
I've had a couple of these, both mid 30s without the adjustable bridges. I'd agree with F-D, they are pretty agreeable mandolins-the sound is pretty okay and the playability was quite good, at least for my large size hands.
$500 for one in good shape--check the top as they are prone to sinkage--may seem like a lot if you are used to seeing them go for half of that. I think I got mine in the $125-50 range, but they were well under the radar. KZoo prices appear to have climbed a bit, so while this might not be a 'deal' it probably is a 'value'. You're not going to not like the mandolin.
Mick
Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
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'05 Cuisinart Toaster
'93 Chuck Taylor lowtops
'12 Stetson Open Road
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If as described and pictured it seems a fair price to me.... Less than a new Big-Muddy but with a whole lot more Mojo. If I had the extra cash I think I would consider it at that price. But I would hate to play it if in that good a condition.
Bart McNeil
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