Original Post By: Neal Date: 1/10/2015 11:26:12 AM I just have to say, I got a kick outta that thread. So many sensitive people out there! I wonder how much he got for it. It IS a pretty cool uke. Posted By: Neal Date: 1/11/2015 7:20:57 AM It's on eBay now with a 12" scale. Odd, that. 700 start, BIN 1000. Posted By: Neal Date: 1/11/2015 11:34:17 AM   (Updated: 1/11/2015 11:41:36 AM) So the guy selling it again says he's not familiar with "scale length" and 12" is from the "tip of the headstock to where it meets the body". Here's the link http://tinyurl.com/kj4fwcx Apparently, he didn't read the 3 or 4 pieces from different folks regarding scale length? Posted By: J Boy Shyne Date: 1/11/2015 6:00:04 PM I like how the price was set. Reminds me of Eddie Murphy setting the price for pork bellies in Trading Places. Posted By: Ukulele Rob Date: 1/13/2015 10:37:57 PM Hmmm. Started with opener set at $700, and expired with no bids. Which may be an indication that its value on the market is somewhat south of that amount. Based on our discussions on this BB, it's possible that there are two types of buyers out there on eBay. Type One is looking for the vintage uke, but for that sort of money would prefer a Martin or Gibson. Type Two sez, "Gee, that seems like a lot of money for an old ukulele." If only the tooth marks on the headstock could be proven to have come from the original Rin Tin Tin (or even Baby LeRoy). THEN we'd see some spirited bidding. I still think Ren will be happier keeping the uke and selling something else. Posted By: Ukulele Rob Date: 1/13/2015 10:42:36 PM Just saw that it's been re-listed on eBay, this time with a $550 minimum. And no bids yet. Posted By: J Boy Shyne Date: 1/14/2015 8:19:13 AM   (Updated: 1/14/2015 8:41:06 AM) Contrary to a posters unsupported claim that the uke is worth $1200 in today's market, I stand by my analysis (and Chuck's) that it might fetch $300-$500. See previous thread. Out of curiosity, would anyone trade a vintage (1920s) Style 2 Martin or Gibson for a Rutan that you've never played that's listed for sale in cyberspace? Posted By: AlanJ Date: 1/14/2015 10:56:18 AM I own a style 2 Rutan. Used to own a Gibson but it was a bit quiet for my tastes so sold it. I've played vintage Martins and was looking to purchase one before buying the Rutan so long ago. I wouldn't trade the Martin for the Rutan. Nor would I trade my Rutan for the Martin. For playability, construction and sound, they are that close. I can't answer for investment purposes. Posted By: Ukulele Rob Date: 1/14/2015 12:54:59 PM Only vaguely related to this discussion: 1. Were it not for this thread and the other thread re the Rutan, I might not have even known what a Rutan was. So it's been neat to learn about John Rutan and his brief history of ukulele manufacture. 2. The talk about Gibson v. Martin v. Rutan v. whatever is interesting. I love playing vintage ukes that I find in stores (or better yet, in friends' hands), but perhaps one reason I've never caught the "bug" is that the ukes I use most frequently are also great instruments, in most cases made by people I've met and consider as friends. Which adds its own "mojo" to them. 3. Finally, notwithstanding where folks think the actual, final, sales value of instruments such as the current eBay (and formerly Marketplace) listed Rutan will end up, there's something else that I've wondered about. The seller seems a bit impatient. It was on the Marketplace for only a day or two. Then listed with a minimum of $700 on eBay for only a few days. Now re-listed at a lesser minimum bid for just a few days. The common definition of "fair market value" includes "willing" buyer and seller, "neither acting under compulsion." E.g., neither is in a hurry. One does not list a car or a house for sale and then panic when it doesn't get a full bid within a few days. Some things take weeks or months to test the waters and work toward the best price. 