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Thread: information needed for Gibson A4

  1. #1

    Default information needed for Gibson A4

    A buddy of mine has a Gibson A4, serial number 19216 in good condition, wanting to know year and good selling price. Thank you for any help.

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  2. #2

    Default Re: information needed for Gibson A4

    1914 seems likely- look at this page below:

    http://www.mandolinarchive.com/perl/...ins.pl?all:15:

    I can't comment on price but A4s are popular. Do some searching for sold examples but I am sure someone here will comment- $2,000- $3,000 would seem reasonable- it has its original case, the mandolin is all original with Handel tuners but Ii can't be exact but it appears to have plenty going for it.

    HERE IS ONE AD:https://reverb.com/uk/item/38471150-...lin-black-1911

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  4. #3
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: information needed for Gibson A4

    This mandolin was shipped in 1913, according to Spann's Guide to Gibson, making at among the first A4s to have a fretboard extension. The case is correct for the period. The photos don't show any obvious repairs or replaced hardware, and apart from some wear along the edge near the tailpiece it seems to be in pretty good shape. It's always a good idea to have an old mandolin checked out by a luthier for a loose brace, open seams, top sink, or other problems that may not be readily apparent.

    If you look inside the mandolin you should find a 4-digit factory order number stamped on the neck block, likely between 2200 and 2600. This would confirm the year of manufacture (as opposed to the serial number, which indicates the shipment year). I always thought extended fretboards didn't show up on A4s until 1914, but I guess I was off by a year.

    Blackface A4s from this period have their charms, and the fretboard extension probably adds a little value, but they seem to be less in demand than the later red sunburst A4s. If this were from 1922 and had a truss rod it would likely be worth $3.5K or more; a snakehead A4 from 1923 or 1924 could be worth more than $5K. At most this would probably sell for $2.5K, and you might get that price only upon consignment to a dealer who would take a percentage of it.
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  6. #4
    Teacher, repair person
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    Default Re: information needed for Gibson A4

    According to Spann's Guide to Gibson, the mandolin has a 1913 serial number.
    A well-known vintage dealer might be able to get as much as $3000 on a really good day, a private seller will probably have to settle for somewhat less.
    If it were mine to sell, I might ask $2500, maybe a little more. The mandolin does appear to be in quite nice condition, and appears to be all original.

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  8. #5
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    Default Re: information needed for Gibson A4

    Don't we all just love the expertise residing in the Cafe?

  9. #6
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: information needed for Gibson A4

    Quote Originally Posted by Denny Gies View Post
    Don't we all just love the expertise residing in the Cafe?
    I would only add to this to say (1) that the classified ads here are an excellent and safe place to sell and instrument and (2) if you do sell be sure to donate the suggested reasonable asking fee of 2% of the selling price.
    Jim

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