Is it a 1930's Electric Gibson Mandolin?

[Bill Snyder]

This has been on the "front page" of the Mandolin Cafe so I am surprised not to see a thread about it yet.
1930's EM-150.

[Jim Garber]

Indeed. I have one like it -- even with a crystallized pick guard. So, of course, I am watching that auction to see how much it goes for. I love the sound of those pickups and have the matching guitar and tenor guitar.

[Marty Jacobson]

Super cool. Love those Charlie Christian pickups.

[Chief]

It's a beauty. I bid on it, but it quickly went out of my range, and still hasn't reached the reserve price. I actually just got a 1954 EM- 150 in a trade. I love the sound of it. I'm wondering how different this 30's one sounds with the different pickup?

[F-2 Dave]

Extremely cool. Love the case too.

[darrylicshon]

really nice

[mandopops]

Very cool, indeed.
I'm not bidding on it. (So far)
I used to have a 60's Model before I got the EM-200. That Charlie Christian pick-up is talking to me.
If Jim has one, then I have to have one.
Joe B

[brunello97]

Very cool, indeed.
I'm not bidding on it. (So far)
I used to have a 60's Model before I got the EM-200. That Charlie Christian pick-up is talking to me.
If Jim has one, then I have to have one.
Joe B

An "Arms Race" with Jim Garber, Joe? Be careful. Jim has amazing instruments he's forgotten about in closets in his house which he has forgotten about. The Smithsonian is just going to have to annex his place.

Mick

BTW, in addition to the cool CC pickup, note the position of the pickup, which is considerably further forward towards the sweet spot than the later EM150 / P90 location. I wonder if or what that contributes to the sound / tone.

[Jim Garber]

Man, now I have to dig mine out and see what it sounds like. I do recall taking it to the very first Ashokan western week when Tiny Moore first was there. I played it for some of the jams and it sounded like a 1930's electric mandolin. I don't recall if Tiny played it or not.

[Jim Garber]

I believe that that auction started with a $2500 BIN.

Interesting... on the home page:

Earliest Gibson electric mandolin on record? We'll be checking.

I believe that the EM-150 is the first full-production electric mandolin made by a major company. I don't know if the actual instrument made by eBay was the very first but probably the EM-150 was the first production model made by Gibson.

Before that there were other electrics, most notably Mr. Loar's Vi-Vi-Tone.

[Capt. E]

I guess these came out the same time as the first Gibson ES-150 electric guitar. Did the mandolin sell for $150 just like the guitar did?

[mrmando]

The EM150 came out in '36. Vega also introduced electrics that year.

The Charlie Christian pickup was available for only a few years; it had been replaced by 1941.

In addition to ViViTone, National, Rickenbacher and Stromberg-Voisinet all made electric mandolins prior to 1936.

[Bernie Daniel]

Very cool, indeed.
I'm not bidding on it. (So far)
I used to have a 60's Model before I got the EM-200. That Charlie Christian pick-up is talking to me.
If Jim has one, then I have to have one.
Joe B

Very cool piece of emando history there -- as noted the case is sharp too.

I also have '60's EM-150 and really like it -- but I keep wondering if I shouldn't up grade to an EM-200. Looks like you actually did it! What is the difference between the two sound wise or playability? (I know the 200 is solid body).

Be nice to have one of those ViViTone's also? They had redwood tops didn't they?

[StevieBGoode]

"This listing was ended by the seller because the item was lost or broken."

Hmm...

[mandopops]

Bernie,
It's been a while since I played a '150', but I think the '200' has a hotter, more compressed sound, lots of punch. The 200 has a stouter neck, you can really get a grip on it. I am fickle, sometimes I wish I had 150 again, less crunch.
Joe B

[Bernie Daniel]

Bernie,
It's been a while since I played a '150', but I think the '200' has a hotter, more compressed sound, lots of punch. The 200 has a stouter neck, you can really get a grip on it. I am fickle, sometimes I wish I had 150 again, less crunch.
Joe B

Thanks! I was afraid you would answer like that -- now I'm going to have to have one of each..........

[Chief]

Well, it went for just over a grand. I would have thought that it would've been worth a lot more, but perhaps the condition issues kept the price down. Now I'm kind of sorry I didn't stick with the bidding longer.

[Jim Garber]

I guess these came out the same time as the first Gibson ES-150 electric guitar. Did the mandolin sell for $150 just like the guitar did?

I believe that the instrument with amp went for $150. I have an EM-150 and an EM-200. Come visit, Joe.

[Jim Garber]

Well, it went for just over a grand. I would have thought that it would've been worth a lot more, but perhaps the condition issues kept the price down. Now I'm kind of sorry I didn't stick with the bidding longer.

The auction did not meet reserve. It did not sell.

[Chief]

It says on further revue that listing was ended because item was lost or broken. What does that mean?

[Jim Garber]

It means little. Prob only that it didn't meet reserve and/or the seller ended the auction. As I noted above, the original buy it now was $2500.

[mandopops]

Hey Jim,
Yes, will be visiting soon. Details to follow.
Joe B

[Vernon Hughes]

I suspect an offer was made and accepted off ebay hence the ended listing. Great way to get around the ebay fees for both seller and buyer.

[pfox14]

Definitely a first generation EM-150, so possibly first year - 1937.

[Bob A]

For those who may not have in-hand experience, be aware that those Charlie Christian pickups are very heavy. They are bolted to the top; a lot of mass is concealed behind the wood. Cool factor is high, but it does impact playability to some degree because of the weight/balance, and doubtless has its effect on the tone, due to damping of the top.