Hi,
We may be a step closer to solving the Gibson riddle. To start, I am no mandolin expert. I've written about and photographed vintage guitars for years and have a solid knowledge-base there. I mainly love and collect old Gibson and Martin guitars from 1927-1943. My real true love is Gibson acoustics from the 30s. And, man, are they odd. I have a 1932 L-00 12 fret that is translucent brown. Looks black. When you get it in the light, it's brown. My dealer friends have only found one other (same batch). It's all original. Even have a picture of the original owner's daughter learning to play on it! I have an early all mahogany 14 fret L-00 with an elevated fretboard (less rare, but rare) and have had banners with maple sides and a mahogany back- you name it. It was all fair game. I guess my point, and I'm hardly the first to make it, is that Gibson did things on the fly. They were trying to sell instruments and make them move. The idea of the scrap guitar (or mandolin) has been proven time and time again.
So, I recently bought this black 1923 A2 from Charles Johnson. It sounds great. All parts are original. Sounds incredible. Played to DEATH. Plays great. He sold it as an A2 with all the A2Z features (but it has plain white binding around the top. Cool.
Then, I looked at the label this morning (with my glasses finally on). Clear as day (a faded day): A2Z on the label with the serial number 74795. Now I remember hearing of another black a2z from this batch but never saw the label.
The black finish has been authenticated by 3 of the most experienced vintage dealers that I know. Plus, it has the same exact look and character as another black A from the same period that I had. Everything from the headstock to the body phosphoresces the same way- nice glowing green (under blacklight). So, this is the finish it's been wearing since the factory.
Of course, if you look at the arm wear area, you see a pumpkin top under the black (or some sealer coat before the black)! My pal Tom Crandall (TR Guitars) said this is very common (Statman's had this too, I think, but his label said A2). They pull a natural top off the line and paint it black if someone requested one. He's seen a ton of that from this period. I always wonder if they did a natural A2Z and found a wood flaw and painted it black to hide it. That's my guess.
But, the top binding is white. So, A2Z features and label but white binding- Gibson! Maybe they wouldn't put black/white binding on a black instrument. Did they rebind it at the factory before shooting it black? Was it natural with white binding from the start?
I guess that's what's so cool about the company and this era. Regardless, it's staying with me. Best snakehead I've heard (isn't that what we all say?!). And, I can now aspire to play as well as Mr. Statman (a guy can dream). Anyway, I'm sure the people with real knowledge will add their thoughts.
Hope everyone is staying safe and keeping themselves sane with music!
Brian
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