Gibson

[kupp]

What other names did Gibson manufacture mandolins under?
Kalamazoo is one are there any others?

[ewallack]

I think certain older Flatirons have a Gibson pedigree...

[Jim Garber]

Recording King (for Montgomery Ward), Cromwell, Ambassador, Fascinator, Kel Kroyden, Mason, Nouveau, Wasjburn (1938-40) are a few. Not all the instrument that were labelled with these names were made by Gibson, but there were times that Gibson made instruments under these names.

Jim

[Lane Pryce]

Don't forget the Epiphones. Especially the MM70. Lp

[sunburst]

I think certain older Flatirons have a Gibson pedigree...

I think it's the other way around.
Certain Gibsons have a Flatiron pedigree.

Flatiron was making mandolins in Montana (12 a month, I think) when they were bought by Gibson and doubled production, putting the Flatiron name on half and the Gibson name on half.

I tend to think of all those mandolins as Flatirons because that's who was making them, but have gotten some indignant corrections when I've asked people if their Gibson mandolin was a Flatiron, meaning "is that when it was made...during the time Flatiron was making both?". "No! It's a Gibson !, came the responce.

[Bob A]

Gibson made some intense banjos for the Truett-George music stores, thick with carving. They were sold as "Trujo". They made at least one guitar under the name, which I have. It's a wonderful instrument.

BTW, no one at Gibson seems to be aware of this relationship. Pity they don't have a taste for the historical record, like Martin does. On the other hand, it would take up most of the grounds of Kalamazoo to keep records of their output, varied as it has been.

[mandroid]

Methinks (foggy memory) Epiphones such as in the 50's #were the makers of some fine guitars,some of their carved archtop jazz ones were equals to Gibson. Gibson bought the competition and the brand became the Pac Rim offerings at lesser ... er prices.


I have owned a few Guild guitars,flattops,2 from Hoboken NJ then the company moved to Westerly RI (by then, probably a nicer nighborhood) have an RI f30 now.
then Fender bought the brand and moved some production their californie locale, and also have a Pac rim line wearin' that brand.

[jim simpson]

This information was excerpted from an article on the history of Gibson; .....the lawsuit era ended with Gibson setting up shop in Japan. Because the name "Gibson" was trademarked by another corporation, Gibson Japan was branded as "Orville". Orville guitars were never marketed in the United States..... It goes on to say that "Orville" became "Epiphone" in Japan. I see Firebird Orvilles on Ebay from time to time, they usually fetch a decent price.

[Big Joe]

Let me correct a couple things. First, Gibson bought Epiphone in 57 to get its upright bass design. Epiphone did build some great guitars, but by that time they were in financial trouble. Gibson produced Epi's in Kalamazoo through 69. Many were very close copies of Gibson with the Epi names. In 70 they moved production to Japan. Most of the epi's have been made in the orient since then with occasional models built in Nashville.

The Flatiron company was bought by Gibson in 87. Flatiron and Gibson were made in the same facility, but they were not the same mandolin. There were many similarities, but there were numerous differences. They were more than just cosmetic. When the mandolin production was moved to Nashville the Flatiron was built the same as the Gibson with the little difference being ornamentation. Gibson discontinued the production because they could not build the same model (Gibson and Flatiron) and sell them under two different pricing structures. For those who have a Nashville Flatiron, you have an excellent bargain. Production was stopped a couple years ago. They were great mandolins and who knows. They could be introduced again in the future. I doubt they would be quite as close to the Gibson. Hope this information helps.

[John Rosett]

i once had a "capital" mandolin that was just like a kalamazoo, except it had a line of white "plastic" inlayed down the center of the fingerboard. i'm pretty sure that it was gibson made. for all you old kansas city pickers, it came from andy jenkins music.
john

[Jim Garber]

Gibson bought Epiphone in 57
The Flatiron company was bought by Gibson in 87.

Hmmmm... is there a pattern here. Did Gibson buy Dobro in 1997? What companies will be bought in 2007?

Jim

[Big Joe]

Actually Gibson bought Dobro in 92. Hate to ruin your pattern, but that's the way it is

[PaulD]

I haven't seen mention of the Alright (or Allright?) mando built briefly in the teens (?)... later to become the Army-Navy A model (?) and what the original Flatiron pancake was modeled after. I think they were built in 1917 and 1918. The (?) are because I'm unsure of my facts, but I have played an Alright and it sure has a similar sound to my Flatiron. In fact, I think the back is off that instrument... I need to go take pics and measurements... 'cause I'm a nerd that way.

Paul Doubek

[PaulD]

Took pics of the Alright tonight. If anybody's interested I can post them to the Photos... or Builder's... forums. Interestingly, the Flatiron is essentially ladder braced but this Alright has nearly vertical braces... I guess they're technically tone bars.

pd