Ratliff R-5 Mandolin 1991

Serial number 0104 confirms that this instrument is a very early, highly desirable piece of Ratliff Mandolin History. Luthier Audey Ratliff numbers his instruments sequentially. Since he started building professionally in 1982 and reached his 1,000th build in 2008, #104 falls perfectly into his first decade of production.

The "Magic" Number: In luthiery, breaking past the 50-to-100 build milestone is widely considered the sweet spot where a maker's skills have fully matured, yet they are still pouring massive individual time into every instrument.

Edit thanks to eagle eyed potential buyer: there is a repair that was done to part of the instrument. I have added photos and updated the price. However, we are always happy to entertain offers!!

Ratliff Mandolins is a renowned, small-shop luthier in Church Hill, Tennessee, specializing in handcrafted mandolins, including F-style, A-style, mandolas, and octave mandolins, known for high quality and custom options, with instruments available directly or through dealers. Founded by left-handed mandolinist Audey Ratliff in 1982, the business grew from a need for left-handed instruments and has built a global reputation for traditional craftsmanship. 

This beautiful mandolin is an item from my uncle’s estate. I don’t know much about it. I do know that he stored his instruments very carefully.