Water Damaged Master Model on E-bay

[Tom C]

That Charles Johnson one is #72799. After being reparied, it looks well used but does not look like it's been in a flood.

[MikeEdgerton]

Here's a link to 72799 in the Mandolin Archive.

[Bernie Daniel]

That Charles Johnson one is #72799. After being reparied, it looks well used but does not look like it's been in a flood.

Wonder how it sounds after being repaired? I would think that the story of the reconstruction of that mandolin might make interesting reading -- wonder if its been written up? Do you know did the repairs?

[Chris Oliver]

You guys don't know what you're missing... I should have bid more than $10 less than the final price... of course that sort of recursive statement could have really bad results. The last instrument I restored (under water rescue) turned out to be one of the best sounding I've heard. 1949 D-28

[Bernie Daniel]

You guys don't know what you're missing... I should have bid more than $10 less than the final price... of course that sort of recursive statement could have really bad results. The last instrument I restored (under water rescue) turned out to be one of the best sounding I've heard. 1949 D-28

Whozeers! Awesome restoration! Just wonderful to be able to follow those photo of your work as you proceeded -- must be a great feeling of satisfaction when that job was done. Of course that was a much more valuable instrument than that F-5G mandolin. It sold on auction for a bit under $1K.

I cannot think of anyone any more qualified then you to answer this question. I you were asked to restore that water damaged Gibson mandolin how much would you have to charge? (given what you can see on the pictures that is).

[Chris Oliver]

Bernie, Thanks for the kind words. That Martin turned out better than ever expected given it was under-water and semi-destroyed by another 'luthier' at some point. It truly does have a wonderful sound and has some former owner mojo.

As for that F5-G. There are a lot of if's. But, if the neck and fretboard are not swollen or twisted you are really only looking at possibly replacing the back and re-gluing the tone bars... I am assuming they loosened... maybe not. Considering they didn't loosen the strings, I guess the top is under some strain but the sides look like they have warped to accommodate the pressure.

So... replace back (or just strip and re-glue). cr@p shoot really comes in to play if the sides do not return to original shape to get neck angle right. No back bindings... so probably it would need to be bound to make it look right after re-gluing. Sunburst the back and sides, shoot with lacquer and buff. Setup and done. $1500... if the top needs to be refinished add $300.

If I were doing it for myself, it would be worth it... maybe...probably not. If someone else asked me to do it... I would really have to have it in hand for an estimate. I would rather build them a new one!

[Bernie Daniel]

Interesting, thanks. If, when actually examined closely, the mandolin is about as you assess it the buyer might make out on this purchase. Assume that even if the top needs some work and you had to charge ~$2K to fix it up then the buyer would have a F-5G for ~$3K -- not too bad. Probably a little less than you would typically pay for a good used -- albeit un-drowned one. I'd suggest a typical used price of $3,200 - $3,800 for one in decent shape?

My big concern would have been that the sides not longer mate up to the back and/or top plate and you mentioned that. I guess if I had a shop it might be a fun challenge to try and restore it.

[barney 59]

It seems to me that there must be a tremendous number of amateur luthier hobbyists out there. I follow ebay auctions in search of possible restorations and some of the most wrecked stuff sells for unrealistically high prices, full complete and playable examples of the same instrument could be had for close to the price that some basket cases go for. People with a hobby aren't really concerned with the cost and the time involved isn't necessarily a factor,the longer the better maybe. When something shows up that is kind of cool but really a mess there seems to be a group that gets particularly excited about that and will pay a premium for an interesting challenge. This waterlogged Gibson would be a great project for someone who didn't really care what it cost or what it's value would be once completed. All said and done the cost of rebuilding this mandolin is probably cheaper than golf.

[Chris Oliver]

Bernie,
My guess is that if an amateur bought this mando, it will get some work done in a few months, mostly just taken apart. Then, it will be remembered when it is in the way of putting the hose away next winter, and possibly gotten rid of in a few years, in a big cardboard box, for a 20 bucks at a yard sale. On the other hand...

