The rare and mysterious 1936 Gibson-made Cromwell GM-5 mandolin

[pfox14]

I've never seen one of these until today. Although it has no model number anywhere on it, this has to be a 1936 Cromwell GM-5. It is fancier than the GM-4, but nothing like the GM-6 lump scroll model that's been posted here before. Rare and bizarre all at the same time. As far as I know, it is all original in including the very unusual peghead design and strange circular top finish. According to Gibson's shipping ledgers, they only made 11 of these in 1936 and were quickly discontinued soon after. Most likely the GM-5 and GM-6 models simply didn't sell and Gibson only made one batch each. The same is true of the Cromwell electrics introduced in 1937, including the EGM electric mandolin.

Anyone care to give an opinion on the value of this?

[brunello97]

Muy cool, Paul. Thanks for posting this. Looks to be in vg condition. Did you see this in person? Did you play it?

I don't recall. Were these pressed tops or carved tops? A lot of work went into the detailing and finishing these. A curious direction for the company.

Mick

[MikeEdgerton]

I think they used the same bowl to create that sunburst that Moe Howard's barber used to give him a haircut.

[JeffD]

I think they used the same bowl to create that sunburst that Moe Howard's barber used to give him a haircut.

I was wondering about that.

[pfox14]

I have not seen it in person or played it. I know the GM-2 & GM-4 were pressed top, but I believe the GM-5 & GM-6 were carved, but don't hold me to it.

LMAO Jim.

[Steve Ostrander]

According to Gibson's shipping ledgers, they only made 11 of these in 1936 and were quickly discontinued soon after.

Hmmm...rarer than a Loar....should go for double the price,no?

[pfox14]

Hmmm...rarer than a Loar....should go for double the price,no?

I told the owner that to the right collector, it might fetch $1200-1300, but if you sold it on eBay, I'd guess it wouldn't sell for much more than $800. Rare doesn't always mean valuable.

[Jim Garber]

Paul, I know you are the expert on these things (you wrote the book!) but how do you know that it is a GM-5 (compared to GM-4) and how do you know that that top finish and the headstock paint wasn't done by some insane owner years ago. I am just curious. Also, do you have additional photos?

[MikeEdgerton]

Hmmm...rarer than a Loar....should go for double the price,no?

No...errrr...yes. No is correct, it won't be worth more than a Loar. perhaps it's worth more than The Loar though.

[JeffD]

Actually, my initial reaction to it is very much tinted by my expectations from experience. If I had seen that mandolin cold, I am not sure I would think it unattractive, and if it sounded good...

Perhaps if someone had an aversion to the historical Cromwell it might not be a popular choice. I am not sure, for example, I would take it to an Irish session.

But that aside, as a mandolin, is there more than our informed prejudice to argue against it?

[pfox14]

Paul, I know you are the expert on these things (you wrote the book!) but how do you know that it is a GM-5 (compared to GM-4) and how do you know that that top finish and the headstock paint wasn't done by some insane owner years ago. I am just curious. Also, do you have additional photos?

Honestly, Jim I'm not 100% sure. I showed the pix to a friend who knows a lot about the budget brands, and he thinks it's a bastardized GM-4. I asked the owner to look inside the body. If it has FON 570-B (the only batch of GM-5s Gibson ever made) and has a carved top, than it's definitely a GM-5. If not, than I am dead wrong and it was only wishful thinking. Most likely a GM-5 would have white button tuners, a bone nut, and bound fingerboard, but we have absolutely no point of reference, so it's just guess work.

[Ken Waltham]

I think this is really cool, and historically interesting, by way of the Gibson budget brands, but, I don't feel it has much intrinsic value. $200.00 to $300.00 ?? Maybe a bit more.
My Cromwell archtop guitar has a more traditional sunburst... I wonder about this one. Is it original, or some creative folk art?

[brunello97]

I think this is really cool, and historically interesting, by way of the Gibson budget brands, but, I don't feel it has much intrinsic value. $200.00 to $300.00 ?? Maybe a bit more.
My Cromwell archtop guitar has a more traditional sunburst... I wonder about this one. Is it original, or some creative folk art?

Well, if it is a carved top such as Paul posits, then the pricing should reflect that. KM11s have been going for ~$500+ so I think the $2-3C estimate is possibly a bit out of date. I'd pay $3C for this in a NY minute. (But Jim would have to tell me just how long that was....)

The black dipped headstock end seems to predate the nameplate application (though it is hard to see.) The black appears to match the same on the Moe Howard 'burst--though it does look a little funny at 12 o'clock. (Mike, you owe me keyboard cleaning to remove the coffee gaffaw spray....)

Until Paul gets more info to us, I'm hedging with Ockham's Razor on this. Or Hunter Thompson's ("When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.") If you are going to produce a level 5 or 6 in your off-brand and go with a carved top and inlaid fb and headstock then why not Go Moe on the top?

I totally dig these Gibson second lines. But half the clan is from LA. Second lines come naturally.

Mick

[Petrus]

Was the headstock name done with a label-maker? If so it wans't a very good one as the C and the R aren't in alignment.

[mrmando]

I'll trade you a cigar for it.

[journeybear]

It's an odd duck, for sure, but it's got some charm. Somehow the color scheme and graphic design reminds me of bowling shoes.

[pfox14]

After much deliberation, I've come to the conclusion that this mandolin is NOT a Cromwell GM-5. It is a GM-4 that was ruined by a horrible refinish and amateurish attempt at a replacement logo. Sorry. My enthusiasm got the better of me. I should have realized right away that Gibson would never have put out an instrument that looks like this. Oh, well.

[Ken Waltham]

I think that is a much more accurate assessment. Well done.

[Jeff Mando]

Perhaps if someone had an aversion to the historical Cromwell it might not be a popular choice. I am not sure, for example, I would take it to an Irish session.

Totally missed it on the first read through--good one, JeffD! A little 1649 era humor! Actually, Morrissey slammed Cromwell in a fairly recent song/video "Irish Heart, English Blood" (last 10 years or so.....)