Origion of "the" on a headstock

[Bike Mike]

New to the mandolin (2 years) and not having any luck with the search engine.
I've enjoyed very much the history of mandolins and brands available here on the board but have this newbie question:
Why is "The" (insert brand name) on a headstock, as in 'The Gibson', or 'The Weber' etc. I'm sure there is a story/history to go with this but have not found any information.
Thanks in advance and thanks to the people on this board who impart so much info to us new 'converts' to the mandolin.

Mike

[TeleMark]

I'd hazard a guess and say that Gibson started doing it, and the others did it because Gibson did it.

It's like a story I heard a race announcer tell once. At the Indy 500, Emerson Fittipaldi was first, Mario Andretti was second, and a rookie was third. During a pace lap, all 3 were swerving their cars back and forth on the track. Emerson said he did it to warm the tires up so they'd have grip at the restart. Mario said he did it to scrub debris off the tires. The rookie said he was doing it because Emo and Mario were!

[racuda]

I think it was to distinguish Gibson from the plethora of mando makers of the day.

[Brian Aldridge]

In the day of Orville, when you would talk about high society, such as the Rockefellers, Belmonts, Rothchilds and such, "The" would be used before the last name to signify that it was high society. Just a sophistication thing.

[kvk]

First time a spent a few weeks in southern CA, I thought it wierd that everyone put "the" in front of the route number. "I'll take the 15 to the 15" meaning Interstate 5 and Interstate 15. Here in NE, we just say "I'll take 93 to 128".

Sometimes I think it's to sound old-timey. When skiing, everyone just say trail names "Let's ski Downdraft". At Stowe, the oldest major eastcoast ski area, the old-timers say "Let's ski the Nosedive and then the National". Guess that's the secret handshake of the old-timers.

[Chris Baird]

"The" is often used as an epitomizing prefix. As in Gibson is the epitomization of musical instruments.

[red7flag]

And to carry the snottiness a bit further, The, in this case, is pronounced "Thee". So you should say "Thee Gibson", but kneel first. "Thee" meaning the the epidemy or the best.
Tony

[Darryl Wolfe]

or

[JEStanek]

I tell the wife I gotta run to The Wal-Mart. Definately not snooty! Maybe ironically snooty! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Jamie

[JGWoods]

The Gibson- the epiphone of mandolins, no that's not it, the epiphany of mandolins...closer, oh yes epitome, rhymes with lobotomy and i need one. A Gibson that is, oops, the Gibson.

[Loren Bailey]

Here in Augusta, GA many locals refer to that famous golf course simply as "The National".

Loren

[steve in tampa]

Used to have a truck called"The Beast" if that helps. Drop the a if it started up without too much effort.......

[Greenmando]

What I love about this label in the Gibson's is that many ebayers push any mando with it as a MM model.
I seen two on ebay the other night claiming master model status.


http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/uploads/post-12-82245-label.jpg

[Eugene]

"The" was pretty commonplace and predates the Gibson Co.'s use For example, late 19th c. Washburns also proclaimed themselves "The Washburn."

[f5loar]

Whatever reason Gibson felt like they needed the "The" before the name after 1934 they felt they no longer needed it and sales of "the" mandolins plumeted to an all time low until they re-instated the "The" back in the name in 1971 and sales has been on an upward climb since then.

[stevem]

Hey, Washburn was claiming the heavenly host as an endorsement for their mandos. A little "The" ain't so bad...

[DryBones]

I tell the wife I gotta run to The Wal-Mart. #Definately not snooty! #Maybe ironically snooty! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Jamie
Can I get that on a T-shirt? "The Wal-Mart" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[danmills]

Here in northern California most folks refer to highways by their numbers, e.g. "Take 101 north to 380...". Down south around L.A., it seems like everybody inserts "the" as in "Take the 101 north to the 380..." or "Traffic on the 101 was so bad I missed my audition". Now I know they're just trying to sound sophisticated. Thanks for the englightenment!

Dan

[pickinpox]

Always wondered if I played mandolin or the mandolin....still don't know. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Ed Lutz]

I always think it is "tacky" to hear anyone identify their wife as "the wife."
Notwithstanding "the dog", "the car", "the toilet" etc.
Just my two cents worth. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[kgimbal]

Whatever reason Gibson felt like they needed the "The" before the name after 1934 they felt they no longer needed it and sales of "the" mandolins plumeted to an all time low until they re-instated the "The" back in the name in 1971 and sales has been on an upward climb since then.

Would be interesting to know the thinking behind the removal the 'The' back in '34. What was that meeting like? Starting to remind me of 'Clintonspeak' ("ahh sir,...the answer to that question depends what you mean by the word 'the'...")

[Bill Snyder]

Hey, Washburn was claiming the heavenly host as an endorsement for their mandos. A little "The" ain't so bad...
What Heavenly Host? Looks like children on a fishing dock. Says at the top of the add:
"In happy homes, wherever found, One hears the Washburn's merry sound"
No mention of angels or Heavenly Host anywhere.

[stevem]

Maybe I'm wrong. I thought they were supposed to be knock-offs of those naked, little angels in the Raphael paintings.

Interesting ad either way..

[Dale Ludewig]

I'm curious as to why Mr. Vest hasn't commented here. Or Charlie. They must have a historical perspective that would be important to have. (Maybe they're on vacation?)

[Bike Mike]

Whether Mr. Vest, or Mr. Derrington comments, I thank you for the interesting responses.
The historical perspective presented on this board has drawn me ever deeper into the mystic of the mandolin, and makes me want to play even more... a really good thing!
Thanks, all...

Mike