View Full Version : Gibson A-Jr. 1927
I'm looking at 2 1927 A-Jr.'s, one from Charles Johnson and one from Gruhn. Both had repaired bass side top cracks. #Price seems decent, but what can I expect with this year. #I played a friend's teens A-1 or 2, he had replaced the fretboard and did some binding work(not that these affected sound), and it sounded really, really nice. #Kinda like cathedral bells. Ok, that's a bit of a stretch. #
I'm looking for one without the v'd neck, which it appears most of the snakeheads had.
I know this is after the loar period, and after the roaring teens period, so not much is said about these. #Any input would be appreciated.
THanks. Neal
MANDOLINMYSTER
Jun-22-2004, 6:42pm
Neal,
#I have a 1929 A-0, which is a plain jane, and it sounds great. Probally the best sounding of the Gibson A's I own.Defenatly the best sounding and least valuable. One thing I noticed about the late 20s A models is the carving on the top and back is very "dished", very thin around the perimiter of the top which I think gives it great tone.Give em' a try for the price those old Gibsons are the best buy. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
Stillpicking
Jun-22-2004, 6:48pm
Neal,
Not sure what condition and the asking prices of the 2 you are looking at but I know of an A JR 27 for sale asking price is $1000 if the price is in your range and you are interested let me know.
Mike
Well, the one at Gruhn's is EXF (exceptionally fine) with a repaired crack on the bass side, runs along the grain, for 950, original case, the one from Charles is Ex-, 1250 original case. #I should say that both have a repaired crack in about the same place. #soft cases were standard in the time period, I suppose. # Both mandos look real nice, pics from CJ are better, but I've requested add'l from Gruhn. #
I'm gonna have to sell something. # Here in Wisconsin, you don't get a chance to play many of these old Gibsons, I've played only 2, and one was from about a year and a half ago for about 30 seconds. #The other, as I said, was from a friend who has done setup work for me in the past on my stuff. #It was a beaut. #
Thanks for the input, guys, it's appreciated, #and Michael, the A-0 is basically the #A-Jr, correct? Would you recommend an adjustable bridge?
Neal
MANDOLINMYSTER
Jun-22-2004, 7:28pm
Neal,
When I got my A-0 it had no strings or bridge, so I put on a loar repro that works fine. Check out ebay there is a A-jr
listed for buy it now http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Bob DeVellis
Jun-23-2004, 9:48am
I thought the A-0 and the A Jr. were different, no?
keithd
Jun-23-2004, 5:10pm
I seem to remember reading somewhere that the A-0 is a later designation for the A-jr.; don't remember when this change was made though.
Keith
Gruhn's Guide has the following:
A Jr.: oval hole, black binding around hole, elevated pickguard, no body binding, ebony fingerboard, special round Jr. label, dark brown stain finish.
Introduced: C. 1919
Snakehead peghead: 1923
Discontinued by 1928
A-0: oval hole, no binding or hole ornamentation, clamshell tailpiece cover, dot inly, brown finish.
Introduced:1927
Discontinued: 1934
I think the brown finish differentiates them from the plain model A, but this is Gibson we're talking about, so it doesn't mean much. These things were bringing 5-600 several years ago, so they haven't gone stratospheric yet, but they do trend upward 5-10% a year, seems like. Nice mandolins, nicely aged.
So, would you say that 800 is a fair price for an a-jr in what appears to be pretty decent shape? #I'm seeing them as high as 1250 and the snakeheads are even higher. #
On the neck shape, non-snakeheads have a rounder neck, don't they?
I'm gettin' ready to jump on that a-jr on ebay.