Help with Approximate Value...

pbabasin · 11-05-2009, 02:55 PM

I recently purchased a very unique instrument and am interested in establishing an approximate value. I'm sure a lot of you probably saw it on ebay, but I will attempt to describe. I'm not going to post a picture because it is apparently a early to mid seventies Gibson "Tribute" mandolin (i.e. fake).

By all detail appearances it is an Ibanez 524 with the buffed violin style finish. Beautifully and obviously handcarved with recurve and eased F-holes. One piece back with slight but pretty figuring. Plays great with very loud and rich tone and ornate MOP inlay on the fingerboard (similar to Gibson of the period, or of course, Ibanez). No labels or stamps but a well done Gibson headstock. The headstock was done very well, it looks very original, but obviously can't be.

I actually spoke with the original (not the guy I bought it from) owner at length and he told me that when he bought it new, it was not an Ibanez but a limited edition hand made mandolin from Japan (only 6 made) but all the appointments, shape, scroll, neck inlay and back detailing (back crease and heal) is exactly like the Ibanez photos at the Ibanez website. He had many alterations done by respected luthiers including at one point having the headstock done and he proceeded to play it for 20 years touring... I really like it a lot (it sounds so good!) and will probably never sell so it's priceless to me, but I'm looking for an educated guess as too value. This is about as close to a classic Gibson as I will every come LOL...

Thanks and please be kind..... Perry

lenf12 · 11-05-2009, 03:37 PM

Oh, go ahead and post a photo. I used to own an 1977 or 78 Ibenez 524 and paid well under $1K. That would be a good starting point for value. Depending on the type and quality of work done since it was manufactured, it could be worth a bit more; perhaps $1K to $1.5K especially if it sounds as good as you say. It's hard to tell without some detailed photos and a good description of the work performed.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

pbabasin · 11-05-2009, 04:31 PM

I have read elsewhere on this site that you shouldn't, or can't, post pictures of Gibson "Reproductions" - ahem -

Perry

pbabasin · 11-05-2009, 06:39 PM

A couple of shots...

pbabasin · 11-05-2009, 06:39 PM

MikeEdgerton · 11-05-2009, 10:02 PM

It doesn't look a whole lot like a Gibson by the way. The scroll is a dead giveaway. For what it's worth there's an entire thread of fake Gibson's here. You can call it a tribute but it's really just a fake Gibson. You can post a picture of the headstock.

Fretbear · 11-05-2009, 10:49 PM

The slightly elongated scroll gives it a bit of an (unintentional) Monte Grand Artist (Dawg) space.
There is a virtuoso mandolinist from Canada named Randy Hill who played and recorded with one of these for years before he got his Apitius.

Bill Snyder · 11-06-2009, 11:50 PM

This is not necessarily bad but I do not think many people are going to mistake that for a Gibson.
If it does not say Gibson on it it is not a fake Gibson anyway. Most F-5's resemble a Gibson.

devilsbox · 11-07-2009, 10:45 AM

I'm guessing that it does say Gibson on the peghead? A nice looking mando, with an interesting story. As previously stated, most would not mistake it for a true Gibson. Hard to put a set value on. Just play it and enjoy it, the value will be whatever you can get for it if and when you decide to sell it.

11-05-2009, 02:55 PM	#1
pbabasin Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 60	Help with Approximate Value... I recently purchased a very unique instrument and am interested in establishing an approximate value. I'm sure a lot of you probably saw it on ebay, but I will attempt to describe. I'm not going to post a picture because it is apparently a early to mid seventies Gibson "Tribute" mandolin (i.e. fake). By all detail appearances it is an Ibanez 524 with the buffed violin style finish. Beautifully and obviously handcarved with recurve and eased F-holes. One piece back with slight but pretty figuring. Plays great with very loud and rich tone and ornate MOP inlay on the fingerboard (similar to Gibson of the period, or of course, Ibanez). No labels or stamps but a well done Gibson headstock. The headstock was done very well, it looks very original, but obviously can't be. I actually spoke with the original (not the guy I bought it from) owner at length and he told me that when he bought it new, it was not an Ibanez but a limited edition hand made mandolin from Japan (only 6 made) but all the appointments, shape, scroll, neck inlay and back detailing (back crease and heal) is exactly like the Ibanez photos at the Ibanez website. He had many alterations done by respected luthiers including at one point having the headstock done and he proceeded to play it for 20 years touring... I really like it a lot (it sounds so good!) and will probably never sell so it's priceless to me, but I'm looking for an educated guess as too value. This is about as close to a classic Gibson as I will every come LOL... Thanks and please be kind..... Perry

11-05-2009, 03:37 PM	#2
lenf12 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 358	Re: Help with Approximate Value... Oh, go ahead and post a photo. I used to own an 1977 or 78 Ibenez 524 and paid well under $1K. That would be a good starting point for value. Depending on the type and quality of work done since it was manufactured, it could be worth a bit more; perhaps $1K to $1.5K especially if it sounds as good as you say. It's hard to tell without some detailed photos and a good description of the work performed. Len B. Clearwater, FL

11-05-2009, 04:31 PM	#3
pbabasin Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 60	Re: Help with Approximate Value... I have read elsewhere on this site that you shouldn't, or can't, post pictures of Gibson "Reproductions" - ahem - Perry

11-05-2009, 06:39 PM	#4
pbabasin Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 60	Re: Help with Approximate Value... A couple of shots...

11-05-2009, 06:39 PM	#5
pbabasin Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 60	Re: Help with Approximate Value...

11-05-2009, 10:02 PM	#6
MikeEdgerton Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 8,015	Re: Help with Approximate Value... It doesn't look a whole lot like a Gibson by the way. The scroll is a dead giveaway. For what it's worth there's an entire thread of fake Gibson's here. You can call it a tribute but it's really just a fake Gibson. You can post a picture of the headstock.

11-05-2009, 10:49 PM	#7
Fretbear Ursus Mandolinus Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,540	Re: Help with Approximate Value... The slightly elongated scroll gives it a bit of an (unintentional) Monte Grand Artist (Dawg) space. There is a virtuoso mandolinist from Canada named Randy Hill who played and recorded with one of these for years before he got his Apitius. __________________ http://scottlearmonth.tripod.com

11-06-2009, 11:50 PM	#8
Bill Snyder Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Central TX Posts: 4,040	Re: Help with Approximate Value... This is not necessarily bad but I do not think many people are going to mistake that for a Gibson. If it does not say Gibson on it it is not a fake Gibson anyway. Most F-5's resemble a Gibson.

11-07-2009, 10:45 AM	#9
devilsbox Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: massachusetts Posts: 96	Re: Help with Approximate Value... I'm guessing that it does say Gibson on the peghead? A nice looking mando, with an interesting story. As previously stated, most would not mistake it for a true Gibson. Hard to put a set value on. Just play it and enjoy it, the value will be whatever you can get for it if and when you decide to sell it.