'Nuf said. Posted By: J Boy Shyne Date: 1/17/2015 3:45:13 PM It sold for $450. So my estimate of $300-$500 was close to the mark. See- http://tinyurl.com/lk69hys I wonder if the buyer saw this and the other thread. It took the seller awhile, but he finally figured out scale length. See Q&A section at the bottom of the above link. Posted By: northern uke Date: 1/18/2015 10:49:17 AM The buyer got a great deal! Thats a Martin/Gibson quality uke for half price. Posted By: Ukulele Rob Date: 1/19/2015 1:32:01 AM All's well that ends well. Was it Shakespeare who said that? Yes, Northern Uke, it was a good deal, particularly for one who understands vintage sound. That, together with its looks, should bring honor (and great tone) to the buyer, provided the buyer is a player/performer. And as for the audience, the subtleties about Gibsons, Martins, Rutans, vintage value, etc., mean nothing. Posted By: northern uke Date: 1/19/2015 9:25:12 AM Hopefully the buyer is a resident here at FMM and we'll hear more about this interesting uke. Posted By: J Boy Shyne Date: 1/24/2015 8:21:54 AM   (Updated: 1/24/2015 8:29:11 AM) I was going to let this rest, and I probably should, but it keeps pestering me. Northern Uke, just how did the buyer get a great deal? Sure you misvalued the thing at $1200 and supplied no rationale of any kind for such a whacked out figure despite my numerous requests that you supply same. Yet, the whole time I stood at $300-$500 (as did Chuck's value of the things from over at Uke Yak). The way I see things, the buyer overpaid by $150. All along my rationale (and Chuck's) was that no one would pay Martin/Gibson money for a unknown, obscure brand from the '20s. Turns out, Chuck and I were right. Incidentally (so much better than the pedestrian, "by the way"), recently I've seen Martin and Gibson style 1s from the '20s go for under $400 on Ebay. Folks should really understand the current market before they offer uninformed opinions on the value on these mini 4 stringed git-tars that might be sought after by some FMM members and the ukulele community in general. Cheers . . . J Boy Posted By: Ukulele Rob Date: 1/24/2015 10:24:01 AM J-Boy: You hit an important factor when you talk about "FMM members and the ukulele community in general." We're actually a pretty small group (as opposed to motorcycle enthusiasts, hockey fans and quilters, for example), and the market value of anything has to take into account the size of the potential buyer population. Right now there's a huge vintage-buying demographic. Folks like me, in our 60s. When we were in our teens and playing in bands, many of us couldn't afford the top Fender, Martin or Gibson instruments. Perhaps we played Harmony or Kay guitars (or in my case, the less-expensive Fender Mustang). Now our kids are grown and gone, the mortgage is paid down, and we have some spare change. So we lust over what we didn't have, and drive up the market, chasing 60s-vintage Stratocasters or J-45s. (In my case the disease is the result of a very serious mistake I made in 1975 when I needed money to pay some bills: I sold my 1964 Gibson Hummingbird. If that guitar showed up somewhere today I'd probably spend half my savings to grab it back.) One thing we didn't do when we were in our teens was play the ukulele. (For those of us for whom the uke was our first instrument, by our teens we had "graduated" and gone on to "real" instruments, like the electric guitar or drums.) As a result, we aren't as driven when we see a vintage uke come up for sale. The baby-boomer-now-with-expendible-funds group played in surf bands, rock bands and folk groups. Not in ukulele bands. Bottom line: If the Rutan had dropped to $395, I probably would have bought it. In the meantime, if you have a '64 Hummingbird in good condition, I'm sending you a check for $5,000. Posted By: J Boy Shyne Date: 1/24/2015 12:59:41 PM   (Updated: 1/24/2015 1:16:42 PM) Why would I have a Hummungbird (or a Dove for that matter)? They're chick git-tars. Well, truth be told, I actually lost a black Hummingbird in a fire back in '86. Ya know there are three '64 Hummingbirds on ebay right now with buy it now prices of $6K. Way way over-priced if you ask me. I bet you could find one for $3K or less. Indeed, there's a '67 