Just wanted to share the pics of Gibson-like instrument found in Russia. Undated, but probably made in the 1970's. Labelled Luthier M.M. Pavlov, Irkutsk. Nothing is available on this luthier in the net. Clearly made with A-style Gibson in mind. Not sure if the luthier had an actual Gibson before in his hand, could be just the photos, Gibsons were very rare birds in the USSR. Tuners used are from the old Italian or German bowlback by the look of it. No wonder, as there was shortage of good machine heads in the USSR, the ones from Soviet-made mandolins looked ugly and were rubbish. Anyway, here's the pics:
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