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Thread: A-2Z Question.

  1. #1
    Registered User G7MOF's Avatar
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    Default A-2Z Question.

    I understand (I think) the high pricing of a Gibson A4 what with it being the top of the range A style, but why the hiked prices for the A-2Z!
    Is there something I'm missing?
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  2. #2
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: A-2Z Question.

    there are fewer A2Zs than Loar F5s. I think less than 200 made. They are also great mandolins!

    In light of my A3 and my Cohen, I didn't really play my A2Z or my black-snake A1. Not that much, at least. . .

    They are nice though and priced, typically, north of $5k. That's what I got for mine in a quick private sale.

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  4. #3

    Default Re: A-2Z Question.

    I am guessing but some folks may want a Loar ear Gibson and not have $150-175,000 to buy one. So at $5-6,000 they may seem like a bargain?

  5. #4
    Gibson F5L Gibson A5L
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    Default Re: A-2Z Question.

    There is indeed something special about the A2-Z models. I have played many and found them to be excellent instruments. Pricey .... true, but tone .. oh yeah. R/
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  6. #5

    Default Re: A-2Z Question.

    The one I played was special. Enough others think so to justify prices. Can't argue with the marketplace.
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    Gilchrist (pick) Owner! jasona's Avatar
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    Default Re: A-2Z Question.

    Also didn't Andy Statman play one as his signature mandolin for a while? Really can't argue with how great he sounded!
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  8. #7
    Mandogenerator Mike Black's Avatar
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    Default Re: A-2Z Question.

    Quote Originally Posted by jasona View Post
    Also didn't Andy Statman play one as his signature mandolin for a while? Really can't argue with how great he sounded!
    Andy's was a Blackface Labeled as an A2 with the A2Z binding on the top.

  9. #8
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: A-2Z Question.

    David McLaughlin of the Johnson Mountain Boys used to play an A2Z as a second mandolin to his Loar. (More about that here: http://www.mandozine.com/media/CGOW/mclaughlin.html) When he sold that A2Z on eBay it fetched an unexpectedly high price.

    The next A2Z on eBay was located in Everett, Washington. I went up to visit the seller and have a look at the mandolin. It was fresh out of the closet and hadn't been set up or tuned up or anything, so there wasn't much I could tell about the tone. To my surprise, that one sold for $6,600 and the high A2Z prices were here to stay. They've slipped a bit since then, but not all that much.

    I bought mine from a little old lady in New York on CraigsList. I named it Rosie because someone had painted flowers on the pickguard and truss rod cover. Rosie had an excellent sweet tone and recorded well. Later I got a snakehead A4 that also sounded great, and one year when Uncle Sam came a-knockin' I made the difficult choice to let Rosie go to a new home in the Midwest. I was able to take advantage of the price inflation and collect more for Rosie than I had paid for her, but I was sad to see her go.
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  10. #9
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: A-2Z Question.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Black View Post
    Andy's was a Blackface Labeled as an A2 with the A2Z binding on the top.
    Somebody should make a copy of that instrument.
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  11. #10
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: A-2Z Question.

    How did A2 & A2Z binding appear different, got a/b pictures to link to?
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  12. #11
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: A-2Z Question.

    The A2Z has 2-ply top binding: a black inner strip and a white outer strip.
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  13. #12
    Registered User Billy Packard's Avatar
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    Default Re: A-2Z Question.

    I have a Loar era A2 that sounds great. I have played a handful of A2Z's over the years and my A2 sounds just as good. Gail Hester mentioned that the Loar era A's were very consistent whereas pre Loar examples could vary a lot.
    Like fatt-dad says, there were very few made and they do have a distinctive look. Also a narrower neck.

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  14. #13
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    Default Re: A-2Z Question.

    I am with Billy, I also have a Loar era A2 (paddle) that sounds as good, or better, than any Gibson A I have ever heard. It does have the wider neck, but when I bought it that was one of the requirements.
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