View Full Version : Confused by an "A4" Gibson
OlderThanWillie
May-21-2004, 12:31pm
I'm confused by the description, color, tuning machine, and peghead inlay of this EBAY (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3724565133&indexURL=2#ebayphotohosting) mandolin for sale.
Is it an A4? It doesn't seem to match the A4 characteristics I see in my Gruhn book.
racuda
May-21-2004, 12:39pm
It looks like an A1 to me. Maybe he mis-read the number or somebody penciled in a "4" over the "1"
racuda
May-21-2004, 12:42pm
The FON matches this (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/perl/show_mando.pl?2682) A1
Per Gibson's serial numbers it is a 1918. An A4 would be either a sunburst or black-face, the headstock would have a fleur-de-lis, it would have a backstrip inlayed into the back of the neck and the rosette would have a central ivoroid band between the herringbone. I don't think they were still using the inlayed Handel tuners in 1918 but I'm not sure. If the back is bound then it is probably an A2, if not it is an A1 with "The Gibson" inlay added.
That's an A1 or A2. Probably an A1.. a somewhat unusual model. A2 has back binding, "the gibson" on the peghead, and usually is brown finish. A4 would be sunburst or red, and would have the handel inlaid tuning pegs as well for that year. That one is in pretty nice shape, judging by the pictures!
Also..a stamped "A1" with the little "tail" on the top of the "1" could easily be mistaken for a "4"!!