JeffD
Jan-04-2016, 1:35pm
Over the holidays I was relating a story of my Gibson purchase, as a young sprite back in the 80s, and I remembered some things don't seem to make sense when looked at closely.
It was 1983 or 1984. I remember walking around that music store three or four times trying decide.
It was a choice between two mandolins, both Gibsons, both made in the 20s. One an A style one an F style. I bought the A style. (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?albumid=10&attachmentid=50735) Its a 1923 A2 Sheraton brown snakehead SN#73934 FON#11865, and is a gem. I spent $1000.00.
What I remember about the other one is that it was Sheraton brown, with binding, F style, F holes, bound head stock, and I was told it was built in the same general time frame the early 20s. And the main reason I did not buy it, well two reasons. It cost as I remember $1250.00 which I didn't have, and I was not at the time enamored of scrolls and points.
I haven't thought about that other mandolin, the one not selected, in many years. And I have never seen one like it, so I am really questioning my memory.
Has there ever been a Gibson F style in Sheraton brown? I have never seen one since then, F4 or F5.
I remember someone (from the café I believe) who mentioned that a Loar F5 would have gone for something like $10,000.00 in the early 1980s, so the asking price at the shop doesn't make sense.
Any thoughts. Its a long time ago and I have slept since then.
It was 1983 or 1984. I remember walking around that music store three or four times trying decide.
It was a choice between two mandolins, both Gibsons, both made in the 20s. One an A style one an F style. I bought the A style. (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?albumid=10&attachmentid=50735) Its a 1923 A2 Sheraton brown snakehead SN#73934 FON#11865, and is a gem. I spent $1000.00.
What I remember about the other one is that it was Sheraton brown, with binding, F style, F holes, bound head stock, and I was told it was built in the same general time frame the early 20s. And the main reason I did not buy it, well two reasons. It cost as I remember $1250.00 which I didn't have, and I was not at the time enamored of scrolls and points.
I haven't thought about that other mandolin, the one not selected, in many years. And I have never seen one like it, so I am really questioning my memory.
Has there ever been a Gibson F style in Sheraton brown? I have never seen one since then, F4 or F5.
I remember someone (from the café I believe) who mentioned that a Loar F5 would have gone for something like $10,000.00 in the early 1980s, so the asking price at the shop doesn't make sense.
Any thoughts. Its a long time ago and I have slept since then.