My stepdad was cleaning out an attic for an elderly woman from his church. She lived there for over 75 years. He found an old Gibson Mandolin in the original case and still in excellent condition. The woman insisted that he take it because he plays guitar and mandolin. He took it to be appraised and found out it is worth over $10,000! He immediately went back to her and tried to give it back telling her it’s value. She still insisted that he keep it. He still has it and plays it. He will never sell that thing.
His grandmother wanted his father to be "some sort of a musician" and bought this beautiful instrument for him. Amazing. Most of us musicians had parents who didn't want us to play music!
The F stands for Florentine model.....! They weren’t trying to make it look like a violin .......it’s an Italian style....! His appraisal was way too low also........💵💰💵💰💵
The appraisal is pretty spot on actually. I've the f5 in decent condition in the $3-5k range...and they dont exactly fly off the selves. They sit for months or years.
@@walterthegoat9070 F4 models are gaining popularity but the Bluegrass players must have the F5 along with bib overalls as part of the required uniform.
I agree. There are A model from the era that fetch that much. It's not a 5, but 4s are just as good. Monroe played a 5 and that's what everybody wants.
I've been in bluegrass for 40 years and F certainly does denotes the style (shape) of the mandolin A style is a tear drop shape...and the price is about right ✅️
This looks like it’s from an older broadcast so we need to account for that- but even still the appraisal is pretty right on for this model. It’s pre truss-rod which makes it just on the early side of the super desirable Lloyd Loar era models. I have a 1913 F4 that I picked up for about 3k about 10 years ago.
@@wlacosta It is, you'd think people would watch all the way through before complaining. 3:07 The newest appraisal counting on inflation, these are always very conservative values too (the bottom line in a sense). Always expect to get higher in an auction /with the right buyer.
@@wlacosta Good point...which is why I was able to buy a 1920 Gibson A2 25 years ago for a reasonable sum. At the end of the day, it's not about the value...that little thing just roars! I wish I was a better player!
Not sure it was the exact year,however,my friend works at the Goodwill store…he went into the office and brought out a similar mandolin,it had been donated….not sure what became,I was impressed…
His appraisal is pretty spot on actually. People saying 10,000. That's ridiculous. I see the F4s from time to time 3-5k tops...and they sit around for months or years. Typically people who want them are collectors, not professional musicians.
I disagree. Top bluegrass musicians seek vintage instruments. Set up doesn't cost that much. Gibson F5s bring big money. 3k wouldn't make the down payment
@@banjobones8075 Most Blue Grass Mandolin players want the F5.. Not the F4 as is this mandolin. OLD TIME music players seem to enjoy the F4. F4 models sell for far less than the F5. My preference is still A model snake heads.
You can tell it hasn't been played. It's "Asleep". Doesn't have much tone or volume at all. Somebody needs to sit down with it and play the heck out it for a few hours everyday for a few weeks. That thing will open up and sound Beautiful!
Thanks for saying that. I tell people all the time that guitars not played can fall asleep. I have a a nearly 80 year old J-45 that sounds beautiful because it gets played. These acoustic instruments need to breathe. ✌️🤪🎸🎶🎵🎶 p.s. I think this mandolin is worth much more than the appraisal.
Quite correct! I've been playing strings (mostly fretted) for 60 years and some of the best sounding instruments have been tuned, played and well-cared for. I've played some real old cheapos that played and sounded GREAT because somebody spent years infusing them with musical TLC. P.S. I hope that fellow did not sell this beauty for $3-4,000. It is easily worth DOUBLE or TRIPLE that, especially in the original case.
@@j.d.schultzsr.9215 You have to remember that it is an F4 and not the infamous Lloyd Loar F5. Which in good condition can fetch 6 figures easily. The Loar F5 is the "holy grail" for Bluegrass players. Though beautiful, the F4 is not what the Bluegrass players really want. (though you will see them from time to time in a Bluegrass band). The center sound hole has a completely different sound than the F5. Which has the more familiar f-holes in the top. I think this appraisal was pretty spot on for an F4.
