Yup, Gibson made at least one of everything.

[goaty76]

This shouldn't take long with this crowd. Ok, who see's it?



Phil

[mrmando]

Is that Tim May? He seems to have a fondness for shots like this. Appears to be rebinding the fretboard on a 3-point K4, or perhaps it's another octave mandolin.

[goaty76]

No I don't believe that's Tim and yeah.....that's a three point K-4 mandocello. Pretty sure it's the only one I've ever seen. Guess I'm the only one that finds that pretty exciting.

[mrmando]

Quick Google search brings up this Pinterest image. Reportedly the serial number is 5264.

[mrmando]

Ah ...

http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/5264

"At some point, the neck was shortened somewhat, resulting in something closer to an octave mandolin. Restored peghead inlay and fingerboard. Gorgeous and unique."

[j. condino]

Is that the one that was for sale in Nashville about six years ago and had an equally cool, meticulously detailed and well done shortened neck graft on the case that look period correct?

That trio in the archive link is beautiful!

[Andrew B. Carlson]

Well if that doesn't give you MAS, I don't know what will!

[Tobin]

So who is it in the photo, then?

Whoever it is, I admire the fact that he's wearing a necktie and waistcoat under his apron. That's old-school, and looks sharp!

[Jeff Mando]

I admire the fact that he's wearing a necktie and waistcoat under his apron. That's old-school, and looks sharp!

I think neckties in machine shops became less fashionable once power tools were invented.............long pause.................and workers got pulled face-first into table saws, bandsaws, planers, etc........OUCH!

[Gary Hedrick]

I think neckties in machine shops became less fashionable once power tools were invented.............long pause.................and workers got pulled face-first into table saws, bandsaws, planers, etc........OUCH!

Indeed.....very unsafe......had a situation where a fellow had gloves on and was using a mill and brushed some shavings away and one of the fingers of the glove got snagged and voila' missing finger....

[ollaimh]

really cool

[mrmando]

So anyway, Phil, if the gent in the apron isn't Tim May, who is it, and what else can you tell us about that K4?

[goaty76]

I found the pic on the Facebook page of a small shop down south somewhere. I believe that is in repairs down there. Don't know much more about it other than I haven't seen any others.

I've always wondered about 5264 shown above. It's the only "K-4" from that time period I have seen and while it is listed as being converted to a shorter neck octave mandolin I've questioned if possibly that neck is original. There is also an original A style octave mandolin from the same year around.

Phil

[pheffernan]

There is also an original A style octave mandolin from the same year around.

I'd like to see more of that and didn't find anything in a quick perusal of the 1906 instruments recorded at the Mandolin Archive.

[goaty76]

I'd like to see more of that and didn't find anything in a quick perusal of the 1906 instruments recorded at the Mandolin Archive.

I was off a bit as the A style is actually from around 1904.

https://youtu.be/gJvkF27hJrg

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ctave-Mandolin


Phil

[Gunwald]

I think neckties in machine shops became less fashionable once power tools were invented.............long pause.................and workers got pulled face-first into table saws, bandsaws, planers, etc........OUCH!

Well, the risk is minimal whole wearing a vest like his and besides I see no powertools. Police and security have ties with Velcro fastening where I come from. Otherwise a bowtie could be an alternative.

[Jeff Mando]

Like bikers putting their long hair in a ponytail while working in a harley repair shop -- the risk is minimized, but still there.....