Tracy Ballinger
Jan-29-2007, 9:45pm
I ran across one of these the other day at an antique store. I did NOT buy it because it has issues! They were asking $130 for it, and (from my 3 minute inspection before they closed for the night)if I correctly recall all the problems: separation of ribs in 2 places; ribs separating at neck joint; crack in fingerboard and extending into soundboard to soundhole; 3 small pieces of wedge-shaped inlay missing around soundhole... I think one or maybe two ribs may have been cracked...I think that's all. Not a lot of deep chips and dings, although it looked like it may have been 'refinished'; i.e., one could see where sections of the finish were missing, yet there was finish on top of it. (Ya know what I mean?) One could also see some crazing in parts of the finish. It had the original Edison stamped tailpiece. SOMEWHERE, I have seen a picture of a bowlback that has an identical pickguard... spread-winged inlaid eagle on tortoise shell. That part of it was in great shape.
Now, my question is this: How much (ballpark) would it cost to bring this mandolin back to life, and/or would it be worth it?? I can find ABSOLUTELY no information on Edison mandolins. (Maybe I'm even remembering the maker wrong, I dunno! But I don't think so. I started with an E and I know it wasn't Epiphone!)
Thanks for any help you can provide!
Tracy
Now, my question is this: How much (ballpark) would it cost to bring this mandolin back to life, and/or would it be worth it?? I can find ABSOLUTELY no information on Edison mandolins. (Maybe I'm even remembering the maker wrong, I dunno! But I don't think so. I started with an E and I know it wasn't Epiphone!)
Thanks for any help you can provide!
Tracy