1997 Rattlesnake A Style

[Danarene]

I have a 1997 Rattlesnake A Style number 008. It is not being played and I'd like to sell it. Does anyone have any idea what I should sell it for?

[Mandoplumb]

I have no idea what you should sell it for, I thought you was supposed to just buy more.

[Fr. White]

I think donating it to a brand new player would be the greatest thing you could do with it....let me see if I happen to know a brand new player...:whistling:

[Jim Garber]

First of all, figure out what you paid for it. Did you buy it used and, if so, how long ago.

You may have to do some ground work and some guess work. A quick search gives me Olin Davis' site which he says he sells his F5's for $6500. He does not mention his A's -- maybe he doesn't make them any more?

Generally, handmade A's go for anywhere from $1500 and up settling in the $2000-3000 range for respected luthiers and $4000 and way up for the upper echelon. I don't know where Rattlesnake is in this range.

Do some searching...

For instance, this F5 (http://www.banjohangout.org/classified/12424) sold for $3650 on the Banjo Hangout.

[Danarene]

Thanks. I bought it new in 1997. I looked at the website and what he makes now is not at all what this mandolin is like. I bought it because I play the fiddle and thought I could easily pick up the mandolin. Didn't happen. He had just started out and my fiddle teacher suggested I buy one because it was of good quality and low price. I know I didn't pay more than $300 for it.


First of all, figure out what you paid for it. Did you buy it used and, if so, how long ago.

You may have to do some ground work and some guess work. A quick search gives me Olin Davis' site which he says he sells his F5's for $6500. He does not mention his A's -- maybe he doesn't make them any more?

Generally, handmade A's go for anywhere from $1500 and up settling in the $2000-3000 range for respected luthiers and $4000 and way up for the upper echelon. I don't know where Rattlesnake is in this range.

Do some searching...

For instance, this F5 (http://www.banjohangout.org/classified/12424) sold for $3650 on the Banjo Hangout.

[Charles Andre]

Sounds like a good candidate for a "$XXXX OBO" classified ad to determine a market price. Jim's pricing logic looks pretty sound as to determining a starting price.

[sgrexa]

If you paid less than $300 for it new from Olin Davis in the late 90s you either got a really good deal or that might even be a flat top mandolin. Are you sure this is an F hole, arched top A5 or A4 style mandolin?

Sean

[Jim Garber]

I agree with Sean. I wonder that too. Since Olin's price for an F5 is in line with many current makers, I would not think he would sell a carved top A for that little in the 1990s.

Here is one other possibility. Contact Olin. Sometimes builders like to see their work years later and in addition might even have people contacting him who might want one of his without having to wait. Maybe he could even sell it for you on consignment.

[lenf12]

Some pictures would be most helpful...just remember to keep it within posting guidelines ;)

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Danarene]

It is a flat top. I will post to Olin and see what he says.

[MikeEdgerton]

This will be a different brand but does it look like this?

[Michael Weaver]

Or does it look exactly like this? If it does I will give you double what you paid.

120540

[Danarene]

Nowhere near that fancy. Here is a picture120762120763

[Russ Donahue]

Looking forward to seeing this show up in the classifieds....

[MikeEdgerton]

That is real early. Price wise you might be able to get what you paid for it. Maybe a little more if you find a crazed collector. Everybody has to start someplace and that apparently was the start.