Thrashed 3-pt. F2 on eBay

[mrmando]

It kind of hurts to look at this (http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Gibson-F-2-mandolin-guitar-needs-some-glue-all-orig_W0QQitemZ350123917696QQihZ022QQcategoryZ10179 QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262). I'm intrigued by the non-Orville label and the inlay that goes straight across the headstock rather than angled ... wouldn't those indicate a factory repair a few years after it was built (1908, judging from the SN)?

"Needs some glue" ... understatement of the day!

[markishandsome]

The constant use of the word "she" to describe the instrument is a little creepy at times.

Sorry no further insights!

[northfolk]

The reverse tailpiece cover is an interesting feature?????? What year did they implement that?????? Overall not a pretty site!!!!!! :mandosmiley:

[mrmando]

The reverse tailpiece cover is an interesting feature
That's the one problem on this mando I feel certain that I could fix.

[Eddie Sheehy]

I was talking to the wife about it and I think a spot of glue here and there and a lick of paint and she'll look real purty.... but I don't think I can do anything with the mando.....

[atetone]

Ah shucks, It would be just a pesky little side job to fix that up (if your name was Gail Hester).

[allenhopkins]

I'm intrigued by the non-Orville label and the inlay that goes straight across the headstock rather than angled ... wouldn't those indicate a factory repair a few years after it was built (1908, judging from the SN)?

My 3-point #6208 has the same slightly angled logo inlay as the one on eBay; mine does have the Orville Gibson label, however.

If this one goes for less than $800-1,000 I'd call it a bargain. The Handels are worth a bunch in themselves. Were I looking for another 3-point F-2, I'd snap it up at that price, get it in the hands of Ms. Hester or someone else with real restorative skills, and be prepared to spend serious buxx getting it into decent shape. Lotsa work involved, but the end product would be pretty special, IMHO.

[F5GRun]

A little set-up work and a new end pin and that baby will be good as new I tell ya! Im no expert, but it also looks like that screw in the heel needs a little tightening. :))

Good luck to the winner

[Jason Nagati]

I say save the tuner buttons and trash the rest. Two questions, one sarcastic, one serious:
Can't dust be wiped away before taking a picture for ebay?
Should a mandolin in that state still be strung?

[mrmando]

Should a mandolin in that state still be strung?
No, it's in Florida and mandolinists there aren't allowed to use strings.

Since there are no screws holding the tailpiece on, that homemade endpin is what's taking all the tension. Endpins are not supposed to be what holds the tailpiece onto the tailblock. It would be better for this mandolin not to bring it up to pitch ... you might never get it to pitch in this condition anyway. If I bought it, the first thing I'd do is get my cutters out and get rid of the strings.

[Joel Spaulding]

[QUOTE=mrmando;596443]No, it's in Florida and mandolinists there aren't allowed to use strings.
:))

In the words of Mike Edgerton, " Warn me next time before you do that"

I just spit ~o) on the computer!

Handels, nice. - wouldn't mind having a set "just because"

The remainder looks more like a wall hanger for this Mandolinist - the repairs might cost more than a decent, playable example from the same year (?)-
but I agree with Allen that if fixed it would be pretty special.

Have to keep an eye on this one.

:popcorn:

[jeff mercer]

Anyone got a realistic idea of what it would cost to get this into playable condition ? Are we talking $1,000 + ?..I kinda don't mind pretty beaten-up instruments, but from the comments so far, it seems this goes somewhat beyond "beaten up " to "wall-hanger". The Aussie $ vs. the US $ probably rules me out anyway, but God, I love the look of 3-point Gibsons..what do you all think it's worth in current condition ?

[danb]

Looks to me like the neck was grafted. Might not be the original head.

That'd cost *a lot* to make go again. For an F4 I'd say go for it- but the 3pt F2s from that range don't do an awful lot for me tonally

[TomTyrrell]

I wonder if there are any tongue depressors glued on the inside?

[OKMike]

Looks like a "SUPER" Distressed Model

lol

Mike

[Darryl Wolfe]

I started to make a thread on this...I'm too late. I love the "needs some glue"

[woodwizard]

That was just so sad to look at. Especially when I really love 3 pts.

[CES]

Martin, that just hurts to look at :(...

Allen, I always love your perspective on these things...I haven't sold an instrument yet, and only three or four of the ones I have are even worth keeping as beaters! Agree it would be awesome to see Gail or one of the other masters on here get hold of it, but I don't think I can be the one to spring for it right now...

[allenhopkins]

Well, price's up over $700, which is right around the top limit of what I'd pay. You're going to be well into four figures for restoration, and the finished product -- if you got a really immaculate job, looking "mint" -- would probably have market value somewhere between $2K and $3K. But wouldn't there also be a certain glow when you pulled out a "saved from the grave" century-old 3-point F-2, not just a wall hanger but a really playable mandolin? I really like my old 3-point, and have played it in performance, recording sessions, and just jams for the past 22 years. The one on eBay is pleading with someone to give it TLC and let it sing again...

And I remember what the late Eldon Stutzman said to me 30+ years ago -- he founded Stutzman's Guitar Center (http://www.stutzmansguitarcenter.com/) in Rochester, which his son Dave runs now: if someone walked into his store with the pieces of a Gibson "F" mandolin in a paper bag, he'd still buy it. Of course, back then there weren't the great alternative mandolins that are available now, but vintage F's are still the gold standard.

[jeff mercer]

Up over $800 now, so I'm well out of the race ! Thought it might stall at about $375, and I'd have a go, but nope !...still be watching, though..this is gonna be pretty interesting..

[mandolooter]

With Handels going for $400+ and the pineapple tailpiece which I was quoted a $200 dolla price on a while back when looking for one for my 06 A, I'd say the rest is worth $200. Its fixable.

[mrmando]

Well, the auction ended at $1,080 ... and apparently the deal fell through, because the instrument is now on Craig's List. Weird ... the guy had five bidders north of $800; you'd think if one flaked he could get a second-chance bid from one of the others.

[lenf12]

[QUOTE=mrmando;596443]No, it's in Florida and mandolinists there aren't allowed to use strings.

Well, I'm here in Florida with a bunch of stringless mandolins. No wonder they don't sound like much. :cool:Thanks for the insights, Martin. At least mine don't need any glue.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Michael Cameron]

Looks to me like the neck was grafted. Might not be the original head.
That'd cost *a lot* to make go again. For an F4 I'd say go for it- but the 3pt F2s from that range don't do an awful lot for me tonally

danb,was wondering about the 3-point that Dawg hung on the angel/used on an early album. Was that an F-3? Maybe he had the neck reset for more angle?
Would it be in the same "range" of that poor baby on ebay?

I always wanted a Gibson 3-pointer. Played a couple(with rotten strings). I've always heard the neck angle is quite shallow on the 3-point Gibsons (?)

TIA,
c