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Thread: Why did Gibson mess the A5-L up before they killed it off?

  1. #26
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    Default Re: Why did Gibson mess the A5-L up before they killed it off?

    I love everything about my '89 A5-L. The sound was a little weak when I got it in 8/16, but the harder and more I play it, the more it gives. I also prefer the original shape over what I call the "pear" shape. Just my .02c.

    Roscoe Morgan
    2019 Duff A-5 #246
    1964 Martin A

  2. #27
    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why did Gibson mess the A5-L up before they killed it off?

    From the pictures, it looks like the new design was meant to give you access to more frets - something I don't care about but someone must. Sure looks strange, though.

  3. #28
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    Default Re: Why did Gibson mess the A5-L up before they killed it off?

    Remembered that I asked this same question of the cafe back in 2004 - Charlie was nice enough to respond!

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...-A-5L-Question

  4. The following members say thank you to Wolfbane Stevens for this post:


  5. #29
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    Default Re: Why did Gibson mess the A5-L up before they killed it off?

    Quote Originally Posted by HoGo View Post
    The change from A5L to modern came with change of tooling. They used the same pre-carved plates for A as for F during the Derrington era, they just CUT AWAY already carved scroll and points. I will try to find picture where it is visible.
    The A-5L had slightly different arch.
    The original Griffit A-5 is slightly larger and longer making the area behind the bridge even larger.
    So, there was no acoustic or structural or design reason? Just to avoid having to use different tooling? Wild.

  6. #30
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    Default Re: Why did Gibson mess the A5-L up before they killed it off?

    Quote Originally Posted by Wolfbane Stevens View Post
    Remembered that I asked this same question of the cafe back in 2004 - Charlie was nice enough to respond!

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...-A-5L-Question
    Thanks for that! Too bad Charlie barely dipped the oar in there, other than to point out that the F and A body shapes were conformed. What HoGo posted makes all the more sense now. Sounds like ease of production trumped. If they felt that strongly about the dovetail joint, they could have just put it in the other body shape.

  7. #31
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    Default Re: Why did Gibson mess the A5-L up before they killed it off?

    Quote Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein View Post
    From the pictures, it looks like the new design was meant to give you access to more frets - something I don't care about but someone must. Sure looks strange, though.
    Somehow I don't think that's it. i kinda doubt there's enough difference for it to matter.

  8. #32
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    Default Re: Why did Gibson mess the A5-L up before they killed it off?

    Quote Originally Posted by fernmando View Post
    I love everything about my '89 A5-L. The sound was a little weak when I got it in 8/16, but the harder and more I play it, the more it gives. I also prefer the original shape over what I call the "pear" shape. Just my .02c.

    Roscoe Morgan
    I love mine, too. Great instrument. Though I didn't like the original neck and had it speednecked, which was perfect for me.

  9. #33
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    Default Re: Why did Gibson mess the A5-L up before they killed it off?

    Quote Originally Posted by HoGo View Post
    Here is one pic (courtesy of Frank Ford of frets.com), you can see where the point was cut off...
    This is amazing — thank you.

  10. #34
    Adrian Minarovic
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    Default Re: Why did Gibson mess the A5-L up before they killed it off?

    Quote Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein View Post
    From the pictures, it looks like the new design was meant to give you access to more frets - something I don't care about but someone must. Sure looks strange, though.
    It's quite opposite, the older (A-5L) design had more "cutaway" at the fingerboard extension than the new design. Neck joints were at 15th fret on both.
    Adrian

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