Check this out

[Moose]

Just followed a post on "[BluegrasRules.com]" re: selling/auctioning on E-BAY a pre-war D-45 Martin! - Appears to be "legit" - current bid (2/21/06/12:00p.m.) is $204K+++. Not mando related but I thought it makes for good "conversation" - any bidders....!!?? - Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Darryl Wolfe]

Several of us have been following that. It is legit, except for "punkin" running the bid up everytime a new legit bidder joins in.

[fatt-dad]

It's funny to me that the bidding is in $100.00 increments when the bid is up to $204,000.00. That would be like dime increments on a $200 mandolin.

fatt too-rich-for-my-blood dad

[Jim Garber]

How about a link to the auction? We all like to be entertained.

Jim

[glauber]

"Reserve not met" at 204K. Probably shooting for $350K or half million. Why not?

link for Jim (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7390877541) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Moose]

Thank you, glauber! - sorry I didn't post the "link" - http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sleepy.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Joe Singleton]

Have to say the "punk" does seem to be bidding just to max out the new bidders. But why be skeptical, this fine ebayer has purchased many lavish items before in the 5 - 20 dollar range! Good luck to the next bidder. BTW, why does anyone bid on such things with so much time left in the auction. It only drives the price up and gives potential(alleged only) shills time to punk, oh, I mean pump up the price.- greedy greed greed greed
It will be on heck of a final value fee if an attempt to find the ceiling punches thru-

[Coy Wylie]

I think this is the same guitar that was bought for 229K a couple of weeks ago. The deal must have fell through.

[Darryl Wolfe]

BlueGT...I noticed "punk"s purchases, perfume, and bath products. #A sure fire Investment grade guitar fan.

[ShaneJ]

Was punk the winning bidder last time?

[mrbook]

Look at the five pages of other stuff the seller is listing. Nothing in the same class.

[Joe Singleton]

The sweet smelling bidder was not the winner last time.. I asked the seller why the guitar didn't sell last time and to their credit they answered quickly(they must be flooded with Q's) , but all I got was that the buyer was an agent for another and quote"made a mistake about the guitar" whatever that means. And yes I do like to sprinkle toilet products on all my guitar, who doesn't..... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Jim Garber]

The current high bidder seems more interested in cross-bows. At least they have strings...

Jim

[glauber]

Maybe it was a secret agent, last time. Or a provocateur, from the Mandolin Liberation Army.

When i see something with a story like this, my first thought is, it probably didn't get played much because it wasn't very good. But who knows? It does look pretty.

I love the Q&A:

"Hello, my name is Johnny. Do you deliver to Texas?"
"Hello, how big is your airport? Can I land my private jet there?"
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Darryl Wolfe]

If you read his notes, he took it to Dave Musselwhite and Fred Oster. You can't get much better than their opinions on Martins.

[Moose]

....and the beat goes on... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[glauber]

If you read his notes, he took it to Dave Musselwhite and Fred Oster. You can't get much better than their opinions on Martins.
Yes, that was added after i posted. They both attest that the guitar is all original except for the tuners. Oster adds it needs a neck reset and a few other small repairs.

[Darryl Wolfe]

reserve just met. I thought it was $225k, but no it was $230k

[Moose]

Wow! - Maybe the buyer knows of this CAFE ; sure would like to know more! - Don't mean to hijack this interesting thread, but, Hey Darryl.., being a guitar player I often wonder 'bout those pre-war D45's. Can you offer any info on how many!??...,who owns 'em!??...,etc. I believe Wilma Lee has one, as did Red Smiley ; also heard Carter Stanley has/had one... ; e-mail me off-line if this question is off-mando CAFE topic( say..,Scott!??) - Thanks Darryl -or anyone, who cares to comment on what I believe is an IMPORTANT part of Bluegrass and it's instruments. Thanks in advance. Moose [richardw@udel.edu] http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[fatt-dad]

Moose, et. al., According to the ebay listing the pre-war D-45 is one of 71 known in existance and 91 to have been manufactured.

fatt can't-quite-believe-the-cost-of-that-guitar dad

[Moose]

Thanks buddy! - I had heard the "91" figure but my "source" - I figured - was not too knowledgible or credible. Guess I understimated the guy!## - Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[danmills]

So I wonder, if the buyer takes this thing to Frank Ford or his equal and has all the repairs done (cracks, neck set, maybe other stuff), will that reduce its value? I hope not. If I bought it, I could never resist having it put into prime playable condition.

Dan (who's lately been neglecting his mando to play a lot of guitar)

[Moose]

YeaH buddy!! - then take it to the next jam session - in the field - under the tent.., by that RV.. ; "Ups!!#.., sorry I spilled my beer on your guitar fella' ; here..,let me wipe it off for ya'.." B-A-N-G -!!### - O'..,Man..., I think he's DEAD!!## - hee... hee.. - Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[mandopete]

US $235,100.00

Hurry, only 40 minutes left! At this price it makes a Loar look like a bargain.

[Jim M.]

Someone sniped it at about 3 seconds to go for $255,100

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/One-Owner-1942-Vintage-Martin-D-45-Guitar_W0QQitemZ7390877541QQcategoryZ33028QQssPage NameZ

WDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Expensive</a>

[jim simpson]

Yes, hennythehammer with a feedback score of 4. Wonder if this one will take? U

[sgarrity]

If there are about 250 Loars out there and the sell for about $150,000+, is $255,000 really off base for this D-45? It is the Martin flagship and there are only 71 known to still exist?

Shaun

[Bob Sayers]

When I was a kid growing up in Chicago, I used to spend Saturday mornings at the Old Town School of Folk Music. One of my heroes at the time, an oldtime banjo and guitar player named Fleming Brown, had an original D-45. Coming out of a blues guitar class one day, Fleming had his prize guitar slung upside down across his back. Just as he was heading downstairs, the strap slipped off the endpin and the guitar went clattering down the stairs ending up on the landing below. When Fleming went to retrieve it, he discovered a big hole punched in the top plate. It's still burnt into my memory. One of the sickest things I ever saw.

Bob

[Moose]

Without a doubt...., I'd 'a PUKED!!### http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif