Is this a Gibson mando?

[JohnM2001]

What do you think, is this a Gibson mando?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....08&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3737021108&rd=1)

[danb]

possibly a refinished ajr. The tailpiece and tuners are repalcements as well, if it's a gibson. Looks ajr-like to me, the shape is right, the back looks right, and the top appears to show signs of it's prior dark brown stain. Soundhole shape is right, leather-looking case thing looks right, peghead shape looks right.. possibly a 23 or 24 ajr.

[Darryl Wolfe]

I believe Dan is correct. #It appears to be a stripped Ajr. #I am/was considering bidding on it for the neck, but I haven't convinced myself that it's original. #The fingerboard certainly does not look right. #The peghead is drilled for '25 and later tuners, but the neck width appears to be the earlier wider variety

[sunburst]

Darryl, that neck looks like Birch to me. Did Gibson use Birch?
Also, the heel looks to be a straight V shape from the board to the button where it joins the body rather than the slight S-curve that I would expect on a 20s Gibson. Were the A-jrs like that?

[neal]

Well, if it is a Gibson snakehead a-jr, it's just been stolen for 380.00. Darrryl, you think it may have had frets replaced, or just a bad level job? Those looked like scratches to me.

[BBarton]

I looked at this too and noticed the extra piece of wood inserted on the top on each side of the fingerboard, which suggested to me that it may not be original -- just didn't look right to me. But, if it is, it's really stripped down

[Darryl Wolfe]

Sunburst...I decided that the neck is not orig. Yes it looks like birch and there are too many inconsistencies. I think the body is ok/orig, but tampered with installing the neck. I don't think the F/B is orig. All in all a nice buy though

[pickinNgrinnin]

Well...I wound up with the Mandolin in question. $380.00 My thanks to Neal for missing the end of the auction http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

I've been corresponding with Darryl Wolfe and Dan Beimborn about this Mandolin. They both think it is an Ajr. Darryl told me that the neck and fretboard were replaced. Dan thought it was an Ajr. 23 or 24. Of course it is missing original parts but that causes me no worry. Darryl said the replacement neck and fretboard would not affect the tone. He is right about that - it has the sweetest tone you can imagine. Very easy to play.

Here is a pic - hope this works!

[pickinNgrinnin]

Another view

[pickinNgrinnin]

SIde view

[pickinNgrinnin]

Check out this case - it's leather, opens at the back and it looks to be in original condition. Pretty funky. Has the initials "TS" on the top. Like any old instrument, I wonder who had owned it, where it's been, the stories it could tell.

[midmando]

Too bad there's not an emoticon for "green with envy"http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Congrats on your purchase!

[neal]

I missed the end. #Yep, it was me. #This, to me anyway, is like finding a dirty rolex at a garage sale and paying 30.00 for it. # Ditto Brad Hopkins. #

I really like that mandolin. #And Jeff, if you ever want to sell it, I'll make sure you don't lose any money on it!
Neal http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

380.....yeesh!

Prety nice mando!

[pickinNgrinnin]

My thanks to Darryl and Dan for sharing their knowledge with me in regard to this Ajr. This is perhaps, the nicest sounding Gibson A that I've played. A garage sale find for sure. Thanks again Neal but like I said, you already have an Ajr http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif A green with envy emoticon? That's a good one midmando http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Here's another shot:

[neal]

Ha!

[TommyK]

Horse traders at Ebay don't stand a chance with you guys around!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif