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Thread: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

  1. #1

    Default New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    I was looking for a 23-24 Gibson A-Jr but fell into this beauty and just got her off eBay with a Best Offer -- a 1923 Gibson A snakehead.

    Really amazing sounding and looking instrument with what appears to be all original parts including original case with some very well worn string envelopes in it. Has the tortoise rear binding as well. Feel very fortunate to own this piece of Loar-era history.

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  2. #2
    Registered User Vernon Hughes's Avatar
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Very nice..i was drooling over that but the funds just weren't there..
    Hughes F-5 #1
    Hughes A model #1
    1922 Gibson A-2
    1958 Gibson A-5

  3. #3
    Registered User Fstpicker's Avatar
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Rare condition for its age. Excellent snagg!

    Jeff

  4. #4
    Brentrup Evangelist Larry S Sherman's Avatar
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Very nice...a classic! I bet it has a great sound.

    I have a copy of one and love it.

    Larry

  5. #5
    Registered User G7MOF's Avatar
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Nice find, Enjoy it!!!
    I never fail at anything, I just succeed at doing things that never work....


    Fylde Touchstone Walnut Mandolin.
    Gibson Alrite Model D.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Very nice indeed. I remember seeing it on eBay and thought you got a good price for it. Congrats, But no sound clip?

  7. #7
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Great instrument. I have a 23 A2 snakehead.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
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  8. #8
    Registered User pfox14's Avatar
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Nice find. Hope it was a decent price.
    Visit www.fox-guitars.com - cool Gibson & Epiphone history and more. Vintage replacement mandolin pickguards

  9. #9
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    I have one just like it! I have owned it for 26 years. The front of yours is in better shape than mine. I have owned several mandolins but the old A is hands down the best sounding most cool mando of all. You will love that mandolin for many years I hope. Never sell it. It is history that you can play.
    ntriesch

  10. #10

    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Quote Originally Posted by Larry S Sherman View Post
    Very nice...a classic! I bet it has a great sound.

    I have a copy of one and love it.

    Larry
    I love the '23, but I am in love WITH Larry's Brentrup replica.

    rm

  11. #11
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Triesch View Post
    the old A is hands down the best sounding most cool mando of all. You will love that mandolin for many years I hope. Never sell it. It is history that you can play.
    I agree. You got a good one. Things I love about it - that creamy Gibson sound, A style, snakehead, Sheraton brown (no burst), oval hole. Playable history.

    My A2 is my favorite. Every scratch and wear mark on it is mine. It sounds great and I will never ever sell it.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  12. #12
    Registered User Justus True Waldron's Avatar
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Being a bluegrass guy I have to say I never really got into the oval holes... until the other day that is, when I got a chance to spend some time with a 1915 gibson blacktop a4... just a really neat sound, and LOUD! Very airy and almost effortless sound. Had a lot of fun playing it, still not sure for my playing if it would be worth the price, but I can definitely see the draw! Your mandolin is beautiful, btw. Definitely cool.
    - 2004 Macica A
    - 1952 Selmer Centered Tone
    - Eastwood electric mandola
    (and lots more)

  13. #13
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Jeff, how long have you had your A2? Mine is a "23" also but mine is the plain A snake. I have J74's on mine for years with no problems. What set do you guys use? Nick
    ntriesch

  14. #14
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Triesch View Post
    Jeff, how long have you had your A2? Mine is a "23" also but mine is the plain A snake. I have J74's on mine for years with no problems. What set do you guys use? Nick
    I bought mine in 1985. It was in oh my goodness like untouched condition. Music Emporeum on Mass Ave in Boston. I assume because of the condition it spend most of its life in its case under someone's bed.

    I lucked out, to a large extent, because I did not have the ears I have now, and did not know how good it was.

    I use D'Addario J74s. I used to use GHS PF270s for many many years, and I don't remember why I switched, but I am happy with the J74s.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  15. #15
    Formerly F5JOURNL Darryl Wolfe's Avatar
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Wow, congrats. That is very clean and nice. It even includes a set of arrow end tuners not normally seen on that model. The rear binding is an especially cool thing

    Is this the listing that said "replaced binding". I called "not/BS" on that part of the write-up if so
    Darryl G. Wolfe, The F5 Journal
    www.f5journal.com

  16. #16

    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Yes Darryl. I agree with you. Looks 100% original.

  17. #17
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Good thing 23 was a busy year in Kalamazoo.
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  18. #18
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Awesome! I have a '22 A2 that is very similar except with the paddle head.

  19. #19
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    Wow! It looks great. I agree that it's a good find.
    Best Regards,

    Ronan

    www.mandolinyogi.com

  20. #20

    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    congratulations - such a beautiful design - how "A's" aught to look like

  21. #21
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    Default Re: New old acquisition -- 1923 Gibson A snakehead

    On my old 23 A-0, it also has the arrow end tuners. I also use J74 strings for many years now. Mine has the orginal case and pickguard but the case is very smelly! But the front face of your mandolin is fantastic!
    ntriesch

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