Did Givens build any oval hole mandolins?

**Don Grieser** · Jul-02-2012, 10:56am

Well, it does have a Givens tailpiece cover.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-GIVE...ace4fc&vxp=mtr

**Jim Garber** · Jul-02-2012, 11:00am

Wow... I didn't know that Givens made mandolins back in 1962. Givens Bio

**sgarrity** · Jul-02-2012, 11:14am

Looks like an Ode that someone slapped a Givens tailpiece on.

**ioper8** · Jul-02-2012, 10:27pm

I'm a big fan of Givens' mandolins but thought that this was a bit too good to be true. Has anyone thought of contacting his heir apparent and maker of Givens Legacy Instruments to ask his opinion?

**barney 59** · Jul-03-2012, 4:40pm

I've seen Givens tailpieces on a couple of Odes before. They always had a "Ode" decal on the headstock though. If that is indeed as early as '62 then it predates Ode. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Bob built an oval holed mandolin(s), especially early on when he was still working it out. Maybe Steve Weill (Givens Legacy) knows something but came along nearer the end than the beginning. If you really wanted to find something out about early Givens' Randy Wood or Tut Taylor might know something and they would certainly know if Ode produced any oval holed mandolins.

He says that you can go see it but he also wants payment the scary way. I would want to see it anyway. $2500 is far too much to pay for an Ode and as an oddity collectors item it is really only valuable to a Givens fan and might be an early experiment, it would definitely be something that you would want to play before you buy. This mandolin would also predate Givens having hands on experience with the "Mrs. Griffith" which greatly influenced his mandolins after that. Was the woman that bought it 80 when she bought it (which is how it reads) or is she 80 now?

**John McCoy** · Jul-03-2012, 5:20pm

It is kind of bizarre, even for eBazaar. It's not just that

Originally Posted by barney 59

...He says that you can go see it but he also wants payment the scary way....

But the item category tree is "eBay Motors > Parts & Accessories > Vintage Car & Truck Parts > Engines & Components > Engine Bearings"

Why would anyone who wants his mandolin found by mandolin-buying mandolin aficionados list it as an engine bearing?

**dore48** · Jul-03-2012, 6:59pm

Hello,I sell my instruments in the engine part category listings as that is the only place left that does not require payment by Paypal,which I will never take.. I expect to sell this instrument in the bay area to someone who can inspect and play it... I am really using ebay for its advertising power so more people like you will see it.... You are ,of course,welcome to bid........p.s. I also sell British engine bearings: Let me know your requirements. dore48.... 415-203-2397

**John McCoy** · Jul-09-2012, 3:41pm

Originally Posted by dore48

Hello,I sell my instruments in the engine part category listings as that is the only place left that does not require payment by Paypal,which I will never take

That seems like a good reason. It's also surprising: PayPal is required elsewhere? Wow.

**MikeEdgerton** · Jul-09-2012, 8:50pm

Originally Posted by John McCoy

It's also surprising: PayPal is required elsewhere? Wow.

Well, as eBay owns Paypal I understand that but I don't recall it being required, I thought it was an option you could select the last time I listed anything (a few days ago).