Mandolin identification

[moondragon]

I need some help identifying the age of this instrument. There is a serial number inside, directly on the wood (no label), number 12030. It is in very good condition, and plays nicely. Gibson's support line the last time I tried couldn't give me much help. I'm considering parting with it, so any estimates of value would also be appreciated.

[johnnymando]

Judging by the peghead script it appears to be 30's vintage. I owned one just like it about 12 years ago.
Traded it in on a new Flatiron A5 at Gruhns.
Current value's anywhere from $700-$900 if its all there.
Hows it sound?

[Paul Hostetter]

Your serial number doesn't make sense. If it's mahogany(?), it's probably an A-40. Is it bound in back?

[moondragon]

As a long-time 4-stringer (violin, half-bass, full bass), I'm not a good judge of it's tone and action. My ear tells me there are no aberrant dis-harmonics that would indicate cracks, splits or swells in the structure. It sounds "nice" to me http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

So, now I have a vote for 1922 (from the factory, of all places, which I'm inclined to disbelieve), 1930's, 1961, and 1963. The serial number was originally issued in the early '20s, but those mandolins had the serial number on white paper glued inside the body. This instrument has the serial number burned in, and the serial numbers were repeated starting in 1961. Of course, Gibson serial numbers are a matter of great mystery, even to them.

[Mando Medic]

It's not a serial number, but a production or run number. It appears to be a mid 30's A-40 as Paul pointed out. Kenc

[Paul Hostetter]

Of course, Gibson serial numbers are a matter of great mystery, even to them.
Particularly to them. The number 12030 doesn't jibe with factory order numbers or serial numbers of any sort, from any period. And I have never heard of numbers being burned into Gibsons. The script says 30's, but nothing else matches. Again, it would be helpful to know if the back was bound (and if it wasn't, if it was laminated), and what the back and side material actually were. And where inside the body that FON was stamped, and any possible other interpretation of the digits.

[John Rosett]

I think that it's a late 30's/early 40's A1, like this one:
http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/90U-4468.htm
Mandolin Bros. has one on their site also.
I think that it's a little over priced-Elderly has had it for quite a while. A really nice looking one sold on fleabay recently for $650.

[Paul Hostetter]

This period makes sense, except the one in question here seems, based on the rather sketchy photo evidence I've seen so far, to be mahogany, and unbound in back.