View Full Version : Gibson A-1, 1911
Quit smoking a couple years ago and put the money aside in my sock drawer. When it built up big enough to bother the wife I went to Elderlys and was sniffing around. Some guy said "Lookit here, this is a real nice little Gibson mandolin and its reasonable too, so, what the hell, I bought it. Think about it, it was almost free 'cause I was buying it with money I was just gonna burn up in smoke anyway!
Its a 1911 Gibson A-1, ser #107xx. Its got kind of a goofy saddle, 4 separate little pieces that you can turn fore and aft to compensate things, pumpkin top, and a elevated pick guard that has a little pin that goes into the bridge. No cracks and barks pretty good. Is this a decent little mandolin to learn on and whats the thinking on these A's here? Fog
grsnovi
Apr-14-2004, 8:58pm
Well, since YOU made the choice (and they are your ears) and there aren't many places with more mandos hangin' than Elderly, I would hope that you're happy.
I just grabbed a cute little Gibby about 10 years "newer" than yours - cept it's a 'dola and I couldn't be happier.
The tone on these old Gibson's is fantastic.
Mine had the same sort of pickguard pin going into the bridge. I took the guard completely off as the clamp mechanism was buzzing at certain notes/volumes, etc...
Nothing sweeter than taking money that would have otherwise been spent on something like ciggies and realizing: hey, here is this cool thing.
I'd say ya done good Fog!
John Rosett
Apr-14-2004, 9:59pm
fogducker-
i did the same thing in january, except i bought the mando about a week after i quit. my rational is that i'll sell it if i start smoking again. i got a 1913 A model, and i like it alot more than cigarettes.
john
Mandoglen
Apr-14-2004, 10:18pm
Fogducker ,
I have bought , sold & traded teens vintage Gibson mandolins for several years . I love them ! There is just something about the look , feel and the sound ! I currently have a 1911 A-1 Blackface with the original tooled leather trap-door case . It is without a doubt , the best sounding A that I have ever owned . I hope you enjoy your find . You may discover it is all the mandolin you will ever need ! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
dwmand
Apr-14-2004, 10:35pm
I've had my 1917 A-1 for about 8 years and it's still my main mandolin despite the purchases of several other non-Gibson and other vintage Gibson A's. I just let go my A-4 and a couple copy mandolins, because I know this little oval hole mando is the one for me...