We had an elderly woman come in to the music store l worked at (largest chain in Dallas Tx then) with a Gibson Mando made by Loar. They of course tried to rob her. l took her aside and gave her the name of a reputable shop who gave her 10+ times what we offered. She came in the store periodically after that and always made me insane treats, cookies and cupcakes. When she learned l had quit she stopped.
He was wrong about one thing. The Mother of Pearl inlays on the head stock, which he mentioned, and the inlays on the fretboard were NOT made by Gibson employees in the Gibson factory. They were made by small local craftsmen and they were not all made by the same craftsmen. The same inly. for example, that was used on a specific model was often made by different craftsmen.
If it was snuggled inside it's case for 40 some odd years, the strings would be dead and out of tune, but the tuners and finish would be pristine if it was under a bed. Man, would I have loved to have seen that thing unplayed as a little kid and again when I was 15 years old. "Hey pops, can I borrow the truck ? I need to go to town and spend a couple bucks on some new mand'lin strings."
Not even close to the correct value, try buying one for that, ain’t gonna happen. I love the oval hole ones, I think the tone is better than the f holes.
Based on the quality of the broadcast, this was from an episode at least 10 years ago. For the time, the value was probably relatively accurate if a bit low , but in today’s market, it would definitely be substantially more.
Do you all not have eyes and brains? The appraisal and original episode is 19 years old, from 2003! Just look up the model, the revised price is definitely in the ballpark.
It's crazy how you can pick up an old F4 without a truss rod for a couple of thousand but just try to find an F5 from the 20s that doesn't sell for as much as a new car.
@@jeffhildreth9244 14 years ago, i had a 1917 f-4, 1 piece back, nearly in that condition. had it on consignment at curtis mc peakes, got $5200.00 out of it
I can’t understand why some Loar Gibsons are worth like 3 grand and some are worth like 150 grand. That one looks as nice as any I’ve seen, in great shape, and sounds amazing, doesn’t make sense to me.
@Kevin Nelson Yeah, I guess so. You can do WILDLY better for way less than a tenth of the price, though. Rich dickheads speculating in them is also largely to blame, just like classic cars, guitars, almost anything else that was old, good, and affordable enough for normal human beings to enjoy if they wanted to fifteen years ago.
@Kevin Nelson Any of dozens of custom small-scale builders. Loars are amazing, no doubt about it, but to think that we haven’t improved on a 100-year-old design since then is crazy. Take the basic design of the Loars, apply modern acoustical science and manufacturing precision, build it out of old solid wood with new, superior adhesives and construction techniques, and there you have it.
@Kevin Nelson I’ve never played a mega-money Loar mando, and would rather not if given the chance to do so since they’re so absurdly valuable. I’ve played a couple lesser Loar mandolins like the one in this video, and they’re quite impressive but no better than any small-scale instrument today. I’m not a good enough mandolin player to get the best out of one anyway. I have built one or two, and I build, repair, and do custom work on all manner of guitars, mandolins, basses, etc. as a hobby/side business. All of the old sought-after legends in the guitar, bass, etc. world have been soundly bested by a combination of old techniques and new science and precision, I don’t see why mandolins would be any different. I think Chris Thile’s old Dudenbostels sound WAY better than his holy grail Virzi February 18th, 1924 Loar-signed F5. My Tacoma plays better than any Gibson I’ve ever seen (though I’ve been perfecting mine’s fretwork and setup for a few years). They’re great, but they’re not valuable on only merit, they’re mostly valuable on a basis of legend and rarity.
Tells us how important the sound is.... no matter the age or price.... proceeds to reveal that he himself is a musician...l proceeds to NOT PLAY INSTRUMENT
The thumbnail is so awkward. Entry level gibson mandolin is $5k today. So this “vintage instrument is worth less than a new one. If bill had played an oval hole this would be a different story.
Unfortunately, and in general terms, the closet queen that has sat in its case for decades is not going to sound as good as the road-worn instrument that was played often and vigorously (and maintained).
@@AZCobraman i took 4 grand and put it in an inflation calculator and it came up with $5,600 which still seems low to me. Im not an expert by any means tho
My stepdad was cleaning out an attic for an elderly woman from his church. She lived there for over 75 years. He found an old Gibson Mandolin in the original case and still in excellent condition. The woman insisted that he take it because he plays guitar and mandolin. He took it to be appraised and found out it is worth over $10,000! He immediately went back to her and tried to give it back telling her it’s value. She still insisted that he keep it. He still has it and plays it. He will never sell that thing.
