If you've been looking for a lovely Vintage Mandolin, the place I recommend you start shopping is eBay.com.
eBay has a wonderful assortment of new and used Mandolins for sale, but they are one of the biggest providers online of vintage mandolins. You have collectors and musicians from all over the country coming to eBay to market their prized vintage mandolins, or used mandolins with an extra bit of character.
Click on one of the images below to find out more about that mandolin, and see the other mandolins eBay has available.
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![]() WASHBURN VINTAGE MANDOLIN BOWLBACK REDUCED PRICE US $265.00
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![]() C F Martin Co Sigma SM 6 Mandolin and HSC F 5 style US $425.00
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![]() 1 CENT CD Guitars Cadillacs Etc Etc Dwight Yoakam US $.01
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![]() 1 CENT CD Love and Theft Bob Dylan US $.42
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![]() 1 CENT CD Fairweather Johnson Hootie the Blowfish US $.01
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![]() Vintage Rhinestone Estate Jewelry Quality Repair Lot US $54.40
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![]() Christus Cosmonaughts minimal Legendary Pink Dots US $1.80
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![]() Vintage Mandolin As Is Repair Parts Unmarked US $20.50
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![]() Carrie Newcomer The Geography Roots Folk Stone Soup US $1.75
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If you've been struggling to figure out whether to get a new style or vintage mandolin, there are a number of good things to think about. First, a vintage mandolin, if it is used, may be in a little bit worse shape - chipped finish, weaker wood, and wear showing from years of love - than a new mandolin.
On the other hand, it may very well be better made than some of the new machine and factory produced mandolins that are for sale at the lowest price points. If you can get a well cared for used mandolin that was hand made, I would guess you'd have a better quality instrument than you'd get buying a newer, cheaper mass produced violin.
However, buying used items is definitely the case of let the buyer beware. Talk to the vendor who is selling you the violin. If possible, see if you can try playing it before you purchase it. If you are buying it online, or if you're just not confident in what you're getting see if there is a return policy in place that will let you send the mandolin back within 30 days if you're not happy with the purchase.
Vintage mandolins can be a great value, and a real conversation piece when you go to play. However, just like when you shop for anything else, you want to be careful that you're getting a good value.
Have fun with your new mandolin!