Gibson Army-Navy "Custom"

[mehrsam]

In 1996 I bought this mando used from a small shop in central Pa. I haven't ever seen another one like it; perhaps some of the mando-scholars here can shed some light. I contacted Gibson to see if they have any history on it, but the reply from Roger Ball at Gibson Customer Service had no new information.

The details:

Soundhole label states:

Gibson (in typical "Gibson" script)
ARMY NAVY
Model: AN-CUSTOM
Serial No: 4038039
Tested and approved: MARCH 28 #1994
Bruce D. Weber (signed in black ink)
Gibson, Inc.
Bozeman, MT, U.S.A.

Solid spuce top
Solid maple back and sides, double bound body
Maple neck w/ bound ebony fingerboard
Ebony non-adjustable bridge
"The Gibson" engraved gold tailpiece
Gold engraved open tuners w/ pearloid buttons
Gold strap button at neck heel
Abalone rosette inlaid around soundhole
Bone nut

VGC with hardshell case. There is some pick wear on the top below the soundhole, and slight surface scratches around the tailpiece.

Pictures (I hope...)

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Mark E.

[mehrsam]

Hmmmm...my 56K .jpg image doesn't want to co-operate...

[mehrsam]

...!!@!%*#!!#!!!!....

I tried linking the image through the "File Attachments" / "Browse.." button at the bottom of the Add Reply window, but as you can see, I got nuttin'...what am I doing incorrectly? (...a question I would never ask of my wife, kids or boss...)

[bratsche]

Are you trying to preview it first? If so, then you must re-enter the image info after.

bratsche

[mehrsam]

...testing...1,2,3...

[bratsche]

Bravo! Very nice. Do you know how old it is?

bratsche

Sorry - I just noticed you said 1994! (It's been a crazy last few days here in FL)

[mehrsam]

Thanks, bratsche!

Now...where was I?

[mehrsam]

More...
...and shouldn't you be joining the mass exodus to points North or inland?

[mehrsam]

...still more...

[bratsche]

Nope, we've hermetically sealed ourselves and are riding it out. No way would I leave our cats and all the instruments. I'd sooner go down with the ship than leave! Going through another band of rain and wind right now, and the lights are flickering. Wheeeeee!

bratsche

[bratsche]

So what does it sound like? I have a mandola shaped like that - it's a Sawchyn deluxe Beaver Tail. (Click on my Profile icon below on the left to see it.) Also a Flatiron 1N mandola (the plain jane one). I'm sorta partial to that look, myself!

bratsche

[mehrsam]

You're right, they could be related...I like your vintage mando on the left, also. I don't think I've seen one with the machine plates on the front of the headstock.

It sounds...balanced. The body is very shallow, so it doesn't have a lot of horsepower, but it does have a good tone for British Isles, folk, jazz..I played it in a Civil War band for a while and it held its own. Didn't look authentic, but it added the right touch.

Bet your cats are getting spooked.

[bratsche]

Ahaa -- you mean my Weymann Mandolute! See this thread (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=6;t=17335), toward the bottom, for an image composite that shows a closeup of the unusual headstock (I used it as a CafePress design, so you'll have to click on the link in the message, and then click on the "larger image" link to see it well!)

I really like the tone of both of my flat mandolas.

The cats were more freaked out when we were putting shutters over everything that normally let in light. ;) That, plus rearranging stuff to accommodate things from the outside being brought in for temporary storage. They probably thought we were getting ready to move again, which was their collective worst traumatic experience to date. Only the eldest one (of 6!) was around for Andrew - in our former town further south - which we went through about 30 miles north of, complete with an evacuation for the night to friends' house. I've always heard that animals are very attuned to weather events before they happen. Now they're all acting like themselves again, more or less. Hopefully that's a good sign that it won't be so bad here.

bratsche

[mehrsam]

That is a grand instrument. You've done a wonderful job of presenting it on your items. And now you'll have to tell me about your ivory picks...

The reason I'm researching my A/N is that I'm going to sell it and go for an...big breath here...Octave Mandolin. I have an 1896 Bruno bowlback and a mid 1930's no-name plywood-topped mando-thing sitting on my workbench waiting to be resurrected - along with a late 1800's parlor guitar in need of a complete refinish, an LYS acoustic (Canadian, cutaway, will blow the doors off any Martin)and my beloved Telecaster - and one more instrument would violate the quota set by my wife, a.k.a Minister of Finance and Sheriff of Stringed Things.

But I digress...