What a wonderful instrument to inherit!
Just imagine that how that mandolin sounds with with fresh strings!!
His grandmother wanted his father to be "some sort of a musician" and bought this beautiful instrument for him. Amazing. Most of us musicians had parents who didn't want us to play music!
Wow. Beautiful. I have a Fender that was modelled after this one. I fell in Love from the moment I picked it up.
The F stands for Florentine model.....! They weren’t trying to make it look like a violin .......it’s an Italian style....!
His appraisal was way too low also........💵💰💵💰💵
The appraisal is pretty spot on actually. I've the f5 in decent condition in the $3-5k range...and they dont exactly fly off the selves. They sit for months or years.
@@walterthegoat9070 F4 models are gaining popularity but the Bluegrass players must have the F5 along with bib overalls as part of the required uniform.
I agree. There are A model from the era that fetch that much. It's not a 5, but 4s are just as good. Monroe played a 5 and that's what everybody wants.
they constantly undervalue items...then ya go watch Pawn Stars and watch them overvalue them!
I've been in bluegrass for 40 years and F certainly does denotes the style (shape) of the mandolin A style is a tear drop shape...and the price is about right ✅️
Undervalued I believe. Hope he didnt sell for under $10K.
This looks like it’s from an older broadcast so we need to account for that- but even still the appraisal is pretty right on for this model. It’s pre truss-rod which makes it just on the early side of the super desirable Lloyd Loar era models. I have a 1913 F4 that I picked up for about 3k about 10 years ago.
@@wlacosta It is, you'd think people would watch all the way through before complaining. 3:07 The newest appraisal counting on inflation, these are always very conservative values too (the bottom line in a sense). Always expect to get higher in an auction /with the right buyer.
You would think it would be worth that much but you could find one for less than $5,000.
@@wlacosta Good point...which is why I was able to buy a 1920 Gibson A2 25 years ago for a reasonable sum. At the end of the day, it's not about the value...that little thing just roars! I wish I was a better player!
If it was a F-5 it would be worth $500k
2:04 interesting that the tuning peg partially covers the G In Gibson, how did that slip by?
Typical Gibson inconsistency.
Hand made no computers, CNC, etc. Make a mandolin yourself and you will find out why.
Not sure it was the exact year,however,my friend works at the Goodwill store…he went into the office and brought out a similar mandolin,it had been donated….not sure what became,I was impressed…
I want to see these two again
His appraisal is pretty spot on actually. People saying 10,000. That's ridiculous. I see the F4s from time to time 3-5k tops...and they sit around for months or years. Typically people who want them are collectors, not professional musicians.
Agreed, Needs to be cleaned up and set up to get anything more than $3K.
I disagree. Top bluegrass musicians seek vintage instruments. Set up doesn't cost that much. Gibson F5s bring big money. 3k wouldn't make the down payment
@@banjobones8075 Most Blue Grass Mandolin players want the F5.. Not the F4 as is this mandolin.
OLD TIME music players seem to enjoy the F4. F4 models sell for far less than the F5.
My preference is still A model snake heads.
Was it a Lloyd Loar Signed version 1921 he was there at Gibson
You can tell it hasn't been played. It's "Asleep". Doesn't have much tone or volume at all. Somebody needs to sit down with it and play the heck out it for a few hours everyday for a few weeks. That thing will open up and sound Beautiful!
Maybe. Gibsons are inconsistent. I have owned Snakehead Jr models that sound as good as some F5 models. You never know. It's like a box of chocolates.
Thanks for saying that. I tell people all the time that guitars not played can fall asleep. I have a a nearly 80 year old J-45 that sounds beautiful because it gets played. These acoustic instruments need to breathe.
✌️🤪🎸🎶🎵🎶 p.s. I think this mandolin is worth much more than the appraisal.
@@marions.120 The appraisal was optimistic.
Quite correct! I've been playing strings (mostly fretted) for 60 years and some of the best sounding instruments have been tuned, played and well-cared for. I've played some real old cheapos that played and sounded GREAT because somebody spent years infusing them with musical TLC.
