Gibson 1936 Centruy model -- pretty!

[Bernie Daniel]

Pretty looking vintage Gibson -- someone should buy this!

[Goodin]

Not for that price.

[Jim Garber]

I played one years ago and they are 1930s Gibsons and not much to my taste. I will admit that I have not played one recently and might feel different about it now.

I do own the '37 guitar version which is a nice one and as a collector it would be nice to have a set, along with the Hawaiian guitar version as well, however, that will not happen any time soon. The other thing to bear in mind is that that pearloid fretboard is a real pain to do a full refretting on, or so says my luthier.

[Bernie Daniel]

Not for that price.

Not sure how the price affects the appearance ... but I suppose it is as with all things the value is what someone will pay for it.

[Jason Kessler]

That IS different. Very deco, especially the headstock. Does seem overpriced, but I suppose rarity should be taken into account.

[barney 59]

I have played two of these-- I believe they had flat backs. They are very cool looking but I didn't think they sounded very good. They also produced a guitar with the same features--they don't sound too good either.

[barney 59]

I recognized the seller and in fact I believe I played this very one.These are definately a fergazy mandolin and not common and might impress your friends, but to play, almost any other mandolin by Gibson would be my choice.

[Jim Garber]

They also produced a guitar with the same features--they don't sound too good either.

Of course, that is your opinion... I do agree with you on the mandolin but I haven't played one in years. and was never really fond of most 1930s and later Gibson mandolins. The L-Century guitars are quite nice sounding, lightly built like similar L- series small flattops of the period and highly collectable as well. Thye go for considerably more than the mandolin in the vintage market. Why, even Frank Ford likes these.

[Mandolin Mick]

That is one beautiful mandolin! I love diamond inlay!

[barney 59]

I can't say that I have had the opportunity to play many vintage Century of Progress guitars, maybe two, and never have I played or seen in person the reissue but the ones I did play in my opinion weren't as good as the "L" series guitars from that vintage that didn't have the pearloid. I do however think they are really great looking. I went way out of my way to track a couple down when I became aware of them because they looked so cool. AS a collectible instrument I would love to have either one --mandolin or guitar.


To say that they didn't sound good was maybe out of line but "not as good as" was what I meant to say and of course that is just a subjective opinion and doesn't really mean anything. By the way to anyone who may have an interest in the mandolin the seller is, I believe, on the up and up. Calls his business something like BearPaw music and he's out of Alameda Ca. Seemed like a nice guy and sometimes has some pretty nice stuff. I've run into him at shows.




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[Mandolin Mick]

Hey guys- how often does one of these Gibson Century Mandolins appear on Ebay or elsewhere?

[Jason Kessler]

Norman Blake plays a 1933 Century Guitar on the album "Be Ready, Boys," a record of duets with Rich O'Brien.

[barney 59]

Hey guys- how often does one of these Gibson Century Mandolins appear on Ebay or elsewhere?

Not often--probably not one than one or two per year on ebay,if that. These are rare and I think highly collectible. This price is pretty high but maybe not out of line.You'll pay close to $2500 for a good A4 and they are pretty common compared to these. If
I was in the market for this---set backs have pretty much put me out of the market ,period, I would be getting in touch with this guy, he seems like someone that you can negotiate with.

[barney 59]

Hey guys- how often does one of these Gibson Century Mandolins appear on Ebay or elsewhere?

Maybe not more than one or two per year on ebay,if that. These are rare and highly collectible. The price he's asking is high but maybe not out of line. A good A4 will likely cost you $2500 and they are quite common compared to these. If I was in the market -set backs have put me out of the market, period---I'd be getting in touch with this guy ,he seems like someone that might negotiate.

[Mandolin Mick]

I have contacted him and am awaiting a reply ...

[Mandolin Mick]

Well ... it's mine!

[barney 59]

You lucky dog --it's a purdy one for sure!

[Bernie Daniel]

Well ... it's mine!

Cool! I was wondering if some Cafe member might not jump on it!!

[Fretbear]

Norman Blake plays a 1933 Century Guitar on the album "Be Ready, Boys," a record of duets with Rich O'Brien.

Blake actually owns both a "Century of Progress" mandolin and guitar in a matched set.

[Jim Garber]

Well ... it's mine!

Congratulations, Mick!! let us know your impressions when you have it in hand.

[Mandolin Mick]

Bernie Daniel-

Thanx for this thread or I might've missed this one! I love the diamond inlay, and that mother-of-pearl fretboard is so unique I just had to go for it! As you can see, I've changed my Avatar.

Also, thanx for your reply to my Bill Monroe & Carl Story thread!

[Bernie Daniel]

Glad you snagged it Mick! I was pretty taken with that spiffy look as well but I have run my mandolin account seriously into the red these last few weeks!!

Didn't you think the story by the eBay seller was nicely done? I can certainly imagine how impressed folks were with both celluloid and pearloid back in their day. In my opinion if a person likes vintage they should certainly appreciate vintage plastics!!!

And yeah I did notice your new Avatar and thought it was really cool!

[Mandolin Mick]

Bernie-

I usually buy from the Cafe Classifieds and I'm leary of Ebay instruments. But, the seller has a 100% rating and has sold a list of vintage instruments from Milwaukee to Cincinnati.

I did a lot of investigating on the history and availability of these mandolins and came to the conclusion that I'd be kicking myself around the block if somebody else bought it.

Here's a picture of an unplayed one that sold recently .. no idea how much.

[mtucker]

Congrats! You probably already have this bit of history on them. Enjoy..

In 1933 Chicago hosted the Century of Progress International Exhibition. This commemorated the 100 years that had elapsed since its incorporation in 1833. In the middle of the Great Depression, the 1933 to 1934 Century of Progress exhibition attracted 48 million visitors.

Gibson sought to capitalize on this event, focusing on the exhibition's emphasis on scientific progress. Gibson unveiled two instruments in 1933 that were decorated with "pearloid", a celluloid plastic which had the look of pearl. The L-Century guitar and A-Century mandolin featured pegheads and fingerboards covered with this material often called "mother-of-toilet-seat" (since it was not "mother-of-pearl", and this celluloid was often used for toilet seat covers during the 1950s). Gibson produced these Century instruments from 1933 to 1941.

[Mandolin Mick]

I discovered all this in my investigation, but thanx for informing all the other readers for me!

1933 is when my Dad was born, so this Gibson is definitely a vintage mandolin (although mine was built in 1936)!