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Thread: Dating a Gibson Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Dating a Gibson Mandolin

    Can anyone help me figuring out the details and value of this mandolin please? The seller told me it is a 1898 mandolin. I’m a guitar player and I’ve never owned a mandolin before but this person asked me if I wanted to buy it. I have no idea what the value is. Looks to be a A-3 but not sure. The stamp has 3732 on the label in the sound hole and on the head it has “The Gibson” on it only. No other inlays. I wish I could add pics to post.

  2. #2
    Teacher, repair person
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    Default Re: Dating a Gibson Mandolin

    3732 is a 1905 serial number. If correct, that would have been Gibson's first year of factory production.
    A Gibson built that early should have a label that includes a picture of Orville Gibson.

    If it has no ornamental inlay in the head other than the logo, it is not an A-3. It might be an A-1.
    We will need pictures to confirm the period of manufacture and identify the model.
    Last edited by rcc56; Feb-19-2023 at 6:42pm.

  3. #3
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dating a Gibson Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by chrislohrcdm View Post
    I wish I could add pics to post.
    Do you mean that you don't have pics, or that you don't know how to add them?

  4. #4

    Default Re: Dating a Gibson Mandolin

    My wife thinks I’m dating a Gibson Mandolin.

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  6. #5

    Default Re: Dating a Gibson Mandolin

    This mandolin is very close to yours in terms of its serial number. As you are having trouble with photos- the two at this listing may confirm it to be the same as the mandolin you seek to identify: http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/3728

    It has alrady been stated that your mandolin, as described, is not an A-3. The one at the link is listed as an A while an A-1 would have an additional fleur de lis motif on the pickguard.

  7. #6
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dating a Gibson Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Josh Levine View Post
    My wife thinks I’m dating a Gibson Mandolin.
    And I really have to pay for the experience.
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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    Default Re: Dating a Gibson Mandolin

    can you look inside the sound hole on the first date or is that considered rude?
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  10. #8
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dating a Gibson Mandolin

    I complimented my mandolin on its tailpiece, but only after I bought it some new strings.
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

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  11. #9
    Registered User Eric Hanson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dating a Gibson Mandolin

    “ My wife thinks I’m dating a Gibson Mandolin.”

    I thought something very similar when I saw the OP title.

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