1918 Gibson A $499 needs some work- original case

[NickR]

The mandolin's top has sunk a bit. If nobody buys it, it's going to be sold as parts. It is certainly worth the opening price for parts but there may be salvation out there!


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1918-Gibson...53cd%7Ciid%3A1

[Simon DS]

Oh lovely, thanks for posting this, an old Gibson that looks like an old Gibson.

[jim simpson]

What's going on with the headstock. I don't see a rear photo of it, wonder if it has a neck break/fracture?

[MikeEdgerton]

I don't know if you'd get your money back without the pickguard clamp if you were to part it out. Maybe.

[NickR]

I think if you got more than $125 for the carcass you would break even on $500.

[Timbofood]

Someone buy it! The top can be helped, it’s a great price. I wish I had 500 bucks!

[LadysSolo]

I would buy it if I had $500 to spare!

[mandolinstew]

You can sell the tailpiece and get your money back?

[allenhopkins]

Looks like someone bought out a "Folk Shop" and is liquidating the inventory on eBay...?

[Bernie Daniel]

At $500 you might well have a nice mandolin but it would need the transverse brace re-glued at a minimum.

If you can do that yourself fine but if not that is a cost added.

The problem is that might not fix the problem. If it doesn't then you'll have to pop the back off, reshape the top (if it did not re-bound when the pressure is released) and then add a second spruce brace under the bridge. That works well I've done it with a Gibson K-1 mandocello before.

It is missing the pick guard and clamp - they are not easy to find and pricey.

When you did all that you'd have a nice old Gibson base A-model worth maybe $750?

Unless you can do it yourself you'd never make all those repairs for $250 -- at least I don't think you would?

Still you could probably just play it like it is -- maybe it does not sound too bad?

[MikeEdgerton]

You can sell the tailpiece and get your money back?

If know anyone willing to pay that much let me know. They don't sell for that much.

[Eric Platt]

Wouldn't one need a new bridge after fixing the top? If it plays now, when fixed the action would be too high. Or is the collapse even worse on the treble side? Hard to tell without more photos.

And then if it needs frets or any other work . . .

Too bad because it looks nice otherwise. A lot nicer than either of mine.

[NickR]

It may well be the original bridge which has had additional wood glued on it then shaped to the current contour. Presumably, it could be shaped to a new profile by whoever fixed the top- assuming the mandolin is purchased in this auction.

[rcc56]

1. Wouldn't one need a new bridge after fixing the top?

2. And then if it needs frets or any other work . . .

1. No. These bridges can easily be re-profiled and or shimmed as necessary.
2. I find that most of these old mandolins play better with modern frets. For those who are on a tight budget, some money can be saved by only replacing the first 12 frets.

If it needs only the brace repaired and a set-up, the repair costs should be under $200 at the most. For a partial fret job, add another $150 to $225, depending on who is doing the work.

[Timbofood]

Please, someone with a heart take this puppy home! Feed it and get it sorted out, love this little pearl for years! There is nothing I can see that it “terribly” wrong!

Well, Duh! Someone won it a $540.00! Still a really decent deal! Hope we hear if it was a café aficionado!

[NickR]

I decided to go for it- but was outbid. Let's hope it is going to be played/restored. I would have been happy to deal with the sunken top but it is out of my hands.

[Timbofood]

I decided to go for it- but was outbid. Let's hope it is going to be played/restored. I would have been happy to deal with the sunken top but it is out of my hands.

Well, you tried! I hope someone will take good care of this baby!