Stevo75
Jan-19-2016, 12:24pm
I'm trying to figure out what this instrument is worth and the history of Epiphone mandolins so I know why mine is different from the same model that is available new.
See the pics below. I have an F style Epiphone model number MM 50 and Serial # 96080020. It says "100% Inspected and Set-up in the USA by Epiphone 26". The truss rod access cover says Gibson on it (although I suppose that may not be original - it is as far as I am aware). I have a hard shell case with the epiphone logo on it.
I bought it from a guy I used to work with who now works at Planet Bluegrass (Rockygrass in Lyons Colorado). He knows his instruments and I trust him. I paid $600 for it back in maybe 2003 or 2004 or so. I think he was the original owner and I think he said he paid $800 for it but I can't remember. I'm also not sure how long he owned it.
If you look up a model MM50 now, you'll see they cost about $500 new. Actually, they may not be available anymore but I know they were sold recently for around $500+. I was thinking of selling mine and when I looked that up I thought maybe I got ripped off. But then a used MM 50 came up on craigs list that was a few years old. I went and played it and it was a totally different instrument. It felt cheap and sounded like a very entry level instrument. The weight felt different and the sound was completely different. I'm not saying mine sounds like a Collings or anything, but it sounds very good for an entry level instrument. Maybe close to an Eastman but not as good as one of the good Eastmans (some sound better than others).
Note the fretboard inlays in the pictures. The more recent ones do not have these (have the dots instread).
Does anyone know anything about this? Did these used to be made in a different location and to a different standard in the past? I think Epiphone used to be made by Gibson or something along those lines.
If I sell this I want to be able to explain that this is different from a more recent model MM 50 and should be priced as such.
142808
142809
142810
See the pics below. I have an F style Epiphone model number MM 50 and Serial # 96080020. It says "100% Inspected and Set-up in the USA by Epiphone 26". The truss rod access cover says Gibson on it (although I suppose that may not be original - it is as far as I am aware). I have a hard shell case with the epiphone logo on it.
I bought it from a guy I used to work with who now works at Planet Bluegrass (Rockygrass in Lyons Colorado). He knows his instruments and I trust him. I paid $600 for it back in maybe 2003 or 2004 or so. I think he was the original owner and I think he said he paid $800 for it but I can't remember. I'm also not sure how long he owned it.
If you look up a model MM50 now, you'll see they cost about $500 new. Actually, they may not be available anymore but I know they were sold recently for around $500+. I was thinking of selling mine and when I looked that up I thought maybe I got ripped off. But then a used MM 50 came up on craigs list that was a few years old. I went and played it and it was a totally different instrument. It felt cheap and sounded like a very entry level instrument. The weight felt different and the sound was completely different. I'm not saying mine sounds like a Collings or anything, but it sounds very good for an entry level instrument. Maybe close to an Eastman but not as good as one of the good Eastmans (some sound better than others).
Note the fretboard inlays in the pictures. The more recent ones do not have these (have the dots instread).
Does anyone know anything about this? Did these used to be made in a different location and to a different standard in the past? I think Epiphone used to be made by Gibson or something along those lines.
If I sell this I want to be able to explain that this is different from a more recent model MM 50 and should be priced as such.
142808
142809
142810