NW Folklife Fest instrument auction

Subject: NW Folklife Fest instrument auction
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 02:00 PM

This year was the first time I went to the auction and I was startled at the low prices some guitars went for. All you guitar freaks would go nuts.

I was looking at a little parlor guitar that had a wonderful sound. I was outbid in about 50 seconds, of course, but now I think better of my own taste. It was made by Jerry Nolte, unknown to me, koa wood, and went for $750. Only 2 others guitars sold for more: one Gibson, for $950, that somebody said went for twice that on eBay, and a custom job with f-holes shaped like dolphins and ebony inlay.

I may have shot myself in the foot by asking all the luthiers next door in the emporium if they had ever heard of Jerry Nolte guitars. Mudjack noticed that one too.

By the way, the picture of me in the picture gallery has me with Mudjack's dog.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife Fest instrument auction
From: ollaimh
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 10:13 PM

so tell me did they have any harps?

i used to go the auction every year and often found goodies at good prices, but i'm too far away to go now

Subject: RE: NW Folklife Fest instrument auction
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 10:16 PM

HeyaMAG, kewl picture and dawg! So, did you wind up buying anything? Can you tell us more about this auction. I've never heard of it before, sorry.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: NW Folklife Fest instrument auction
From: Benjamin
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 02:21 AM

I got out bidded for a banjo. It went for $300. I still haven't learned how to frail the darn thing!

Subject: RE: NW Folklife Fest instrument auction
From: John P
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 09:31 AM

Ollaimh, they had one harp, an older Dusty Strings that had been badly trashed and will need a lot of repair before it is really usuable. I don't know how much it went for; I hope it wasn't much.

John

Subject: RE: NW Folklife Fest instrument auction
From: John P
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 09:33 AM

A few years ago I put a mandolin in the auction. I had paid $85 for it as a new instrument a couple of years before, and it was worth every penny. While I had it I broke the nut. I put it in the auction "as is" and it sold for $150. Go figure.

John

Subject: RE: NW Folklife Fest instrument auction
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 08:35 PM

Kat, I only bid on the guitar I was interested in having, and it was probably much too good for the purpose I intended. I don't know enough about these things, and besides, I want to get my own computer at home. I was just astounded that another Gibson went for $175 -- in good condition.

John P., are you the John I met next door at Dusty Strings? Sorry we couldn't chat longer, but y'all were swamped, and they were closing. MAG (Mary Ann)

Subject: RE: NW Folklife Fest instrument auction
From: John P
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 08:39 AM

MAG,
Yep, that was me. I often notice that when I work at Folklife I get to see and meet lots of people, but trying to have a conversation in that room is almost impossible. Oh well, that's not what I'm being paid to do there anyway.

John