Gibson A-3 with A-4 inlay?

**Matt Bowe** · May-02-2012, 6:01pm

http://www.ebay.com/itm/180872554762

http://imgur.com/PF7Hw

Unusual, no?

**Mike Black** · May-02-2012, 6:14pm

I don't see anything out of the ordinary with this. Are you talking about the headstock inlay? That's the classic A3 inlay.

**fatt-dad** · May-02-2012, 6:14pm

that's the a3 inlay just like mine
f-d

**Mike Black** · May-02-2012, 6:15pm

Oh... I see. You're talking about the rosette.

**Matt Bowe** · May-02-2012, 7:08pm

Mike - Yes. The soundhole - not the headstock.
Mia culpa.

**robert.najlis** · May-02-2012, 8:06pm

I commented on this mandolin on the mandolincafe facebook page. I think this might have been mine. Obviously at least an owner ago. If it is the same mandolin, and assuming that it is still in the same shape as when I had it, then it would be a ridiculously good steal at the current price. Of course it is not mine anymore and I have absolutely no financial interest, but I can say that if it is indeed the same mando, then it deserves a very good home.

**Matt Bowe** · May-03-2012, 8:06am

Robert - They ALL deserve good homes. ; )
Not casting aspersions. Just commenting on an apparent and interesting non-sequitur in the traditional A-3
appearance and assembly.

**Charles E.** · May-03-2012, 6:38pm

This A-3 has a nicer back then I have seen on other ones, maybe it started out as an A-4 but a flaw was detected in the top so they white washed it and made it an A-3.

**Matt Bowe** · May-03-2012, 7:04pm

Looks like the back is a one-piece, too.

**robert.najlis** · May-03-2012, 7:13pm

yep, assuming the its the same mando, its a one piece back. Someone told me it looked like mahogany, but I don't know.

**Matt Bowe** · May-04-2012, 10:30am

I'd bet the back (and sides) would be birch on an A-3. The neck is most likely mahogany.

**Matt Bowe** · May-04-2012, 10:40am

Anyone know what was used for the white finish on the A-3? Enamel?

**Ken Waltham** · May-04-2012, 6:25pm

Back to the soundhole rosette... Just when you think you've seen it all!
Yes, back and sides are birch.

**G7MOF** · May-05-2012, 2:39am

So was it just the A4 that had Maple back and sides?

**Ken Waltham** · May-09-2012, 5:53pm

No, they are birch too. Only F4's and H4's, K4's had maple back and sides.

**Brian Aldridge** · May-09-2012, 9:00pm

I don't know Ken...I have an A2z that I am pretty certain is maple. There are several A2zs listed on the Archive as having maple backs. Some of the later ones, with pics. Have a look and see what you think.

**Gary Hedrick** · May-09-2012, 9:14pm

I too have seen A4's and A2Z's with maple.......I think it is the typical Gibson thing......lot's of variation to "standards"....and oh yes I have seen F2's with maple also.