P.S. I hope that fellow did not sell this beauty for $3-4,000. It is easily worth DOUBLE or TRIPLE that, especially in the original case.
@@j.d.schultzsr.9215 You have to remember that it is an F4 and not the infamous Lloyd Loar F5. Which in good condition can fetch 6 figures easily. The Loar F5 is the "holy grail" for Bluegrass players. Though beautiful, the F4 is not what the Bluegrass players really want. (though you will see them from time to time in a Bluegrass band). The center sound hole has a completely different sound than the F5. Which has the more familiar f-holes in the top. I think this appraisal was pretty spot on for an F4.
He's a musician. Couldn't tell with that whanging. Where's Dawg ?
@@cappystrano1 Your infantile remark lived up to my expectations.
The head-stock is very good.
We had an elderly woman come in to the music store l worked at (largest chain in Dallas Tx then) with a Gibson Mando made by Loar. They of course tried to rob her. l took her aside and gave her the name of a reputable shop who gave her 10+ times what we offered. She came in the store periodically after that and always made me insane treats, cookies and cupcakes. When she learned l had quit she stopped.
Lots of top bluegrass musicians might be interested in this wonderful instrument! Get Vince Gill on the phone! :)
the thumbnail showing the owner trying to touch the mandolin while the other guy won't let go looks very strange indeed
It's called humor, Karen.
I think it would be worth more!
Nope it is a short scale oval hole.
Going to California?
He was wrong about one thing. The Mother of Pearl inlays on the head stock, which he mentioned, and the inlays on the fretboard were NOT made by Gibson employees in the Gibson factory. They were made by small local craftsmen and they were not all made by the same craftsmen. The same inly. for example, that was used on a specific model was often made by different craftsmen.
100 years old
If that mandolin is worth $3,000 to $4,000, I'll tak 10... right now. Ken Farmer may be a musician but he's no mandolin musician.
I'm told a Gibson F-5 Loar from '23 can be worth six figures. That would definitely go good toward someone's retirement fund
If it was snuggled inside it's case for 40 some odd years, the strings would be dead and out of tune, but the tuners and finish would be pristine if it was under a bed. Man, would I have loved to have seen that thing unplayed as a little kid and again when I was 15 years old. "Hey pops, can I borrow the truck ? I need to go to town and spend a couple bucks on some new mand'lin strings."
Needs new strings and a set up . Then play the poor thing , it's beautiful ! PEACE
Agreed, needs to be cleaned up and set up by a pro. Rather rough condition and sounds bad. Lots of potential though.
Not even close to the correct value, try buying one for that, ain’t gonna happen. I love the oval hole ones, I think the tone is better than the f holes.
I thought the appraisal was low as well.
3:07
Based on the quality of the broadcast, this was from an episode at least 10 years ago. For the time, the value was probably relatively accurate if a bit low , but in today’s market, it would definitely be substantially more.
Do you all not have eyes and brains? The appraisal and original episode is 19 years old, from 2003! Just look up the model, the revised price is definitely in the ballpark.
@@ThePauloman80 Nope.
It's crazy how you can pick up an old F4 without a truss rod for a couple of thousand but just try to find an F5 from the 20s that doesn't sell for as much as a new car.
Almost impossible to find one in that good of condition
more like 10k to 20k
Louis Hibbs sad to tell the man that price WOW !
More ridiculous comments. It is a Pre Loar 4 not a 5 and it is in average, not stellar condition.. $3K- $5K max and that would be set up, cleaned up.
@@jeffhildreth9244 get me two of them then please.
@@jeffhildreth9244 14 years ago, i had a 1917 f-4, 1 piece back, nearly in that condition. had it on consignment at curtis mc peakes, got $5200.00 out of it
@@sunnymtnboy Congrats. I like the F-4.
Beautiful, but TUNE that MoFo!!!
$3,000-$4,000!? He would be a fool to sell it for that!
Far Out!
U meant $30k to $40k, right?
Strings were dead. 🙂
Excellence
WTF.... Do NOT make me go back in time and fix this appraisal.
