A-4 just put up in the Classifieds

[Capt. E]

Advert in Classifieds no. 103453 says it is a 1924 snakehead A-4 but the photo is definitely a paddle head. Wrong photo?

[Gary Hedrick]

I have seen instruments come up from time to time with paddle heads in the snakehead period and vice versa (a 1928 snakehead for an example)....Part of Gibson's lack of consistency and use of what's there?

Also I was talking to a Gibson expert on this subject a few days ago and he was pointing out that Gibson was quite willing to make custom instruments in those days so some of the "odd" instruments we see are likely just a customer's desire for a specific detail.

[lenf12]

The ad doesn't use the word "snakehead" although the price does seem to imply it.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Jim Garber]

The ad doesn't use the word "snakehead" although the price does seem to imply it.

The specs mention it:

Headstock Shape: Snake Head

I looked in the Archives and there are a few paddleheads Loar era ovals. Usually they would be from '22 or '23 tho. I wonder if this is actually earlier than '24. Here's one.

It does sound like the specs are Loar era nonetheless, with a nut width of 1-1/6".

[pops1]

My '22 is a paddle head with the wide neck. Has the truss rod and does not sound at all like the '18 I had before. I specifically wanted this year as it still had the wide neck and truss rod.

[lenf12]

The specs mention it: Headstock Shape: Snake Head

Ah, thanks Jim. I missed that.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[jaycat]

The photo may or may not be wrong, but the price sure is, either way.

[Gary Hedrick]

But the picture, when you blow it up shows a paddle head instrument.

- - - Updated - - -

The photo may or may not be wrong, but the price sure is, either way.

So what is a correct price for a snakehead A4?

[Jim Garber]

Snakehead A-4s right now are listed at most vintage dealers for somewhere between $6000-7000. Whether they sell for that much is something else but all the ones I have seen eventually do sell and I doubt it is for a fraction of the price. Not sure if the paddlehead reduces the retail price but the seller is selling for less, so maybe.

[sgarrity]

The snakehead A4s and the A2Z got WAY overpriced for awhile. You can find them in the $4,500-5,500 range, especially from private sellers.

[mandotool]

They are moving pretty good in some of the brick and mortar stores over here..

Retrofret just sold a nice virzi A-4 snake @ 7.2K I believe..
they have another nice one thats now on hold that was @ 7K ..
T.R. Crandall had one that sold a little while back for 7+K or so ...? ...
So it really is depending on alot of factors...condition,virzi or non,maple vs birch back, or (rare) flame maple back..
and of course the most important thing...how it sounds in your hands.
This guy seem seems to like em..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyOv5VdOKpk

[Gary Hedrick]

Remember we don't know exactly what the instrument sold for....they were asking $xxxxx and it sold...they don't tell you for what.