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Thread: New Gibson A-35?

  1. #1

    Default New Gibson A-35?

    Gibson will be showing off a new A-35 mandolin at Merlefest, according to this:
    http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyl...l-showing-423/

    Has anyone seen or played this yet? Have specs? Or a picture?

    The article also says they will have the A-5L. I could be wrong, but I thought the A-5L had been discontinued and replaced by the plain A-5 that lacked binding on the back. I guess it hasn't been discontinued after all?

  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    Here is a recent thread about the new models, I don't recall an A-35.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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  3. #3
    Musical Photo Junkie Chris Keth's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Here is a recent thread about the new models, I don't recall an A-35.
    I searched the Gibson site. It's mentioned once in the article that Col. Suggs posted. It's not listed in their available models, even though the other new offerings are.

  4. #4
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    I wonder if it's a typo.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  5. #5
    Registered User Trey Young's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    I seem to remember seeing something about the A35 somewhere's, seems like it was a white face A-5 looking thing...

    1924 Gibson A Jr. Snakehead
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  6. #6
    Registered User Trey Young's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=48205

    mentioned in post #7 in this thread, but only mentioned no meat to it...
    also, shown in the first video in the first post, just in passing...
    Last edited by Trey Young; Apr-24-2009 at 11:06am. Reason: updated with mo' info

    1924 Gibson A Jr. Snakehead
    2004 Elkhorn A-5, #3
    2016 White F-5, #6

  7. #7

    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    Thanks, Trey.
    I wonder if it will be a limited edition, and how it will differ from the regular A5 (other than in color, of course.)

    Sean

  8. #8

    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    Here is the A-35 prototype. Its actually whiter than these pictures make it out to be. It was designed with the A-3 in mind. It played well and I'd compare it to their A-5L. I didn't like the red body though.
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  9. #9

    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    Here's another shot of it.
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  10. #10

    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    Thanks!

  11. #11
    Registered User Gary Hedrick's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    David had it at the picking session we had in November......along with the rest of the instruments that Andrew took pictures of ..... not a bad sounding instrument....nicely built etc. It just was a little overwhemed by the other instruments that were there but that said for a given amount of money that a person might have to spend it would make a good buy. I enjoyed playing it ...I was just more intrigued by the Skaggs and the Heritage models.....and all the Dudes, Kimbles etc that were there ......

    Gibson is trying ....I must admit and I think that David is passionate about what he is trying to do so he gets an attaboy from me....

  12. #12
    Registered User Gary Hedrick's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    Oh ps.....the yellow tint is the flourescent lights in the shop area....it really is much white than that.

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    Site founder Scott Tichenor's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    One on eBay right now. I didn't know what it was, hadn't ever heard of one so a Google search brought back... right here.



    Don't know much more but at a starting bid of $4,495.00 I'd bet money it'll be unsold at the end. Looks like a model that didn't fly.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/251382282226

    Click image for larger version. 

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  14. #14

    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    Quote Originally Posted by thistle3585 View Post
    I didn't like the red body though.
    I personally think that the red looks really sharp. It's nice to have alternatives to all of the brown sunbursts.

    --Tom

  15. #15
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    My first Gibson was a white-faced A3 so this is pretty appealing and prob is a nice sounding mandolin tho the price is up there.
    Jim

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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    Can it be four times better than a Kentucky KM-900 or KM-950....I don`t think so, I assume they are made in the US, I know Gibson would never import any mandolins and have their name on them....

  17. #17
    Mandolin User Andy Miller's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    Quote Originally Posted by Willie View Post
    Can it be four times better than a Kentucky KM-900 or KM-950....I don`t think so, I assume they are made in the US, I know Gibson would never import any mandolins and have their name on them....
    No matter how it stacks up against a Kentucky, it's got some real stiff competition out there. I'd love to have $4,500 to go shopping for a great pre-owned A-style!

  18. #18

    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    I'm not sure if that is the same one or not but the finish looks like its been oversprayed and not buffed out. It may be the camera.

  19. #19
    Registered User pfox14's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    I bet the new A-35 will be a good seller for Gibson. Good for them for bringing back such a cool design and revisiting the past.
    Visit www.fox-guitars.com - cool Gibson & Epiphone history and more. Vintage replacement mandolin pickguards

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  21. #20
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    if it was $2K I'd own it! It'd be a perfect adjunct to my 1920 A3.

    f-d
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    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

  22. #21
    Registered User Chip Booth's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    I have not heard of this model. I like it! It is always good to see the style 3 inlay.

  23. #22
    Registered User pfox14's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    Hmmm, for some reason I thought it was a new model, but eBay mando is from 2009. $4495 is pretty pricey. Since it doesn't show up in a list of current Gibson models, I guess they discontinued it. Not sure what the deal is.
    Visit www.fox-guitars.com - cool Gibson & Epiphone history and more. Vintage replacement mandolin pickguards

  24. #23
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    Probably ran it up the flagpole -- and nobody saluted...
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  25. #24
    Mandolin Production Head dhmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    I have always loved the white faced Gibson A-3's of the late teens. I have owned a few and still have one. The A-35 was my brain child, combining an A-5 frame with the A-3 appointments and age varnish like the Victorian F-5. The results were great! Truly an incredible sounding instrument!
    The low production number just makes each of them more rare.
    This mandolin is in near mint condition, I know the owner, and not because he didn't play it!
    Happy Holidays!
    David Harvey

  26. #25
    Purveyor of Sunshine sgarrity's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Gibson A-35?

    So this is a varnished A-model?

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