Larry burg signed gibson a-5l?

**Wolfbane Stevens** · Oct-18-2007, 3:58pm

Hi, I just bought a 1995 Gibson A-5L mandolin by Larry Burg (at least that's what the Ad description stated - could this be correct?). Anybody out there know how long he was in charge of things down at the mando-plant and / or signing mandolins? I suppose that this mandolin would have been made in Montana? Anybody else out there have a mid-1990's mandolin signed by Larry care to comment on the tone/sound/playability/construction of their instrument? I have to wait about a week to receive this so I can't wait to actually play it. Thanks for all responses in advance...

**Danny Clark** · Oct-18-2007, 4:08pm

i remember having a few signed by Larry Barnes and a Phil Brug

**56 Gibson Hoss** · Oct-18-2007, 5:42pm

You must mean Larry Barnwell. He was gen mgr of Gibson mandolins in Montana in the mid 90's.
He can still sing them good ole' Jimmy Martin songs.

**Danny Clark** · Oct-18-2007, 5:57pm

your right ,
and it may have been Phil Brag also ,its been to long !!!
Danny

**56 Gibson Hoss** · Oct-19-2007, 2:44pm

In answer to your original question about mid 90's F5's, these were made in Montana. I have a '94 F5L signed by Larry Barnwell. It is a great sounding hoss. Yes, it does have the mortise and tenion neck (with bolt) but that has not given me any problems. It is now almost 13 years old and still is in excellent condition.

**f5loar** · Oct-23-2007, 2:39pm

As I recall in those days at Gibson if you were an employee walking by the mandolin finishing table that day and they asked you to approve it and you thought it sounded okay to you they would let you sign it. I saw one signed by a janitor and another by a floor sweeper. I guess they were mandolins pickers by night and knew a goodin' when they picked it.

**barry** · Oct-24-2007, 6:14pm

Hmmm....
Anyone have one of these "janitor signed" F5's?

**1833** · Oct-26-2007, 12:28am

FYI ... The names are Phil Brug and Larry Barnwell. Phil was the shop engineer and I was the GM and at times the janitor as well. So in essence Tom (56 Gibson Hoss) has a "janitor signed" F5. He sure do know how to pick it too!

LB

**Big Joe** · Oct-26-2007, 7:37am

Hey Larry....long time no see my friend! Hope you are doing well.

**james condino** · Oct-26-2007, 8:02am

Somone out there has a Breedlove mandolin with the serial number in the low 7000s that I signed Ronald Regan one very boring day on the production floor years ago.....

I've also seen several old Gibsons with some guy named Lloyd signed on the label...

j.
www.condino.com

**1833** · Oct-26-2007, 12:11pm

Big Joe Vest,

Good to hear from you! I don't come here very often. (too busy peddling guitars) My friend Tom hipped me to the link. I hope all is still well with you. Please say hi to any buddies who are still around back there.

Larry