Arnold Cross Birdseye mandolin on Nashville CL

[jhammond]

F Model Mandolin Bird's Eye Maple
http://nashville.craigslist.org/msg/5664574329.html

Arnold Cross mandolin direct from the builder on Craigslist. I can testify to the quality of Arn's mandolins. I own one and have spent a good bit of time in his workshop. I have played at least 8 of his mandolins. You can see pics of mine on my profile.

I have no benefit financially or otherwise in this posting. Just a chance to share a great relatively unknown builder. Arn does not advertise much or post many for sale himself.

[Roger Moss]

Beautiful. I love that honey amber color. How much is it worth?

[houseworker]

Looks wonderful.

[Jim Garber]

Interesting.... no price.

[Jeff Mando]

Arnold Cross mandolin direct from the builder on Craigslist.

Seems very nice, but CL seems a strange place for a builder to market a handmade instrument.

[houseworker]

Anyone wanting that mandolin will likely also want a copy of the maker's memoir: https://www.amazon.com/Arnold-Cross-...dp/1436325447/

[Jeff Mando]

I found three other Cross mandolins online. All were priced the same at $2000 each.

[colorado_al]

Seems very nice, but CL seems a strange place for a builder to market a handmade instrument.

In Nashville, that's the perfect place to market it.

[jim simpson]

The other perfect place to sell would be Mandolin Cafe!

[Jeff Mando]

That was kind of my point, Craigslist appeals to bargain hunters, whereas MC is for people who speak the language of mandolins, builders, and the commissioning of having an instrument built. I think on CL, he would get a lot of people looking for something for $200 rather than $2000, unless he is willing to state the price in the ad. But everyone has their own strategy! Before eBay, there was Vintage Guitar magazine where vendors listed their inventory. Most dealers listed their prices. But one well-known dealer wouldn't price anything in print -- I guess he felt if you took the time to call that was the first step toward a purchase. He's now on eBay and he lists his prices.

[jhammond]

In the Nashville market you do see a lot of instruments in high and low price ranges. He has mandolins at Gruhn's, Carter Vintage and some east TN stores. I also don't think he and his wife are extremely computer savvy. They don't post them often on Craigslist but only a couple times a year maybe. I agree he should be on the Cafe. If I get a chance to call him I will mention it. When he made my Birdseye a couple years ago, he made two and sold them both out of his home workshop through Craigslist. I don't live very far from Smyrna but he said the other guy drove from east TN I think. Arm also travels to hand pick woods to build with as I am sure many builders do. Side note: he makes some nice clocks too.

For what it's worth I love mine.
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...t=Arnold+Crosshttp://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...t=Arnold+Cross

[houseworker]

Interesting.... no price.

$2500 - the listing's been updated

[Jeff Mando]

$2500 - the listing's been updated

He got tired of having to respond to people hoping it was $200...............