Caution on this EBAY F2. deception going on.

[atetone]

Watch out for this one. Ebay listing #280666659233
The seller is hiding the fact that the neck was reset and has a visible neck crack which seems to have re-occurred.
He listed this mandolin with a "Buy-it Now" one day for $2500 with a picture of the neck joint and crack but then de-listed it and re-listed it the next day minus the picture of the neck problems.
Additionally he is using a new Ebay account (his girlfriends) to hide the fact that he has bad feedback for slimey past transactions.
He is trying to deceive bidders with the new listing probably because he got too many questions about the neck heel picture.
If the price is right it still might be a decent buy but be careful how much you are willing to pay with this hidden problem.

[Darryl Wolfe]

I looked at that and said the same without knowing those details

[atetone]

Darryl, I imagine your first clue was the butchering of the fretboard extension.
I am trying to upload a copy of the missing neck heel picture (which I saved)71363 but I am having trouble uploading it.

Ok, there it is. You can see that the neck to back joint has been apart and roughly put back together and a couple of inches above that is the neck crack.

This is what he didn't want you to see.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Yes I think that picture was there when I looked at it. The fingerboard may be replaced or at least the binding was poorly replaced and poorly refretted. Note no holes for pickguard


Edit: FB is replaced. 12th fret dots too close together

[mrmando]

Original ad (http://cgi.ebay.com/1915-Gibson-F-2-F2-mandolin-inlaid-tuners-NICE-/280665963336?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4158febb48) (with neck joint picture)

New ad (http://cgi.ebay.com/1915-Gibson-F-2-F2-mandolin-inlaid-tuners-NICE-/280666659233?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41590959a1) (minus neck joint picture, but still has telltale photo of the pickguard extension)

Thanks, guys!

[JeffD]

The marks around the fretboard extension on the top of the sound hole, something is up.

Darn. Because I think F2s are beautiful.

[atetone]

Yup,,, it is unfortunate that this slimey seller is going to suck someone in on this deal.
It is an obvious intent to withhold pertinent information in order to get a higher price.

Even worse,,, he intentionally re-listed in order to get rid of the damning picture.
This guy is low.

[mrmando]

Well, here is another F2 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Gibson-1915-F-2-Mandolin-Martin-Strings-see-ad-/260770486667?_trksid=p4340.m1374&_trkparms=algo%3DPI%26its%3DC%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D 5%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8755730801309831243) that has been to the butcher shop, and it's almost at $2K with less than an hour to go. No deception in this ad, however.

So it's not a given that the guy in Pittsburgh will get more money than his mandolin is worth, although whatever he gets will be more than he deserves.

[atetone]

Yes Martin that one that you posted sure is in bad shape, but the seller is not hiding anything.
I fail to understand some of the prices that get bid on Ebay sometimes.
That basically destroyed F2 looks like it is going to go for over $2000.
I just don't get it.
Someone must really be in need of a project to keep themselves busy for quite some time.

[Matteo]

I was about to fall for that, guys. Thanks :)

[mrmando]

Same mando is on the Pittsburgh Craigslist (http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/msg/2345535442.html). Ad there doesn't even mention the busted headstock scroll, and the photo angles conceal it.

[Darryl Wolfe]

I looked at that other one too and did not understand it. Yes the tuners and case and such are valuable but the mandolin will never be right