A Pre Serial 523 from Holland
The second pre-serial number model 523 mandolin has been added to the serial number database.
It has the typical pre-serial number features of a torch inlay, bell shaped truss rod cover, and no label. The original owner says about it “No number, no paper or info inside. Nice mandolin, used to be mine before I bought a used 526. I bought this one new in the Netherlands after phoning all major and lesser musik shops in Holland. Found just one! was late 70’s, non original case when I bought it.”
This mandolin has been in the Spruce Pine Bluegrass Band. Here is a picture of the current owner playing it.
November 26th, 2008 at 6:38 am
I also have a pre-serial number 523. I’m the original owner. It was purchased at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, CA, USA probably around 1975. Except for two very tiny dings in the finish it is flawless. Neck is still straight as an arrow. Truss rod never adjusted. Has always had medium strings on it. It has no pick guard. It was missing when I bought it, and I declined to have it added as I liked the appearance without it. So far so good: No pick scratches on the top.
Someone recently asked what it was worth. I have no idea. It was what I cold afford at the time and I haven’t followed prices, although the current Ibanez offerings are far less than the $565 I paid back in ‘75. Although I covet a couple of newer mandolins I’ve seen in stores, the prices are out of the question. I should have purchased the Gibson Lloyd Loar repro for $2000 when it was first introduced.