Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Gibson A-12??

  1. #1

    Default Gibson A-12??

    I found this craig's list ad for what's described as a Gibson A-12, but the picture clearly shows an F-style mandolin, although if you look at the scroll it's oddly not quite a scroll. Any ideas what the real story is here?

    http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/msg/1498957202.html

  2. #2
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Co. Mayo, Ireland
    Posts
    3,569

    Default Re: Gibson A-12??

    Big Joe's Guitarworks has one of those too, listed as an A-12. It's got the "lump scroll".

    http://www.bigjoesguitarworks.com/sh...%26aid%3D81%26

    Saw one of those on Gruhn's website a good while ago as well.

    Cheers,
    Jill
    2018 Girouard Concert oval A
    2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
    2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
    1969 Martin 00-18




    my Youtube channel

  3. #3
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: Gibson A-12??

    Looks a lot like the "lump scroll" A-5 made in the '70's. Perhaps a more knowledgeable Cafe-er knows the difference between A-5 and A-12? The usually authoritative Vintage Guitars summary of Gibson mandolin models, doesn't even list the A-12.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Sarasota, Florida
    Posts
    298

    Default Re: Gibson A-12??

    The lump scroll A-12 was an official model, and the subject of a wagon full of threads on the cafe. A search will lead to a handful of smiles as well, IIRC.
    Striving for mediocrity and perpetually falling short.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Gibson A-12??

    I couldn't find anything on a search for A12, but "Lump Scroll" is the magic word. I have to say, even though it is a nice price for a Gibson, it would have to sound very good for me to put up with that appendage.

  6. #6
    Registered User Tom C's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Warwick, NY
    Posts
    3,985

    Default Re: Gibson A-12??

    The oval hole version is an A-5 - yes, it's confusing with the 2 point A-5.

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Silver Spring, MD
    Posts
    61

    Default Re: Gibson A-12??

    I owned an A-12 for a while in the 80s. It sounded pretty much like a real mandolin, but it was very quiet. As I recall the top seemed very thick. It was kind of OK when miked, useless in a jam. But it was what I could afford at the time.

  8. #8
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,874

    Default Re: Gibson A-12??

    They have been discussed often. Here is one thread. Here's a thread about a lump scroll Epiphone. Here's another discussion.

  9. #9

    Default Re: Gibson A-12??

    I believe Gibson was trying to produce a more affordable mandolin but they didn't go over very well. I remember seeing those occasionally at bluegrass festivals back in the 70's. They were o.k. considering the choices at the time.

  10. #10
    Registered User jim simpson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Wheeling, WV
    Posts
    5,508

    Default Re: Gibson A-12??

    Gibson was trying to cash in on the Disney Mickey Mouse craze when they introduced the double mouse ear mandolin. You can see the similarity to the Mickey Mouse guitar in the illustration. I think the threat of a lawsuit caused Gibson to alter the mandolin to one ear only. I believe the double Mickey Mouse ear mandolin may have lasted if it hadn't suffered the Van Gogh treatment. Just another interesting footnote in Gibson history!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	MouseMandoGuitar1.JPG 
Views:	402 
Size:	85.7 KB 
ID:	48311  
    Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band

  11. #11
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,874

    Default Re: Gibson A-12??

    Somebody is going to take that as gospel.

  12. #12

    Default Re: Gibson A-12??

    I have a friend with one he got maybe 20 or more years ago.after a builder fom Alabama named Kirk shaved the top it played great ,was great sounding,and farly loud.Kirk tryed to get him to let him cut out the scroll , but he did'nt have the money.still its one of my favorite mandos.(i think the top shave cost 400.00) Scottie

  13. #13
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: Gibson A-12??

    Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars lists both the A-5 and A-12 under asymmetrical mandolins. Both made 1970-79. He lists both with lump scroll long neck, rosewood extension fingerboard. The A-5 had a fleur-de-lis on the peghead whereas the A-12 had no peghead ornament. Who knows what Gibson was really thinking back then?
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •