Rare One of a Kind Custom Gilchrist F-5 Mandolin Start Price USD 24,750.00 Current Price USD 24,750.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, November 20, 2008 End Time Sunday, November 23, 2008 Location Cornelia, GA See more about 'Rare One of a Kind Custom Gilchrist F-5 Mandolin' Description Rare One of a Kind Custom Gilchrist F-5 Mandolin This is a very unique mandolin that was built by Steve Gilchrist while he was working with Gruhn guitars in 1980. It is the only Gilchrist instrument that has ever been produced that bears a "The Gibson" peghead logo. Here is the story on the instrument which has been told to me by both the original owner and Steve Gilchrist himself. This mandolin was originally built for a gentleman named Kenny Snow. Kenny was a resident of Nashville, TN who owned a very fine Lloyd Loar signed Gibson mandolin. In the early 80s Steve Gilchrist was working at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville and was just starting to become known as the great builder that he has become. Well, Kenny Snow decided that he wanted Gilchrist to build an EXACT replica of his April 12th 1923 Loar. Over the period that this instrument was being built Steve had access to the "Kenny Snow Loar" so that it could truly be a correct copy. The only problem that came up was when the question of the peghead logo came up. Mr Snow was insistant that he wanted a "The Gibson" peghead logo, however, Steve would not do the inlay. So, this mandolin was completed with the logo left off of the peghead. It was then carried to another well know luthier who did the "The Gibson" inlay. It makes for quite an interesting bit of history on this fine instrument. I first encountered this mandolin as a teenager. I spent one summer calling all of the old classified ads in all of the back issues of Bluegrass Unlimited, Pickin, Muleskinner News and several other of the publications. I actually called every ad in which an old gibson mandolin was listed for sale in case that it might still be available. (I actually found an unknown Loar this way!!). One of the ads was for the actual Loar after which this mandolin was patterned. Kenny Snow had listed the Loar because he said that when he got this Gilchrist it was really the only mandolin he wanted to play. It is serial number 8096. It was completed by Steve in 12/80. It features a beautiful 2 piece back, a Flowerpot peghead inlay, X pattern braceing, and a slightly radius fingerboard. It has a special custom label by Gilchrist stating that it is a "custom" instrument that is a replica of the specific Loar. It has had replaced tuning machines and an abreviated pickguard installed. The fingerboard extension has been removed and rebound, and it has a "Gibson" tailpiece and cover. It is a great mandolin! I purchased it directly from Kenny Snow a couple of years ago. It was sold to Danny Roberts who is the mandolin player with the Grascals. Danny recently traded it to Aubrey Haynie for a December 1922 Loar. I then recently got it back from Aubrey. This is one great unique Gilchrist with quite a history. If you are wanting a Gilchrist, but want that "Special One". This one certainly could be it!!! PAYMENT IS EXPECTED WITHIN 3 DAYS. If no arrangement for payment is made within 3 days, an Unpaid Item Dispute will be opened and the item will automatically relist. Do NOT bid if you do not intend to pay within the 3 DAYS. We report all nonpaying bidders. We will accept PayPal only. Please note that when you submit payment via PayPal, we can ONLY ship to the PayPal shipping/billing address. No Exceptions. In addition, Georgia Residents will be charged 7% sales tax on ALL SALES. If an item is picked up at our store, sales tax will apply. We typically ship via UPS; however, we reserve the right to ship this item via USPS as well. All items will be insured for the full purchase price of the auction. Items will be shipped within 5 business days of our receipt of clear payment into our account from PayPal. Affordable Auction Management and Image Hosting Solutions @ inkFrog view my other auctions below:   visit my entire auction showcase Place a Bid!