I can’t understand why some Loar Gibsons are worth like 3 grand and some are worth like 150 grand. That one looks as nice as any I’ve seen, in great shape, and sounds amazing, doesn’t make sense to me.
@Kevin Nelson Yeah, I guess so. You can do WILDLY better for way less than a tenth of the price, though. Rich dickheads speculating in them is also largely to blame, just like classic cars, guitars, almost anything else that was old, good, and affordable enough for normal human beings to enjoy if they wanted to fifteen years ago.
@Kevin Nelson Any of dozens of custom small-scale builders. Loars are amazing, no doubt about it, but to think that we haven’t improved on a 100-year-old design since then is crazy. Take the basic design of the Loars, apply modern acoustical science and manufacturing precision, build it out of old solid wood with new, superior adhesives and construction techniques, and there you have it.
@Kevin Nelson I’ve never played a mega-money Loar mando, and would rather not if given the chance to do so since they’re so absurdly valuable. I’ve played a couple lesser Loar mandolins like the one in this video, and they’re quite impressive but no better than any small-scale instrument today. I’m not a good enough mandolin player to get the best out of one anyway. I have built one or two, and I build, repair, and do custom work on all manner of guitars, mandolins, basses, etc. as a hobby/side business.
All of the old sought-after legends in the guitar, bass, etc. world have been soundly bested by a combination of old techniques and new science and precision, I don’t see why mandolins would be any different. I think Chris Thile’s old Dudenbostels sound WAY better than his holy grail Virzi February 18th, 1924 Loar-signed F5. My Tacoma plays better than any Gibson I’ve ever seen (though I’ve been perfecting mine’s fretwork and setup for a few years). They’re great, but they’re not valuable on only merit, they’re mostly valuable on a basis of legend and rarity.
@@freeherenow52 Gilchrist, but more than $15,000 I believe.
@@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney" I’ve played a couple lesser Loar mandolins like the one in this video", this F4is not a Loar.
A lot more now.
Worth way more than that....if it was signed by Loyd Loar?....
Have a beer
That valuation seems way too low.
It was in 2003 plus it's not an F5 made by Lloyd Loar
@@frankdiscussion2069 Lloyd Loar never made a mandolin. He designed them and played them. Then he was fired.
LOW-Ball...that's a $10K Mando
Nope.
That's a 100 year old folk instrument.
I have an GibsonF4. Original case too. Had it set up professionally. Dont play it. Guitars only
I have a custom mandolin but not a Gibson.
Definitely sir get a second opinion.
Why.. it's a an F4 and common.
The Under bids of the so-called experts kill me... Not sure they use plastic bindin 1921 at Gibson
Plastic invented 1907 but it may taken 30 yrs to hit market, A LOT of Bakelite stuff came out even in 50s but forgot about the pickguard??.
Sheesh, you guys don’t know jack - F4 means you cannot have this unless you agree to train hard enough to play as powerful as an F4 tornado.
Tells us how important the sound is.... no matter the age or price.... proceeds to reveal that he himself is a musician...l proceeds to NOT PLAY INSTRUMENT
The thumbnail is so awkward. Entry level gibson mandolin is $5k today. So this “vintage instrument is worth less than a new one. If bill had played an oval hole this would be a different story.
Unfortunately, and in general terms, the closet queen that has sat in its case for decades is not going to sound as good as the road-worn instrument that was played often and vigorously (and maintained).
3-4 Gs? WTF?
3:07 That was the 03' appraisal. It's gone up in value with inflation.
Thanks, I didn't catch the broadcast date, but it seems low even for then.
@@AZCobraman i took 4 grand and put it in an inflation calculator and it came up with $5,600 which still seems low to me. Im not an expert by any means tho
Nah me neither, at least when it comes to mandos.
Far out
That does not sound that good .
FAR OUT
I think you could probably get $10,000 for it
Nope, maybe $5K cleaned up and set up properly. It's an F4 not an F5 or a Loar period instrument.
Rad
I wonder thats worth in 2023 dollars. He said $3k and I laughed. More like $30k
Absolutely not. It's an F4.
Very low value for that condition don't sell it
id give him £10k and I never touched a guitar thing in my life
Rather have a 1920s Epiphone guitar
more old junk
@Kevin Nelson how ignurt