To me, this is a bit of a strange looking mandolin. But what do I know, really.
What do you think?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/16559314168...MAAOSwUxli3Cco
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To me, this is a bit of a strange looking mandolin. But what do I know, really.
What do you think?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/16559314168...MAAOSwUxli3Cco
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I doubt it. Serial number is ~1922 and there were no Gibson mandolins that resembled that one back then.
That serial number was used again in 1964.
I'm editing my post with apologies to the seller. After examining pictures of several A-40's, I've determined that Gibson did use a neck joint that was squared off at the back on that model. I now believe that this is indeed a Gibson A-40 that has had a non-replica style replacement neck installed and has had the hardware changed. It appears that there has been at least some finish work above the bass f-hole.
I'm going to suggest the neck might be of European origin.
If this one was indeed regraduated, it might sound better than the average A-40, which were generally pretty weak sounding instruments.
But because A-40's in excellent original condition might bring as much as $1200 only on a really good day, I would expect the market value on this one to be significantly lower than one in original condition, even if it sounds better.
No bids yet. Maybe too high a starting point? :confused: But you can make an offer. See if he'll take, I dunno, $300. :whistling:
In other words, something really fishy here ...
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Here's the back. And then there's the background clutter. This is not how to present an instrument for sale. :disbelief:
That zero fret was never installed in any Gibson factory. The body maybe, but as Bob pointed out the neck has been replaced.
There’s a guy on ebay I think his name is Ron Hyde. If you look closely that tailpiece says Hyde. He is a real character and now I believe that he may have taken a basket case A-50 or A-40 and did his magic to it. Neck replaced and fretboard—when have we even seen a Gibson with a zero fret? There is a Gibson orange label inside the f-hole.
Takes a look at the tailpiece and inside the f-hole:
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I just checked out some Ron Hyde videos. A real character indeed.
Worth a look. It might affect what you think about that mandolin, I would say.
Yep, Ron Hyde has rebuilt a number of basket-case old Gibsons and sold them on eBay. He's not at all concerned with preserving "originality." This fits perfectly.
I was so taken with Ron Hyde that I want to put up this video of him talking about a really nice 1907 Gibson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpB4oGQx8iE
'This is not how to present an instrument for sale.'
Too true! But, very common in many of the ads I see, LOL.
I'm pretty sure this is the same exact mandolin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux9X3dxJ9p8
"It really enjoys being put back together."
Ding! Ding! Ding! Winner winner, chicken dinner! In other words - I reckon so. ;)
Awe, it features the Hyde tailpiece, that was a tell. Does he use Hyde glue? :)
Now, here's a Gibson if anyone is in doubt!
Hmmm, Gibson refrigerated mandolin there, Jim?
I'll bet it sounds really cool. :cool:
A cool mandolin, is it hard to play hot tunes on it tho.
I guess the answer to the original question is: Yes - half of it, anyway. ;) And the bigger half, at that. ;)
The focus on strict originality turns up in other collector activities, and serves a couple of purposes, one of which is market value, but, as in other areas, in order to generate concours material, other instruments, cars, furniture, etc. wind up being sacrificed for parts or scrapped instead of preserved.
While this process provides entertainment and income for some, it’s good to know that others, like this guy, are able and interested to keep good things functional, and in this case, playable, which just might be something one might enjoy.
Yeah, yeah, but when is an instrument, originally made by Gibson, no longer eligible to be advertised as such??
There are thousands of "Gibson" 5-string banjos, that started out as tenors, or plectrums, or guitar-banjos (I own a GB-3 "ball bearing" Mastertone conversion), that acquired non-Gibson necks along the way, when the tenor banjo fad declined and all the aspiring bluegrassers wanted Mastertones "like Earl's."
My main guitar looks like a Martin 00-42, but it's a 1940 00-28G classical that got re-topped and re-necked to become a steel-string. Is it still a Martin, after some luthier got done remaking it?
So, assuming this one started life as an A-40, what is it now, with a replacement neck, zero-fretted, and who-knows-what other mods? Still has the Gibson label ––
well, so does my "Martin" have the original model number stamped inside, and my "RB-3" banjo have the original label. But, really, what are they?
Well, neither the seller nor the luthier denies the neck has been replaced. I'm no expert in these matters, but I'd like to believe that the body being made by Gibson makes it a Gibson - modified considerably, but that Gibson-made sound chamber sounds like a Gibson.
He says it's an A-50, by the way. The luthier, that is, not the seller, who just says "A-style."
Yes, when does it stop being a Gibson? I have an axe that belonged to my grandfather. My father broke the handle and had to replace it, the head wore out so I replaced that but it’s still my grandfather’s axe!
indeed a question for the ages:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_Theseus
It is part Gibson but all mandolin.