Gibson A on Ebay - unique pickguard, etc.

[jim simpson]

You never know what you'll see on Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1915-THE-GIB...oAAOSwKfVXIVjd

[F-2 Dave]

Not a bad price for a player, but geeez, that pick guard.....

[Roger Moss]

Yeah that is one butt-ugly pickguard. I would be concerned about all those cracks. Might it not rattle? Sound otherwise compromised?

[allenhopkins]

At $400 buy-it-now it's worth a shot, even needing repairs. Half or less of what a VG-condition A-2 would bring. And "improvements" like the gaudy pickguard and the bling-y rosette actually give it its unique character, if they don't detract acoustically. You could visualize a guy with a thin mustache, slicked-back hair, and a lemon-yellow tuxedo playing this one in a 1930's night club, in a combo backing up a girl singer. Or maybe a dude in chaps and a Stetson, alongside an accordion, an arch-top guitar, and a dog-house bass, playing for dances at the American Legion, "round and square dancing" as they used to say in my parts.

I'm not taking a flier at it, since I have enough vintage Gibsons, but I'd love to know its history.

[plinkey]

That "custom" pickguard would be the least of my concerns. I'd worry much more about the top cracking and caving in. In addition, that shoddily done soundhole rosette (pearl ?) would have to be replaced with something less jarring on the eye.

[August Watters]

I'd be worried about the photo of the top with pickguard removed -- looks as if there's also significant top sinkage. If so, that plus the cracks add up to serious structural damage. Strings are off-center, and position of top sinkage indicates likely failed brace within.
I doubt this is in playable condition, or fixable within limits of resale value.

Notice the sellers says it "shows well" (nothing about the sound) and "may be a reasonable candidate for restoration." Caveat Emptor!

[Jeff Mando]

Still for sale! (NFI on my part) Seems like a fair price for a project. Needs a lot of work, but the tailpiece and tuners should be worth close to 75% of the price.

[barney 59]

Still for sale! (NFI on my part) Seems like a fair price for a project. Needs a lot of work, but the tailpiece and tuners should be worth close to 75% of the price.

I was thinking the same thing, great project for an amateur luthier and I'm surprised it's still there. This is one you can tear into and if you flub it you don't have to worry about the history police coming to get you!