Old flat top mandolin on local classifieds [Archive]

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BiscoMando

Jun-09-2008, 3:50pm

Is this a good deal? could I sell this mandolin for any more than the $160 being asked? there is no other info on the ad, other than it's old, and the guy doesn't know the brand. interesting back, nonetheless.

BiscoMando

Jun-09-2008, 3:51pm

the back...

BiscoMando

Jun-09-2008, 3:53pm

i should add, i have no interest in playing this mandolin, and don't collect vintage instruments, but if it's worth something, i would love to be the person who puts it in the hands of someone who wants it. (for a little more than $160 i would hope)

MikeEdgerton

Jun-09-2008, 4:40pm

$160.00 would be maybe 5 to 6 times more than it would sell for on that well known auction site.

MikeEdgerton

Jun-09-2008, 4:53pm

allenhopkins

Jun-09-2008, 5:55pm

Could I sell this mandolin for any more than the $160 being asked? #
You could if you found the right buyer. What it's "worth" depends on what one would pay for it. Looks like an undistinguished European (German) mandolin. As Mike points out, similar ones get sold regularly for less money. On the other hand, $160 is a pretty low price for a playable instrument. I wouldn't look on this as a major "flip," though.

Eddie Sheehy

Jun-09-2008, 6:11pm

If you got it for $50 you might be able to flip for $60 - if you were willing to hold on to it for a while.....

MikeEdgerton

Jun-09-2008, 6:17pm

If you got it for $50 you might be able to flip for $60 - if you were willing to hold on to it for a while.....
OK, warn me next time before you do that.

JeffD

Jun-09-2008, 7:55pm

I was able to find this one, a little more desireable than the one in your classifieds. It went for $41.00.

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Beautiful-Antique-Germany-Mandolin-Penzel-19th_W0QQitemZ150253121794QQihZ005QQcategoryZ359

QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Closed auction</a>
So, how did it sound? What are these kinds of mandolins capable of? If set up properly can they sing out, or are we talking thunkity thunk thunk all the way down?

BiscoMando

Jun-10-2008, 6:10am

meh, i'm not going to bother. thanks folks!

Oliver R

Jun-10-2008, 7:05am

I actually have one of these someone gave me lurking in a corner of a room someplace..
Eastern European?
When set up with light gauge strings and a bit of tinkering they sound ok in a celtic/old timey way.
Not loud but quite sweet sounding, solid top, plays in tune all the way up the neck with a decent action, not so good tuners.
It's an ok beginners mando (better quality than the really cheap asian mandos IMO)
I would perhaps pay 60-80 quid (whatever that converts to) brand new for one.

BiscoMando

Jun-10-2008, 7:43am

well, if someone lives in or around Halifax NS Canada and is looking for a mandolin for celtic (that's all it seems anyone plays around here, anyways) then pick this thing up from kijiji. I'm a bluegrass guy myself, so i'm looking for punch and volume.

.......and that's all that need be said about this thread. thanks for chiming in, folks!

Chip Booth

Jun-10-2008, 11:18pm

I think it looks like fun!

Chip

BiscoMando

Jun-10-2008, 11:22pm

i think i'll have a look at it just to try it. i really have no intention of buying it, but i'll report back on how it played/sounded/tuned.

allenhopkins

Jun-11-2008, 3:10pm

Betcha end up buying it! How many times have I said, "I'll just go have a look at it; I'm not gonna buy it," and then...

MikeEdgerton

Jun-11-2008, 3:11pm

A similar one on that grand old auction site just failed to make it's $50.00 starting bid.