and a '66 each going for under $3K right now on ebay. If you're willing to waste $5K on a '64. make one of the sellers such an offer. Personally, if you ask me, that's a ton of money for such a mass produced instrument. Hey, you know what . . . it's been awhile but when's the next guy or gal gonna visit the various uke fora after discovering his/her grand daddy's long lost Poinsettia? Always the same line of nonsense too about how s/he wants to find a "good home" for this rare (and fugly) instrument and although s/he hates to do it, will sell it to the right person for the bargain price of $10,000. Oh Rob, you can't write that "we didn't play ukes in our teens," because Uncle Rufus, my dear friend, FMM member, and collector of "The Gibson" and Dobro ukes, started playing ukes in his early teens back in the days when all the other kids wanted to get Strats and be like Hendrix or SGs and be like Clapton. Posted By: Ukulele Rob Date: 1/24/2015 3:49:17 PM If by "chick" you mean folks like the wonderful Sarah Lee Guthrie, I'll be happy to put on a dress to play her H'Bird. And props to Uncle Rufus. Ian Whitcomb kept the uke alive in those days, too. As for me, after I returned to the uke at an advanced age I thought to myself, "shoot ... I wasted all those teenage years not playing ukulele!" Posted By: northern uke Date: 1/25/2015 9:17:26 PM The buyer got a great deal because that uke is as nice as the big names but undervalued because of it's less than known nameplate. But you already know that dont you J-boy? Posted By: J Boy Shyne Date: 1/26/2015 9:24:05 AM It's not undervalued, so I don't know that. Rather, you highly overvalued the thing. Whatever . . . Posted By: lakesideglenn Date: 1/26/2015 12:29:08 PM Gentlemen, This thing was a steal at 450, would have been a great deal at 750, and well worth 1000+ in terms of sound and playabilty. How do I know? Im the buyer and could not be more pleased! Cleaned the tuners and put a fresh set of Martin 600s on it and wow! Beats any Martin Ive ever played...and Ive owned and played a few as well as other notable vintage sopranos. I will most likely do a video review on UU later in the week. Sorry you naysayers...this is an outstanding uke! Posted By: J Boy Shyne Date: 1/26/2015 3:55:50 PM   (Updated: 1/26/2015 3:57:23 PM) Well, you have me to thank . . . which I haven't heard yet and which I rarely hear on FMM. I tab stuff out, explain theory, reduce the price of obscure 1920s ukes and all I get is insults. This is a very screwy place with very screwy people. Anyway, even though you haven't said it, you're welcome lakesideglenn, I'm glad I could be of service. Ya know, if you held out, I was going to get the thing down to $300, Eah, whatever, enjoy your new (old) uke in good health. Posted By: northern uke Date: 1/26/2015 7:01:20 PM Awesome! Glad you came around Glenn! It definitely looked to be a real beauty ripe for the taking. I'd love to get my hands on one now I know they exsist. Posted By: Ukulele Rob Date: 1/26/2015 8:29:49 PM All's Well That Ends Well! Take a bow, everyone, here at the modern uke equivalent of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. And J Boy: A big thank you for all you do for everyone here. Posted By: northern uke Date: 1/27/2015 12:18:52 AM Oh and J-boy, thank you for your positive contributions. I'm praying for you at temple. Posted By: J Boy Shyne Date: 1/27/2015 7:29:28 AM Well, thanks Northern Uke, but I'm still upset you called me rude in another thread, especially to an outsider. Yes, prayers for J Boys like me do belong at a temple, because according to Muttzukii's "Church Youth Program," I'm Satan. Posted By: J Boy Shyne Date: 1/27/2015 7:35:45 AM Incidentally, Muttzukii, back when "Hot Time" Harv and I were playing together, we used to do a tune just for you and your "Church Youth Program." You can hear it at https://app.box.com/s/nve6wsqe0piqw623rp1heami99vgkem8 I do hope y'all enjoy it. Posted By: northern uke Date: 1/27/2015 1:45:47 PM You do have your moments J boy. I haven't given up on you yet!

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