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Thread: Help me identify this mandolin!

  1. #1

    Default Help me identify this mandolin!

    My mom was going through a box in the attic and found this mandolin. Can anyone help identify it? “THE GIBSON”

  2. #2
    Registered User TonyEarth's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    A picture (or a few) would probably be useful here

  3. #3
    Registered User grassrootphilosopher's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    Yes, we can. So far I΄d need a glass sphere.

    Did you read about "The Gibson" mandolins (maybe online). Orville Gibson started making instruments in 1894 and founded the company in 1902. Ever since "The Gibson" has been in operation with varying success. "The Gibson" made mandolins from the start of the company. The various styles A, F etc. have all kind of atributes and ornaments. Depending on the date, style and type the value can be a couple of bucks and more than 100 thousand dollars.

    I once was riding the bus and a passenger asked me about my "cello". Another time i was asked about my "ukulele". They didn΄t even know the difference between whatever they were thinking I was carrying (machine gun?) and a mandolin.

    You΄ll get expert advice from people way more knowlegable than me. This is THE site on the internet to ask expert advice about most anything concerning mandolin.

    But as with everything. Without a minimum of information, there΄s nothing to go upon.

    It might even be, that you have a worthless piece of junk that someone taped "The Gibson" on to make it appear valuable.

    Show us something and watch the information pouring in.
    Olaf

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    If you can post a picture we can identify it.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  5. #5
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    We're off to a great start.

    If there's a label inside, it might have the model number and serial number. That information would be useful.

    Let us know if you need help posting photos.
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

    Notorious: My Celtic CD--listen & buy!

    Lyon & Healy • Wood • Thormahlen • Andersen • Bacorn • Yanuziello • Fender • National • Gibson • Franke • Fuchs • Aceto • Three Hungry Pit Bulls

  6. #6

    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    It's one of those imaginary Gibsons -- they're common. Personally, I have an imaginary F5, Loar of course, and it's a pretty good mandolin, though apparently only I can hear the sound it produces. It's in for a red sparkle refin, but I'll post pix when I get it back.

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    Every day is a gift. Sheila Lagrand's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Fingers View Post
    It's one of those imaginary Gibsons -- they're common. Personally, I have an imaginary F5, Loar of course, and it's a pretty good mandolin, though apparently only I can hear the sound it produces. It's in for a red sparkle refin, but I'll post pix when I get it back.
    If the person asking the question is not knowledgeable about mandolins, then that person has no way to know that the name "The Gibson" isn't enough to identify the instrument.
    Maybe we could reserve our snark for folks who've really earned it .
    Phoebe, my 2021 Collings MT mandolin
    Dolly, my 2021 Ibanez M522 mandolin
    Louise, my 193x SS Maxwell mandolin
    Fiona, My 2021 GSM guitar-bodied octave resonator mandolin
    Charlotte, my 2016 Eastman MDO 305 octave mandolin
    And Giuliana, my 2002 Hans Schuster 505 violin, Nehenehe, my 2021 Aklot concert ukulele,
    Annie, my 2022 Guild M-140 guitar, Joni, my 1963 Harmony 1215 Archtone archtop guitar,
    Yoko, my ca. 1963 Yamaha Dynamic No.15 guitar, and Rich, my 1959 husband.

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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    Trouble is that some people pop up with an interesting first post and never come back again. They may be frightened off by some of the comments which, if the instrument does exist, is a pity. If the o/p is still out there please give us some ore info ‘cos there are Gibsons and there are Gibsons and there are even Gibsons!

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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    While I agree that we shouldn't scare people off, the idea that an instrument can be identified by having "The Gibson" on the headstock is silly. If that was all it took there would have to be only one "The Gibson" mandolin model. A quick google search would show otherwise. I am all for trying to help people at different levels of knowledge (as many people have helped me) but a little effort, and logic, on the part of the person looking for help goes a long way.

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  14. #10
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    The OP has not logged in since the date of the OP, which is likely the date the account was created.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
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    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    Let's hope we didn't offend her (?) or scare her off, with -- in my opinion -- somewhat flippant and over-snarky responses.

    Appears to be someone who knows little about mandolins, and found through Google that there's an actual mandolin website, with dozens of well-informed and helpful people!

    So, let's be well-informed and helpful, if the OP ever dares to post again.
    Allen Hopkins
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  17. #12
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    Guessing the OP might have just opened a new account and posted here:
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...94#post1830594

    Yeah, the headstock on that mandolin doesn't say The Gibson, but the tailpiece does.
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

    Notorious: My Celtic CD--listen & buy!

    Lyon & Healy • Wood • Thormahlen • Andersen • Bacorn • Yanuziello • Fender • National • Gibson • Franke • Fuchs • Aceto • Three Hungry Pit Bulls

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    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    Not so sure. That account was started eight days before this one. And that person knows how to post photos. Puzzling, this ...

    The OP hasn't logged in since posting the OP. Hope that changes. A lot of us here are helping-out types and problems solvers. Give us enough to go on, we'll figure it out.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    They are in adjacent states. There could be a connection but there probably is not.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  20. #15
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    Ha! Well, there are two possibilities then:

    1) The mother in the story has two offspring in adjacent states, and told both of them about the mandolin. One of those offspring knows how to post photos and the other one doesn't.
    2) Two completely unrelated people in adjacent states have mothers who made a Gibson mandolin attic find around the same time.

    And the question, to borrow from Winnie-the-Pooh, is this: Which is more likely?
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

    Notorious: My Celtic CD--listen & buy!

    Lyon & Healy • Wood • Thormahlen • Andersen • Bacorn • Yanuziello • Fender • National • Gibson • Franke • Fuchs • Aceto • Three Hungry Pit Bulls

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    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    There are more than two possibilities. Also, while I appreciate your levity, I think you're a bit off. Yes, both OPs got their instruments from their mom. Only this one traces it to an attic; the other one says her mom got it from her grandma - no mention of an attic.

    And I apologize for the assumption I made concerning relative abilities for posting photos. This one made no attempt to do so; the other did, but botched it, and Scott had to make corrections.

    Ass soon as either OP rings in again, we'll know more about this. Until then, There's not a whole lot anyone can do but guess.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

  22. #17
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    Quote Originally Posted by journeybear View Post
    Only this one traces it to an attic; the other one says her mom got it from her grandma - no mention of an attic.
    Where there's a grandma, there's an attic. I mean, that's where I keep mine.
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

    Notorious: My Celtic CD--listen & buy!

    Lyon & Healy • Wood • Thormahlen • Andersen • Bacorn • Yanuziello • Fender • National • Gibson • Franke • Fuchs • Aceto • Three Hungry Pit Bulls

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    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me identify this mandolin!

    Your what, now? Your mandolin, your box, or your grandma? I'm so confused ...
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

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