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Thread: Early 90's Gibson A5L

  1. #1

    Default Early 90's Gibson A5L

    Hey friends,
    I've been checking out a early 90's A5L with the label signed by Steve Carlson. It looks to be in good condition from photos I've seen. My friend has a '92 A5G that sounds awesome and is also signed by SC. I don't have the opportunity to play this mandolin but just looking for some general advice. Seems to be a very a good era for Gibson mandolins. What do you think is a reasonable price range for this mando?

    Thanks so much.

    Aaron

  2. #2
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Early 90's Gibson A5L

    Reverb has two, one listed in "good" condition for $1850:

    https://reverb.com/item/33213865-199...carlson-signed

    The other is termed "excellent" for $2200:

    https://reverb.com/item/33048357-gib...-1998-sunburst

    The former was listed two days ago, the latter ten, and both are open to offers.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
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  4. #3
    Teacher, repair person
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    Default Re: Early 90's Gibson A5L

    Not many of these floating around right now.

    I found 3 others: a 2004 model at Carter Vintage for $2850, and a 1996 custom model with extra binding and fancy fingerboard inlays for $4750 [I suppose a seller can ask anything they want to-- I'll refrain from further comment on that one]. There's also a 1996 model at Sylvan Music with a funky back seam for $2500. I'll avoid further comment on that one also.

    I'd ask for a picture of the back on the $1850 Reverb listing. New frets, 7 day return policy. Worth an email at least.

    No returns/ sold as-is on the other Reverb listing. Buy at your own risk.

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  6. #4

    Default Re: Early 90's Gibson A5L

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    Reverb has two, one listed in "good" condition for $1850:

    https://reverb.com/item/33213865-199...carlson-signed
    I owned this one for a few years. It's a good one. Decent volume with a woody tone.
    The pickguard and EVO frets were done by Steve at Cumberland Acoustics.

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  8. #5

    Default Re: Early 90's Gibson A5L

    Oh really?! That's interesting. Sounds like it has gone through a few owners, I wonder why it hasn't been a keeper?

  9. #6
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Early 90's Gibson A5L

    Quote Originally Posted by Astocek View Post
    Oh really?! That's interesting. Sounds like it has gone through a few owners, I wonder why it hasn't been a keeper?
    Because, as with other things, not everyone stops at a $2000 mandolin.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

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  11. #7

    Default Re: Early 90's Gibson A5L

    That is a fair point.

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  13. #8

    Default Re: Early 90's Gibson A5L

    Quote Originally Posted by Astocek View Post
    Oh really?! That's interesting. Sounds like it has gone through a few owners, I wonder why it hasn't been a keeper?
    I got a Duff A and that was the game changer for me.

    I would of been completely happy with the A5L, but the Duff is on a whole other level.

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  15. #9
    Registered User Bobby Hall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Early 90's Gibson A5L

    Hi Aaron,
    I have a '93 A5G that is signed by Phil Brug. I picked it up last year for $1700.00. Can't speak for the Carlson signed models but my 93 is a hoot to pick and really sounds great. In February I sent it to Bruce Weber at Montana Lutherie and had the fretboard radiused, new frets, the Florida scooped and a pickup installed. Now it's hard to put the thing away. lol

  16. #10
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Early 90's Gibson A5L

    By this morning, the $1850 one had sold. Hopefully someone here got a good deal.

    Seems to me $2000 range would be a good price for a Carlson signed Gibson. That was the asking price on Flatiron models signed by him very recently.
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
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