1997 gibson a-4 ?

**morristownmando** · Jul-10-2008, 8:37pm

Correct me if i am wrong but i dont think gibson made this!! <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Mandolin-A-4-Musical-Instrument-Strings_W0QQitemZ260260718185QQihZ016QQcategoryZ10 1
79QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target='_blank'>http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-....iewItem</a>

**northfolk** · Jul-10-2008, 8:46pm

Well, it says A4 on the label, doesn't it?

**morristownmando** · Jul-10-2008, 8:50pm

Originally Posted by (northfolk @ July 10 2008, 21:46)

Well, it says A4 on the label, doesn't it? #

#

That's not what is in guestion here.It also says gibson on the headstock but thats not a gibson mandolin.

**man dough nollij** · Jul-10-2008, 9:01pm

Hmmm. The seller says "The best I can tell this instrument came to life sometimes in 1997". I wonder if it has come to life at all sometimes since then?

**mandocaster** · Jul-10-2008, 10:02pm

I think the item description should read

Gibson Musical Instrument Strings
and A4 Mandolin

instead of Gibson Mandolin A-4 Musical Instrument Strings

prehaps the strings were made by Gibson

**cooper4205** · Jul-10-2008, 10:03pm

Originally Posted by (morristownmando @ July 10 2008, 21:50)

Originally Posted by (northfolk @ July 10 2008, 21:46)

Well, it says A4 on the label, doesn't it?

That's not what is in guestion here.It also says gibson on the headstock but thats not a gibson mandolin.

judging by the emoticons, I'd say he was being sarcastic. That being said, it looks like a Johnson to me.

**northfolk** · Jul-10-2008, 10:16pm

Originally Posted by (morristownmando @ July 10 2008, 21:50)

Originally Posted by (northfolk @ July 10 2008, 21:46)

Well, it says A4 on the label, doesn't it? #

#

That's not what is in guestion here.It also says gibson on the headstock but thats not a gibson mandolin.

I know that-just being a bit sarcastic?

**northfolk** · Jul-10-2008, 10:18pm

Originally Posted by (cooper4205 @ July 10 2008, 23:03)

Originally Posted by (morristownmando @ July 10 2008, 21:50)

Originally Posted by (northfolk @ July 10 2008, 21:46)

Well, it says A4 on the label, doesn't it? #

#

That's not what is in guestion here.It also says gibson on the headstock but thats not a gibson mandolin.

judging by the emoticons, I'd say he was being sarcastic. That being said, it looks like a Johnson to me.

thank you. . . . . . .

**markishandsome** · Jul-11-2008, 8:34am

"I have taken several pictures in hopes this will show you the beauty of this mandolin."

Looks like the seller's being a little sarcastic too!

**JEStanek** · Jul-11-2008, 9:17am

Definately an Asian import from the lower end of the price scale. #That tailpiece, fingerboard, and rosette all look pretty much like the Hondo/Johnson

with modified headstock and position inlay. #Maybe the finish was buffed back too.

Here's a picture of the buyer.

Jamie
Edit: I don't think the seller is being sarcastic. Opportunistic, yes, fradulent, yes. Sarcastic, nope.

**F5GRun** · Jul-11-2008, 9:23am

Ok, def does not look like a gibby to me. The serial number checks out i guess, but thats not hard to fake. I had a johnson with a TP just like that too. The rossete look like a decal as well.

**mandocaster** · Jul-11-2008, 9:48am

I sent this question to the seller

"You have a 100% feedback rating, so you are clearly concerned about treating buyers right. Unfortunately, your mandolin is a fake. It is an inexpensive asian mandolin that would normally sell for less than $100 new. The lable and headstock decals are fakes. It is like putting a mercedes hood ornament on a kia. No one even slightly familiar with cars would be fooled. No one even slightly familiar with mandolins would be fooled by your mandolin. With your good feedback rating, I know you are an honest person. You should notify your unfortunate bidder and end your auction."

**JEStanek** · Jul-11-2008, 9:54am

More like putting a Ferrari logo on a Yugo!

Jamie

**John Rosett** · Jul-11-2008, 11:05am

Maybe he means that it's a-4...on a scale of 1 to 10.

**mrmando** · Jul-11-2008, 5:06pm

Yipe! Here's <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-A-4-Mandolin-1997-Built-in-Bozeman-Montana-WOW_W0QQitemZ370068262660QQihZ024QQcateg
oryZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">another one</a>.

**cooper4205** · Jul-11-2008, 5:29pm

I guess you would have to call those 'converted' Johnson (now Savannah) MA-110s

**cooper4205** · Jul-11-2008, 5:31pm

wow, there's one $500 bid! these things sell around $75-$80 brand new (with the correct headstock logo).

**markishandsome** · Jul-11-2008, 7:20pm

Originally Posted by

I don't think the seller is being sarcastic. Opportunistic, yes, fradulent, yes. Sarcastic, nope.

Um, I was being sarcastic. We need a :sarcastic: emoticon!

**Jim Broyles** · Jul-11-2008, 7:39pm

These are both from Texas - Weatherford and Austin. They are about 200 miles apart. Maybe a mando counterfeiter is working down there. The second one is at a pawnshop. Gibson was informed of the first one.

**Jim Broyles** · Jul-11-2008, 7:52pm

Sent to seller:
This is the second such mandolin to appear on eBay in two days,both from Texas. They are not Gibsons. In fact, they are Asian imports which sell new with the unaltered headstock logo for around $75-100.00. Gibson Guitars has been informed of these mandolins and I am fairly sure that they will prosecute. They have been known to threaten to file a lawsuit about the shape of competitors headstocks. There is no chance that I am wrong about this. I believe that you need to cancel any bids and remove this item, then contact Gibson and report whoever is selling this mandolin through you.

**JEStanek** · Jul-11-2008, 10:00pm

Good moves, Jim. Thanks.

Jamie

**jim simpson** · Jul-12-2008, 9:39am

The seller has not updated his listing in response to a number of informative directives. He has to know that he's perpetuating a fraud. I have seen a number of listings that will update a disclaimer after enough folks do some informing.

**Gutbucket** · Jul-12-2008, 9:58am

We've all heard about Gibson's questionable period when instruments might have not been up to snuff, but that one's really bad. It might have Sam Bush strings on it though. Does that make it a Gibson?

**TomTyrrell** · Jul-12-2008, 10:06am

Originally Posted by (jim simpson @ July 12 2008, 10:39)

The seller has not updated his listing in response to a number of informative directives. He has to know that he's perpetuating a fraud. I have seen a number of listings that will update a disclaimer after enough folks do some informing.

Having several people tell him his mandolin is junk has probably convinced him it is indeed quite valuable and people are just trying to lowball him.

**markishandsome** · Jul-12-2008, 11:17am

Same model Johnson, same headstock decal, same fake label, same F-style case, same state: undoubtedly forged by the same hand. If they did 2, they may have done 20. I can almost hear the Gibson SWAT team starting up their Hummer...

It is disappointing that the listing have not been pulled, but
you do always get a couple of cranks whenever you list something on ebay. Maybe if a few more of us contacted the sellers they'd believe it.