Did you google his name? I did and found that he made violins and mandos for much of his life. Would like to play and see the one listed. Been watching it for a few days too.
lane
Hi Lane, I did! I was hoping to hear from someone who has played one (or more).
There was no mention of weather he made a dozen or hundreds... and what about the quality???
I'm going to hold off bidding, at least until there is (at lease a little) more info.
Mike
P.S. Gonna email the seller, though it's difficult to gauge bias as he's going for the most profit in that auction.
Last edited by your_diamond; Mar-26-2023 at 10:46am.
I thought the same thing and didn't ask here as I didn't want bidding to go thru' the roof with everyone else in on the secret. For me it is like telling people at the boat launch where I caught all these big fish. I know it is selfish but big fish are hard to find even on a good lake. Years ago I learned the hard way when once I told the guys back at work where my friend and I were mopping up and the next weekend when we went back there were 5 boats and one with the person I told. Lesson learned. We never caught fish there again and it was a prime spot that took me years to locate. Between my friend at work and all his buddies they milked that spot for all it was worth.
Would love to know about this mandolin though but the evaluation video regarding one that was purchased by the same builder was not glowing. So who knows.
It looks like someone has a $500 bid in. The under bidders have numerous bids in and haven't outbid him. Still, it could go for a bargain price.
Last edited by your_diamond; Mar-26-2023 at 11:39am.
FWIW there is this video from 7 years ago of a mandolin by him. Sounds pretty decent. Mr. Holbrook passed away in February of 2020.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Honestly if it popped up for sale and I could play it I would probably buy it if it was cheap enough, played well, and sounded good but if you're looking for pristine perfect work the sunburst and the f holes and some other spots leave a little to be desired.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
Yeah, It doesn't look as nice as the one in the video.
I asked, How did you come across this?
He answered, grandprix621: My dad was in a bluegrass gospel band.
There are a few possible explanations. The one in the video might have been built when he was younger and had better control or it might have been built later when he got better at cutting f holes and such. Years ago I bought a guitar built by a guy that had been building arch top guitars since the 20's. He had some interesting designs. Unfortunately I bought one he built in 1978 and it was rough.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
From his (auction) description... As his eye sight was beginning to fail it is not quite as perfect as his earlier examples
That makes perfect sense. My step-father was a cabinet maker that built amazing things. As he got older his work suffered. He told me "My head knows what I want to do but my hands just won't do it". Now that I'm near the same age he was I understand that all too well.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
The seller has added several more new photos to his listing for a better look at the workmanship.
lane
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