Vintage Gibson Shot of the Day (or week)

[ourgang]

Here's my "go to" trio and although one is not a Gibson (Duff H-5 mandola), they all play together very well.



Len B.
Clearwater, FL

What model is the mandolin in the center?

[lenf12]

What model is the mandolin in the center?

It's a 1956 F-12 (s/n A24586, FON V-6292) that apparently went back to Gibson at some point (I suspect during the early to mid 1970's) for a neck replacement. The "new" neck is maple rather than mahogany with the F-5 headstock leading me to conclude it's a replacement rather than an original variation on their standard specs from 1956. It appears that Gibson or the then owner elected to re-use the original fingerboard. I have owned this mandolin for about 10 years and sent it off to Randy Wood to have it revoiced (regraduate the top and back) and the tone bars (logs) replaced with properly sized and tuned tone bars. This work was done in 2008 and is one of the best decisions I've made to improve its tone and volume. This mandolin is soft and sweet or loud and mean and everything in between. It also has that checked nitro lacquer finish that just exudes vintage mojo imho. I love it!!! Thanks for asking "ourgang".

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[pfox14]

The paddlehead guitar is a 1903 Style O. It is serial number 2623 and has the build features of Orville Gibson's original instruments. There is an L-3(refinished) there however. It is between the Special #7 and the later Style O in the first pic. Paul, I know your definitly familiar with one of my other Gibsons (having given it it's nick name).

Phil

Would that happen to be your "cat's eye" special?

[ourgang]

Thanks Len. Kind of what I was thinking. Nice mando for sure. A friend of mine played a great F-12 from the 50's.

[Mike Black]

Here are a few Gibson's that were hanging around the house.



1919-H2, 1922-F2, 1924-A4, 1924-F2 & 1928-F2

[Jim Garber]

There are some fine looking sofas in this thread!

[Mike Snyder]

Which Gibson is your keeper, Mike?

[Mike Black]

Which Gibson is your keeper, Mike?

Only the H2 and A4 are mine. The A4 blows them all out of the water.

[Mike Romkey]

Wow! You'll have to get those out next time.

[Mike Black]

Updated and finalized!



1919-H2, 1922-F2, 1923-F4 and 1924-A4