2004 Johann (Hans) Brentrup 23V "F" style Mandolin

2004 Brentrup 23V #80471-I custom made "F" style mandolin w/case

This lovely '04 F style mandolin was built by Minnesota luthier Johann (Hans) Brentrup (now retired) as a custom order. The 23V retailed at the time for $8900 and features highly figured maple back and sides, solid spruce top, maple neck, ebony fret board, bridge and bound pick guard, pearl headstock inlay, bound fret board, gold James tail piece and gold finish Waverly tuners with ebony buttons. The instrument is finished with violin varnish rather than lacquer, giving the mandolin a much thinner finish and allowing greater resonance. The workmanship is exquisite and the materials are top shelf in every detail of this mandolin. Cosmetic and structural condition are excellent+. The mandolin was not played a great deal by the original owner, it spent most of the time in its case. There is one small finish nick in the varnish of the top near the tail piece, visible in the pics, that is the only cosmetic issue I can find other than some very light/superficial finish abrasions here and there that are almost not worth mentioning. There is the slightest hint of fret wear in the first position but nothing that requires any attention. There is no wear to the finish on the neck. The neck is straight and action good. The nut width is 1 1/8" and width of the board at the 12th fret is 1 1/2". The gently radiused fret board aids in the ease of playability. The tone of the mandolin is good, but as it has not yet experienced a lot of playing hours it has yet to mature. It needs to be played and will most surely get better as it does. I have a sound file available on request so you can hear how it sounds now (quite good). The mandolin comes with a standard hard shell case, the fit is snug but it works. I have a Pegasus case that will work for this mandolin that is available at additional cost. $6950 + shipping, NYS buyers add 8% sales tax.