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Thread: 1917 Gibson A pumpkin top

  1. #1
    Registered User mandobassman's Avatar
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    Default 1917 Gibson A pumpkin top

    I was at a rummage sale this morning and came across a Gibson mandolin that was tagged as a 1917. The label was scratched up in some areas and the model number was not readable. I'm pretty sure it is a plain A model. Pumpkin-colored top with brown back and sides. The serial number is 36947 and the FON# is 3612. It was all original except for a missing strap button. Tuners were in excellent shape and turned easily. The neck had a very slight bow to it. The body was in excellent shape with no separations anywhere. There was a small crack on the back plate which came from near the neck joint straight back for about 4 or 5 inches, but it looked easily repairable. Frets were in decent shape. Overall, the mandolin was in very good playing condition. They were asking $850. Is this a good price? I thought it was but wanted to get some opinions. I wish I had taken some pictures, but I didn't think about it until after I left.
    Larry Hunsberger

    2013 J Bovier A5 Special w/ToneGard
    D'Addario FW-74 flatwound strings
    1909 Weymann&Sons bowlback
    1919 Weymann&Sons mandolute
    Ibanez PF5
    1993 Oriente HO-20 hybrid double bass
    3/4 guitar converted to octave mandolin

  2. #2
    Registered User Vernon Hughes's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1917 Gibson A pumpkin top

    Usually at yard sales a big wad of cash talks..I'd have laid out 600.00 and see what happened..850.00 a good price for one that needs little to no work done to be playable..Did it have the original case? That would up the ante slightly,at least for me..
    Hughes F-5 #1
    Hughes A model #1
    1922 Gibson A-2
    1958 Gibson A-5

  3. #3
    Registered User mandobassman's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1917 Gibson A pumpkin top

    This wasn't a yard sale. It's a company that buys up stuff from estate sales and re-sells it in a large parking lot every weekend. He said he was firm on the price. And, yes, it did include the original case, which was in superb condition.
    Larry Hunsberger

    2013 J Bovier A5 Special w/ToneGard
    D'Addario FW-74 flatwound strings
    1909 Weymann&Sons bowlback
    1919 Weymann&Sons mandolute
    Ibanez PF5
    1993 Oriente HO-20 hybrid double bass
    3/4 guitar converted to octave mandolin

  4. #4
    Registered User Vernon Hughes's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1917 Gibson A pumpkin top

    With the case,I guess thats a sound investment..I'd still haggle some..
    Hughes F-5 #1
    Hughes A model #1
    1922 Gibson A-2
    1958 Gibson A-5

  5. #5
    Registered User mandobassman's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1917 Gibson A pumpkin top

    I did a little research into the model description and it turns out it is a A-1 from 1917, instead of a plain A, which I originally thought it was. I don't know how much that affects the price, but I thought it was worth asking.
    Larry Hunsberger

    2013 J Bovier A5 Special w/ToneGard
    D'Addario FW-74 flatwound strings
    1909 Weymann&Sons bowlback
    1919 Weymann&Sons mandolute
    Ibanez PF5
    1993 Oriente HO-20 hybrid double bass
    3/4 guitar converted to octave mandolin

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