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Thread: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    This mandolin has been in our family a while but no one now plays it. I would like to know how old it is, if it looks to be in good condition, possible value and any other observations.
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    Last edited by LostRoads; Apr-08-2017 at 8:32pm. Reason: added 3 photos

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    Looks to be an A-4 that has been refinished and has all the hardware replaced. Might play nice but neither of those things are good for the value.

    Phil

  3. #3
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    I don't know. Everything looks wrong to me, aside from the refinish: the inlays, the fleur-de-lis, the rosette. It looks like a Japanese or Korean knock-off from maybe the 1970s. This photos are kinda small. It might help to post larger ones so we can see detail. I can't tell if that Gibson logo on the peghead is even an inlay or not.
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    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    This photos are kinda small. It might help to post larger ones so we can see detail. I can't tell if that Gibson logo on the peghead is even an inlay or not.
    My first response was made quickly looking at the small pics on my phone. My opinion might change after seeing it on a full size screen.

    Phil

  5. #5
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    In the least, it was refinshed, re-rosetted or re-topped and the fretboard had added inlays or it was replaced altogether. I am still guessing a "lawsuit" model from the far east in the glorious era when these were popular, 1970s or so.
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  6. #6
    Registered User f5loar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    This should have had a label inside with serial no. on it. If not it should have the FON stamped on the inside up at the neck block. Give us these numbers and we can date it for you. You will need a strong flashlight to see the number stamped on the upper block inside. Works best in a dark closet. With no truss rod it is pre 1921 A-4 model but with refinish, new fingerboard, new tuners and new tailpiece cover.

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    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    Replaced bridge as well, of course.

    Is that soundhole rosette correct? Shouldn't it be a ring of Ivoroid between two rings of herringbone purling?

    The photo makes the center ring look like Pearloid, which would probably be later, if installed by the factory...(?)

    Awful lot of anomalies, IMHO.
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    That is what I said, Allen! I hope that OP LostRoads did not get lost on his roads and comes back with some decent pictures and maybe a serial number. I still think this is a verboten "Gibson" copy from the terrible Lawsuit Seventies. Yes a lot of anemones...er...anomalies.
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  10. #9

    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    That is what I said, Allen! I hope that OP LostRoads did not get lost on his roads and comes back with some decent pictures and maybe a serial number. I still think this is a verboten "Gibson" copy from the terrible Lawsuit Seventies. Yes a lot of anemones...er...anomalies.
    I'll be back with more pictures at the end of the week. It does have a Gibson label inside, I need to get a closer look at it. Thanks everybody for your comments so far.

  11. #10
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    If you can, please post a photo of the label as well as larger photos like the ones you already posted.
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  12. #11

    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    The label inside says it is a Gibson A4 number 48764 I will try to
    attach more photos, hope they are better.

  13. #12

    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    More photos of the A4 serial number 48764 (hard to read label but I'm 99% sure)
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  14. #13

    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    It is definitely an inlay please look at the new photos

  15. #14
    Dan Scullin dscullin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by LostRoads View Post
    It is definitely an inlay please look at the new photos
    If this truly is a Gibson, the serial number would indicate 1918 as the year of manufacture.
    Dan Scullin
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  16. #15
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    It has definitely been reworked. From the SN# we can say made around 1918. Non-original rosette, fretboard inlay, bridge, tuners and tailpiece cover (I think). Otherwise, the top has been refinished but the rest could be original including. I guess I would wonder why the rosette would need to be replaced. Someone wanted to fancy up the fretboard, for sure.

    Here's an all-original A4 from that same year for comparison (from the Archive):

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    Note the rosette.
    Last edited by Jim Garber; Apr-12-2017 at 3:42pm.
    Jim

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  17. #16
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    Smells like one of the "thanks for sending it back to us" overhaul projects from the '70's to me.
    That was the norm back then, refinish, replace FB, etc., make it looks like we just made it. Sad but true.
    There wasn't anyone there with much appreciation for the caliber of workmanship from the old days. "Spray it, buff it, throw it back"
    Timothy F. Lewis
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  18. #17
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    Default Re: Would appreciate information about this Gibson mandolin

    Can't be sure, but it looks like the neck might have been re-profiled as well.

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