This is a like new, high quality Mid Missouri M-16 mandola. The back and sides are made of more costly and somewhat hard to find rosewood. The top is spruce. This is a perfect instrument for Celtic and is also great for Classical, Italian, and even bluegrass. It was retailing in the $900 to $1000 range according to my research. (The company closed it's doors due to a factory fire at some point and I understand they have reopened as Big Muddy--see question below from a fellow ebayer who was kind enough to share this information). In addition I have had an internal piezo pickup installed so the instrument can be plugged into a sound system which should increase it's value further. So I am starting the bids at about half that price. This is the last of three mandolin family instruments I have had up for sale on ebay (see my reviews and satisfaction ratings). The sound is a hearty woody tone you will love. It has a great voicing especially for a celtic flat top mandola. I will include a new set of strings in the sale. Free shipping is offered at the Buy It Now Price (buyer pays shipping at lower auction price--buyer option on preferred shipping mode and expense; I will only charge actual cost to me for shipping). THIS IS AN AWESOME INSTRUMENT--BID WITH CONFIDENCE
Additional Info--Description and Endorsement from Mandolin Brothers Website:
"We think the world of these classically simple but extremely well made instruments produced by Midwestern craftspersons with tremendous talent and a sense of humor. They (the mandolins, not the craftspersons) are made of all solid woods and are hand-crafted from start to finish."
M-16 Solid Morado rosewood back and sides (from the Andean Mountains of Bolivia). Solid Engelmann spruce top. Ebony fretboard and bridge. The scale length is l5 3/4" and it's tuned a fifth below a mandolin at CGDA.
UPDATE: I have been able to take the time and do a top to bottom detail on the instrument. (I am a part time luthier). Frets have been dressed and polished. The entire instrument has been polished and I have verified that everything is in new condition. I will install the new set of strings so all you will need to do is tune and play! . Neck is straight and true. Action is just right and intonation is perfect. The result is a well aged mandola that produces a wonderful mature sound but looks like a brand new instrument.
11/28--I checked with our local folklore center and was quoted a retail price of $950 for the new M-16 mandola made by Big Muddy.