[Eugene]

I had no idea Gibson had resurrected the old Army-Navy model, even if only as a one-off custom job (I don't follow the doings of the modern Gibson Co. too closely). #I think the coolest feature of yours, mehrsam, is the groovy headstock inlay patterned after Gibson's old style 3. #I also like the decorative point at the fingerboard terminus; it calls to mind turn-of-the-century bowlbacks by the Fairbanks Co.

Now, to join in digression, I'm curious about your Bruno. #What work does it need? #Do you do much bowlback restoration? #Are you planning to sell it? #Any evidence who made it (I don't think Bruno manufactured these themselves, but I'm not certain which shop built for their house brand)? #Is it one with the odd large scratchplate that borders the full southern half of the soundhole?

How's the weather, bratsche; still pluckin'?

[Nathan Sanders]

I saw one of these new Gibson army-navy mandolins a few years ago at a local music store. It was quite beautiful too. I did not get a chance to play it but I'm sure it sounds very similar to the Flatiron flat tops. I currently have two Flatirons for sale, a 1N and a 2mc. How much are you asking for this Gibson?

Here's one of the Flatirons I have:

Flatiron 1CH For Sale (http://www.stringband.com/mandolin.htm)

[bratsche]

Hey Eugene - it's pretty windy and wet out there! Since we have no phone service at all this morning (and the power has gone out a couple times, but came back on for now), I am surprised to still be online with our DSL connection! Just got finished e-mailing my family (Chicago area) not to panic when I don't answer the phone. The next day will be really long, since this storm is so s l o o o w w moving! I am in south suburban West Palm Beach, and now they're saying the eye will cross about 60-70 miles north of here. It's a wide eye with lots and lots of rain predicted.

Mark - thanks for the compliments!

Well, in the aftermath, if there's no power for a long time, at least we people with musical instruments can amuse ourselves and fend off boredom. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Hopefully I'll report more later, but if not, I'll get on here as soon as I possibly can after it's all over!

Regards to all,

bratsche

[odeman]

Originally Flatiron Mandolin Co. out of Bozeman, Montana. They borrowed the design from the old Gibson "Army/Navy" mandolins - available only on military commissaries many decades ago. When Gibson bought that company ( headed by Bruce Weber ) they dropped the "Flatiron name and started manufacturing "Gibson" acoustics. Of course, when Gibson moved that division to Nashville, Bruce Weber stayed in Montana and, the rest is history. You have a rarity - a top of the line Army/Navy "Gibson", built by the Weber mandolin people. I'm guessing that it sounds GREAT and plays even better. If I were you, I would not part with that instrument for all the farms in Cuba

[pickinNgrinnin]

Actually, Gibson bought Flatiron in 1987 and continued making Mandolins under the Flatiron name in Montana through 1996. In 96 they moved Gibson/Flatiron Mandolins to Nashville and continued the Flatiron name till the spring of 2002.

Great looking Gibson - I'd keep this one!

[8ch(pl)]

Bratsche, hope you are OK, no injuries, no property damage.

[mehrsam]

Thank you, everyone, for your replies.

Bratsche, I too hope all is well with you, your family and your home.

Eugene, it's good to hear from you again. You and I had some discussions about "bowlbacks" two years ago when I was in the market for one. Regarding the Bruno I have, I will take a closer look at it and let you know the details. I bought it in "as is" condition; (that term should be revised to "as isn't", I think) the top is severely cracked, there are numerous separations between ribs, and the bridge is missing. I am an amateur cabinetmaker and thought I would attempt to repair it to a playable state. I'll send some pictures to you if you're interested in seeing it in it's present condition.

f5dude, odeman and pickinNgrinnin (my wife loves that name), thanks also for your replies. I didn't realize this could be such a rarity. I recognized Bruce Weber's name, but I was not familiar with the history of the Gibson/Flatiron/Weber connection.

Next step: appraisals from Mandolin Bros. and George Gruhn, I think, if for nothing else than to possibly get some more information and a realistic value for The Little Guy.

Regards,

[jessboo]

Elderly had one of these back in late 99. It was priced about $1100.

[Strado Len]

Even though the model name had the word "custom" in it, I believe that this mandolin was a standard factory model at the time, and I have seen it listed in Gibson literature. It was "custom" compared to the original budget priced Army-Navy and Alrite flat-top models of the late teens and early twenties.

Looks very nice. I especially like the old A-3 style headstock inlay.

[mehrsam]

Well, against some advice, I've listed it for sale in The Classifieds. It is a beautiful mando, but I'm ready for something different. I'll be glad to answer any more questions, supply more photos, etc.

Stay dry,