crigslist vintage deal or bust ?.

[mandolin tony]

saw this on craigslist. vintage Gibson A style mandolin. owner says it was made in 1917. he also says it has no issues, no cracks or breaks. the inside label # reads, 67822 ?. the last 2 was very faint. looks clean is this a good deal with a case.

[allenhopkins]

Post a link to the Craigslist listing. Can't evaluate the mandolin without seeing the pics. Can't determine a "good deal" if you don't tell us the asking price. Quick reference check would assign Serial #6782? to 1921, not 1917.

[mandolin tony]

Allen I am very sorry to say I have no clue how to do that. but here is the post id # 6452958074. the mandolin location is Brooklyn N.Y., sorry to say I am analog man.

[John Rosett]

The bridge is a replacement, so i'd like to see a side view to see if there's any top sinkage. Other than that, it looks really nice, and the price is good too. I had one just like it that I sold for $1200 a few years ago.
Here's the link: https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/m...452958074.html

[mandolin tony]

thanks John, I should ask him for a side view picture of the mandolin. he said it was made in 1917 does that seem about right.

[rcc56]

Sheraton brown did not come in until about 1919. Truss rods start to appear 2 or 3 years later.

Serial #67822 corresponds to 1922 in Spann's list, or 1921 in Gruhn's old list.
Since Joe Spann is working at Gruhn's now and George Gruhn is now using Spann's list as his shop reference, let's call it 1922.

Appears to be original [as far as I can tell from pictures] except the bridge, the missing pickguard, and perhaps the nut. The price sounds quite reasonable to me.

[mrmando]

Not exactly a runaway steal, but will hold its value at that price. Are you able to go see it in person?

[mrmando]

I had one just like it that I sold for $1200 a few years ago.

The one you got from me? I didn't charge you that much for it, did I?

[mandolin tony]

good morning Martin, yes I could see it in person. I live in Queens & he lives in Brooklyn., so no big deal except for parking were he lives & I don't know him. I think if I am going to look at this mandolin we are going to have to meet some were I feel safe like a bank with a lot of cameras.

[Timbofood]

Neutral territory is not a bad idea, I’d have someone come along just for a little feeling of extra security.
Meeting at a bank or a hotel lobby even a diner would be better than heading up a proverbial “dark alley”.

[John Rosett]

The one you got from me? I didn't charge you that much for it, did I?

True, but I spent quite a bit on it while I had it. Fret job, new tuners, etc.

[mandolin tony]

I have a question for you guys. the neck profile on this old gibby, how does it compare to my Kentucky 805 & my Eastman 305. is it much fatter ?. I kind of like the neck on my Eastman nice & slim.

[allenhopkins]

Tony, the neck will be significantly "beefier" than your Kentucky or Eastman. Before Gibson adopted the adjustable truss rod in the mid-1920's, they made their necks larger -- especially deeper -- to offset string tension. Your modern instruments have truss rods to correct for any neck warp caused by the pull of the strings, therefore, slimmer necks.

As to posting the URL for the CraigsList ad, just copy it from your browser, then use the round blue "link" icon above; paste it into the box that shows up, and click "OK."

This is what you get: https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/m...452958074.html

I'm as "analog" as you are, but this is a pretty simple procedure.

[mandolin tony]

thanks Allen, I think this mandolin is not for me. also thanks for helping a fellow analog man how to copy & post. I think I will go with an Eastman MD-304 or the 404.

[pops1]

Tony, some of the older Gibsons were not as beefy as others. The nut on an '18 I had was 1 1/8", my '22 is 1 1/4" and beefer neck even with the truss rod. The sound is far superior so if it is not too far away play it an you may find you get used to it and like it.

[mrmando]

True, but I spent quite a bit on it while I had it. Fret job, new tuners, etc.

Oh, I was hoping perhaps you made some money on the deal, but maybe not.