I just hope if someone does fix it up that they post some of the restoration and completion photos in this or a new thread. I'd love to see this guy in a year playing some awesome version of Soldier's Joy... while in the background, a video of its guts are displayed being put back together.

Some instruments are worth putting back together for monetary purposes, some for educational reasons, some for historical reasons and some for diabolical reasons (think Christine, evil jealosy mojo).

It seems to me that there must be a tremendous number of amateur luthier hobbyists out there. ... All said and done the cost of rebuilding this mandolin is probably cheaper than golf.

Barney.... I agree and yes... totally cheaper than most outdoor hobbies these days. If I had bought a mandolin like this before I started building instruments, I would have had a great Gibson F5 with all the trimmings by the time I was done, no matter the expense and time. For many, this would be enough... having a great instrument to bang around on that you restored yourself. Me, being an overachiever, would have done this project as a hobbyist and then started an additional additional [sic] career...

[Schlegel]

That was pretty much the motivation behind me buying an a-40 with a broken dovetail joint off craigslist. It was under $300, though, and a lot less work than this will need.

[anserg]

You guys don't know what you're missing... I should have bid more than $10 less than the final price... of course that sort of recursive statement could have really bad results. The last instrument I restored (under water rescue) turned out to be one of the best sounding I've heard. 1949 D-28

Chris, how much will you take for the restoraion work of this F5-G?

[woodwizard]

After seeing that amazing Martin guitar work by Chris Oliver, (thanks for sharing), I have no doubt that Chris could bring that F5G back to life again. If that ever happens it sure would be nice to see the progress pics as it went along.

[anserg]

After seeing that amazing Martin guitar work by Chris Oliver, (thanks for sharing), I have no doubt that Chris could bring that F5G back to life again. If that ever happens it sure would be nice to see the progress pics as it went along.

I havn`t got it from the USA yet. When I have it, I`ll post some good sharp pictures before the restoration project begins. Now it is at my friend`s in the USA ( banjo builder) and he will ship it to me along with some other stuff I bought.
He said the things are not so bad as you think guys. There are some good violn luthuers in Moscow. I hope they will help me with operations I can`t do myself.

[Chris Oliver]

I havn`t got it from the USA yet. When I have it, I`ll post some good sharp pictures before the restoration project begins. Now it is at my friend`s in the USA ( banjo builder) and he will ship it to me along with some other stuff I bought.
He said the things are not so bad as you think guys. There are some good violn luthuers in Moscow. I hope they will help me with operations I can`t do myself.

Sorry, I totally missed the additional posts on this topic.

Congratulation on your purchase... I think.

I believe I 'guestimated' around $1800 for a restore with several dependencies. I would definitely have to have the mandolin in hand for inspection and have a chance to talk about expectations and realities before locking in a price.

Let me know if you want me to take a look... I'll do that for free (you cover shipping). Just send me a pm if you want.

Otherwise, I hope it is in better shape than it looked in the photos. And, I (and others) would love to see it again during and after a restoration.

Good luck!
chris

[anserg]

[Bernie Daniel]

Just wondering when you completed the rebuild? The last post was January 2011? In any case, your work was certainly was successful - the restored mandolin looks great.

[mojocaster]

the tailpiece looks fine.

Best thing I read all day. Thank you for the chuckles on a day when chuckles were not in my inventory!

[William Smith]

Wonder how it sounds after being repaired? I would think that the story of the reconstruction of that mandolin might make interesting reading -- wonder if its been written up? Do you know did the repairs?

This Loar was put back together very well from a guy in Florida-I passed on buying it but sent the info to a friend who got her and it is an AMAZING Loar F-5 I knew it would be being the only one signed on that day, my friend got a deal of the century on this one and is very pleased I sent him the info on where it was also it as just finished touched up/French polished, never refinished in the 50's like it says in the archive! Its a HOSS!

[anserg]

This baby has been waiting for restoration for 8 years. And now I feel myself like a traitor. I gave it to my friend at least. Now he has Gibson F5 mandolin, the only in in the hole Russia. It sounds great and looks great too. The restoration was done by russian luthier in Moscow just for $500.

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