I figured it was shorthand for The Gibson Mandolin Guitar Manufacturing Company, Limited, which was way too long to put on a peghead.
I figured it was shorthand for The Gibson Mandolin Guitar Manufacturing Company, Limited, which was way too long to put on a peghead.
Living’ in the Mitten
I think it is redundant.
Steve Davis
I should really be practicing instead of sitting in front of the computer.
Now, where did I put that pocketknife?
To decide whether or not something is conceited or pretentious, one has to figure in contemporary usage. I'd say that unless a mandolin made in the late 20th or early 21st centuries with a "The Gibson" logo on it comes with a disclaimer or explanation, it is possible to view that logo as conceited or pretentious now, even if that might not have been the case in 1903.
At the time Gibson started using the "The Gibson" logo, things like that were common in advertising. If you look at Richard Johnston's articles in American Lutherie on the history of mandolin orchestras in America, you will find that Gibson's advertising was extremely aggressive. They scurrilously attacked the Neapolitan or bowlback mandolin as "a dinosaur in a scientific age", and they were probably (not completely sure about it though) responsible for the derisive term "Tater bug" for Neapolitan mandolins, referring to the similarity of the bowls (with alternating strips of light and dark woods) to the striped carapace of the potato beetle. Gibson got away with that without any flack back then, and the tradition of it in their product gives them an out to this day. Had they started doing that that for the first time during the latter part of the 20th century, it might be a different story. Something about Gail's/Siminoff's explanation is gnawing at me. I'm not sure that the usage at the time was that different from today's usage with regard to "The".
http://www.Cohenmando.com
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
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
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller
Furthering Mandolin Consciousness
Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!
A little "The" potty humor here on The Cafe! Ha!
John Hamlett
www.hamlettinstruments.com
I've always looked at "The" as schtick; Gibson schtick. None of my Gibsons have "The" on them ... but I wish they did.
Your wish has been granted by the great Bill Bussman in Old Wave Holler.
Jamie
There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946
+ Give Blood, Save a Life +
The followed by a surname is certainly found in Scotland where the head of the clan is often referred to as "The (surname)". For instance in my own case the head of the clan can be properly referred to as "the McNeil". or in another case "The Munro". It is certainly no longer in common usage but most likely still carries a vestige of prestige for some.
I would assume that is the origin and meaning of the term "The Gibson" as a trade name. The adverb "The " give the name additional punch and status.
Bart McNeil
To me, a beginner in mandolin, bluegrass and all things incorporated.... "the Gibson" is cool. anything else after llike "the hester" not so much. And that is not to pick on Hester specifically. However just the last name would be Fine. After all there is only one "THE"
Last edited by John Adrihan; Oct-01-2010 at 8:10pm.
Orcas Island Tonewoods
Free downloads of my mandolin CDs:
"Mandolin Graffiti"
"Mangler Of Bluegrass"
"Overhead At Darrington"
"Electric Mandolin Graffiti"
I just want to go on record as stating that I've been using "theCOOP" on the internet since the early 90s, long before I ever heard of a The Gibson, The Epiphone, The Loar or The The.
So if I happen to ever build a mandolin and put theCOOP on it, it's jusy coincidence
1983 Flatiron 1N - Pancake/Army-Navy
2011 Eastman MD-315 - F-style
Rover RM-50B - A-style
2014 Satin Cherry, Gibson USA 120th Anniversary SGJ14
Godin Guitars' Art & Lutherie "Spruce" 6-string dreadnought. Hand made in Canada.
I would take a new The Hester over an old The Gibson (with mmmaaaybe 200 or so exceptions only so I could sell it to get a The Hester and afford my kids' college) any day.
Jamie
There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946
+ Give Blood, Save a Life +
Dang Spruce, I got a chuckle out of that bottle and the "master" model scroll. Thanks, John
Believe me, I've played one. If any mandolin deserves the "The", it's a Hester. They have "The" sound.
Mike Snyder
Yup, some things, even with a "The" in front are not meant for the macro lens...
For the record, "the" is not an adverb (modifier of verbs, adverbs, and adjectives) but an adjective (modifier of nouns), actually a special case of adjective - an article, of which there are but three: a, an, and the. OK, class dismissed.
I like the Scottish and Scotch observations. I think Glenlivet is also called "The Glenlivet" on the label. There are probably others. I think it is meant to convey a level of pride by the makers in their product.
Yeah, as I suspected: The Balvenie, The Dalmore, The Famous Grouse, The Singleton. As far as I'm concerned, there are surely more better Scotches without the "The" than with. But don't draw an analogy from that - I'm still a Gibson guy.
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller
Furthering Mandolin Consciousness
Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!
"a gibson guy", not "The Gibson Guy"?
"Only a Gibson is Good Enough..."
'nuff said?
"The" is rugged, individualistic! Like "the Marlboro Man"! Oh, he died of lung cancer...
No, "the lung cancer"! Like "the plague". Or "the clap". Now there's a p'head logo...
p...un, intended...
Yes, indeed! That is correct, kind sir. I would never be so presumptuous as to utilize the definite article in reference to myself. I am one of many, not the one and only. Though I believe I would be correct in calling myself "The Southernmost Mandolinist," as far as I know a statement of verifiable fact. But humility does not permit me to refer to myself thusly, as I have not earned this; it is mere happenstance.
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller
Furthering Mandolin Consciousness
Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!
You can't get one at The Wall-Mart as we say around here....
There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946
+ Give Blood, Save a Life +
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