View Full Version : Gibson A-4 Snakehead
Goodin
Nov-03-2008, 12:01pm
Wow I don't think I have ever seen an A-4 snakehead...but here is one on Ebay. The seller seems to not know much about mandolins and doesn't give the age but it appears to be all original and Loar period. Arrowhead tuners. One is bent.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=200269218154
mrmando
Nov-03-2008, 12:11pm
A very good classical player of my acquaintance has ditched his very nice F4 for an A4 snakehead. They're quite lovely instruments.
woodwizard
Nov-03-2008, 12:47pm
Wow! that looks like a pretty nice one.
MikeEdgerton
Nov-03-2008, 12:57pm
I'd say the seller is guessing the shipping charges to Japan as well :)
mikeomando
Nov-04-2008, 11:37pm
What do you think this one is worth? What do you think it will sell for?
Goodin
Nov-04-2008, 11:38pm
16 hours to go and still at 4,150. I would say $5k. I would love to hear how it sounds...can anyone comment on the tone? Maybe say compared to an a2z or an a-1 snake?
UncleNorm
Nov-05-2008, 2:55am
I have an A-4 "snake," 6 numbers older than the one for sale. Tone is spectacular, full, rich and even..... at a whisper or all out. Warmer than an A2Z and an A "snake" I also have. If I had to take only one, it would definately be the A-4.
bones12
Nov-05-2008, 7:54pm
My A 4 snakehead (ca 1923) has always been spectacular. It is beautiful, fun to play and the sound is always spot on -- more like a two seater sports car than my F4s. The "balance" over the shoulder just feels right. Doug in Vermont
sgarrity
Nov-05-2008, 10:20pm
Well would ya look who bought it?!? (nope, not me) I'm sure it'll be for sale for about $7k here in the next week or two..... :popcorn:
woodwizard
Nov-05-2008, 10:38pm
I do really like that A4 snake. It reminds me of the first Lore A5 but it's an oval hole. Sort of the same appointments colorwise and peghead inlay etc... That would be nice to own.
Goodin
Nov-06-2008, 9:09am
sgarrity - who bought it? wow it went alot cheaper than I expected. I would have bid on it had I thought it would sell for that cheap.
gibson mandoman
Nov-06-2008, 9:30am
sgarrity - who bought it? wow it went alot cheaper than I expected. I would have bid on it had I thought it would sell for that cheap.
Looks like Mitch Simpson bought it.
atetone
Nov-06-2008, 10:07am
So what is the going rate on one of these nowadays?
sgarrity
Nov-06-2008, 10:12am
I think they're worth $6500-7500 depending on condition
atetone
Nov-06-2008, 9:35pm
Thanks Shaun, that is quite a bit isn't it.
I have one and was curious as to the value these days.
Goodin
Nov-16-2008, 11:52pm
This mandolin is back up on ebay again due to a "dishonest buyer"! Looks like this Mitch Simpson or universal-chevy is not trustworthy. If you look at his feedback, eventhough it is all technically positive...most of the recent comments are negative. This guy made an offer on a mandolin I had for sale lately and I did not accept the offer due to the bad feedback comments. So who is this guy? Is it the same guy as Simpson's Fine Instruments or whatever? Sounds fishy.
Bill Snyder
Nov-17-2008, 7:54pm
There are several threads on instruments sold by Mitch Simpson under different ebay seller id's. Some people blast him. Several people on the cafe have had good dealings with him and know him personally and defend him.
IIf I had the kind of money it takes to bid on his auctions I might give one a shot.