View Full Version : Bad taste restoration
Jim Garber
Dec-14-2007, 9:13am
Too bad... this Vinaccia bowlback (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130183110140) could have been a fine instrument with a tasteful restoration without refinishing and adding pearl. These workshops had skilled hands but they go too far.
That is why I try to outbid bidders like musicalparts who is one of the Taiwan Three. Not that they are evil, just misguided. Luckily they only pay low for these things.
OTOH they sometimes take instruments that are complete basket cases. Maybe I could convince them not to add their decorations.
brunello97
Dec-17-2007, 11:42pm
This is one of the more, uh, tasteful I've seen out of these 'restoration' shops. What do you suppose they use to make wood look so much like plastic? Who is the intended market for these?
I've found myself bidding on things I don't really need as well out of some idealistic effort to....
It really is quite a shame. I did write a note once to one of these guys (can't remember which one) expressing my concerns. I never heard a response back. Jim, perhaps you might have better luck.
Mick
MikeEdgerton
Dec-18-2007, 7:43am
I seriously doubt that these folks are being driven by any desire to preserve a piece of history. They are simply business people looking to turn over some merchandise. I doubt that anyone can talk them into a change of ways. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
brunello97
Dec-18-2007, 8:57am
I seriously doubt that these folks are being driven by any desire to preserve a piece of history. They are simply business people looking to turn over some merchandise. I doubt that anyone can talk them into a change of ways. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Well, Mike, the 'change of ways' might be a more faithful and less heavy-handed 'restoration' process, which might actually be a good business move--and make them more money.
That is, unless there is a market for $1000 plastic-coated 'allevi di Vinaccia' mandolins. I should watch the auctions a bit more closely (through knitted fingers) and see where the buyers are and for how much.
Mick
MikeEdgerton
Dec-18-2007, 9:02am
...the 'change of ways' might be a more faithful and less heavy-handed 'restoration' process, which might actually be a good business move--and make them more money...
That might be a better angle to pursue. If in fact they can make more money with less work then the motivation would be there.
Martin Jonas
Dec-19-2007, 3:29pm
Well, this one of course is not a Vinaccia at all: it's an Angara & d'Isanto. The seller has concentrated on the "allievo di Vinaccia" bit and in doing so has seriously misrepresented the instrument. $990 would be just about a realistic value for one of these if in top original condition.
Martin
brunello97
Dec-19-2007, 6:18pm
I think you are right, Martin, and doubt if this will sell at that price. But there must be some kind of market for these. Maybe the label is what gives it value to a certain buyer.
Keeping it in the family here is a "Joannes Vinaccio":
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Mandolin-by-Joannes-Vinaccio-Napoli-1769_W0QQitemZ230203574598QQihZ013QQcategoryZ359Q
QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Ma....iewItem</a>
Does anyone know if Tipaldi Bros. produced any mandolins out of their own shop or acted simply as middlemen for Italian work?
Mick