A2 Gibson Question

[peter lindblom]

Hello;
I have a Gibson A2 that belonged to my Grandfather. I am interested in selling it and finding out it's value. The serial # is 58991 and, as you can see in the pics, there is a vertical crack around the f-hole. I remember him playing it, and would love for it to end up in appreciative hands.

Any help would be appreciated!

Pete

[lenf12]

As is, worth a few hundred dollars to the right person, someone who will spend the rest of the money to put it right or be able to do it themselves. Do you have the bridge and pickguard? The back looks good and having the case adds value but that crack on the front is bad enough to want the strings off. It could be worth it to have it fixed by one of the many luthiers who post here at the Cafe. Then if you still want to sell it, it will worth much more ~ $1500 +/- imo. Good luck!!

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[fatt-dad]

the tailpiece and case alone are worth over $300.00. The tuners are worth a hundred or so also. So, the starting point would be $400.00. It would need some work for sure.

f-d

[GKWilson]

If I were to buy it to restore it I would have a few questions.
1. Is the neck straight and flat? It may be the picture, but it seems to twist toward the treble side.
2. Is the top sunken? The picture again looks as if it may be sunken right where the crack is.
Is this because of the crack or the cause.
3. Why are the frets and tailpiece only rusty on the treble side? This may be nothing, but it might cause me to pause.
The top of the case seems stained. With a darker line [stain] right above where the damage is. And is that
a double shadow on the label or a water mark.
These are some of the questions that I would ask before I would know if I was buying a parts mandolin or one that
could be brought back to playability. That said there are probably a lot of guys who would like to have an old A2 to fix up.
Including me.
Gary

[RayMan7]

Just a little update on the mandolin. I bought the mandolin from Pete for a great price for the both of us. I was really looking for an old Gibson that needed some work and this was perfect. I got it playable! The crack wasnt too bad and came out quite nicely, its almost unnoticable now and totally stable. Theres no top sink at all and its in very good condition, everything else is perfect and original. It sounds and plays amazing! Im happy to make it playable again after being broken like it was for so long. Thanks Pete

[CWRoyds]

Wow.
Beautiful job Rayman!!!
It is so nice to see instruments brought back to life.
A little effort goes a long way.
Well done, and congratulations.

[lflngpicker]

This is a 1912, as far as I can determine. Great resonance, tubby base and wonderful sustain. The tuners are the pits, but good strings and well adjusted bridge, and I have used it on stage. Camping too!

[GKWilson]

Nice save RayMan.
I thought it might need a new top.
Glad you brought her back.
Have fun.
Gary

[LongBlackVeil]

Nice Rayman (Thumbs UP!)

[mrmando]

This is a 1912, as far as I can determine.

What's the FON?

With a pineapple tailpiece and a chinrest-style pickguard clamp, it's likely to be a year or two earlier than 1912.

[lflngpicker]

What's the FON?

With a pineapple tailpiece and a chinrest-style pickguard clamp, it's likely to be a year or two earlier than 1912.

I will have to try to find out. That's interesting. It is at my son's home presently. It was owned by my spouse's grandparents, so it could be slighly earlier. Everything was original -- even the strings. I finally changed those 8 months or so ago. They were old silver strings that lasted 100 years! You know your stuff! (I don't when it comes to dating these Gibsons)