I posted:
Jerry wrote about Weigle and Sachs frames, as compared to Confente frames:
"I don't think the happy fact that both these guys are still with us and still building completely accounts for that.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Houston, TX"
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Uh, actually, Jerry, it does account for that, completely and entirely. And if you ever try to buy a Confente in any kind of competitive-purchase situation, you will see that this is so.
{snip}
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If Jerry was referring to Carlsbad Masis, rather than actual Confentes, all the same points hold true, to a lesser degree with regard to rarity...but, I'll repeat what's been mentioned recently: there were about 1200 pressed-lug Carlsbad Masi GCs made, in all sizes. That makes them rare. Not as rare as a Confente, but rare enough.
Italian-made GCs are around, but it sure seems like many fewer of those came into the country at that time. So they're rather rare too.
Try finding one of either. In your size. In clean, original paint. It's no picnic.
I might also point out--purely subjective statement incoming--that the Witcombs I've seen looked rather crude to me, and certainly crude compared to *any* Carlsbad Masi GC.
And, it's tough to discount racing history and herd-mentality. In the mid 70s, in my neck of the woods, nearly all of the successful Cat 1 and 2 racers raced on Masi GCs.
No doubt if there's a place in the US where guys raced Witcombs heavily, then Witcombs might be far more desirable there even now, than a Masi would be. I doubt it, but it might be so.
Charles Andrews
SoCal