View Full Version : Gibson Mandolin
Hi there!
If this needs to be posted to vintage mandolins, let me know and I'll move it. I've got a mandolin I need help finding a little bit more information on. I've got plenty of photos to help.
Backstory: through various moves of families, I ended up in possession of my great-grandfather's Gibson mandolin, among other things (including Civil War letters written by my grandfather's great-grandfather).
Here's what I know:
-Gibson manufactured
-Style A
-could be 1916, but we think it's earlier than that.
-serial number is 32004
I'm looking specifically for manufactured date.
149915
149916
149917
149918
149919
149920
Thanks for viewing!
George R. Lane
Sep-25-2016, 9:10pm
Look through hole and there should be FON (Factory Order Number) stamped on the neck block. Post that number and those that know will figure out the build date.
George R. Lane
Sep-25-2016, 9:16pm
By the way is that your Great-Grandfather's name carved into the headstock?
MikeEdgerton
Sep-25-2016, 9:18pm
How much earlier do you think it is? If you get the FON (the number stamped inside) we can be a bit more exact.
It is my great-grandfather's name carved in there. I think it makes it a little more awesome.
I will look for the code on the neck.
I don't think it's that much earlier, maybe a year or two.
MikeEdgerton
Sep-25-2016, 9:51pm
That FON corresponds to a Style A from 1915 so it is earlier :cool:
Awesome! Thanks!
How did you get that info?
George R. Lane
Sep-25-2016, 10:04pm
Ayla,
We ask not what Moderator Mike knows. For he knows all (or maybe a great deal).
AylaW
Sep-25-2016, 10:06pm
:))
Okay. Still appreciate the help
Ray(T)
Sep-26-2016, 4:13am
To add to what Mike has said, with the FON you can work out the date that a particular batch of mandolins started to be built. The Serial Number is specific to each instrument but they are not necessarily shipped in the same year as the build commenced. I have two mandolins on which the numbers are at least a year apart.
In your particular case, however, according to Spann's guide (the accepted bible on such matters) both numbers point to 1915.
From your photos, apart from the signature, the mandolin looks to be totally original - including the bridge with removable saddles - which is nice.
MikeEdgerton
Sep-26-2016, 5:29am
Awesome! Thanks!
How did you get that info?
As Ray(T) mentioned in his post the information is listed in Spann's Guide To Gibson 1902-1941 (https://www.amazon.com/Spanns-Guide-Gibson-1902-1941-Softcover/dp/1574242679). Joe Spann spent quite a bit of time compiling this information from Gibson's shipping records and other internal documents. His book changed the way most of us looked at dating these instruments. The Factory Order Number is now the more accepted source of the year manufactured.
Timbofood
Sep-26-2016, 7:33am
Ayla,
You have made contact with some of the most informed mandolin people ever brought together on this site(though, MY knowledge is severely limited) should any other questions or concerns about the care and feeding of that little gem come up ask and you will get answers. Probably more than you might really want but, you will have plenty to read!
Welcome!
Do you play or are you interested in learning?
I don't play, my husband does. I've thought about learning, but I've never pursued.
Jeff Mando
Sep-26-2016, 8:33am
nice heirloom!
G7MOF
Sep-26-2016, 12:25pm
Awesome! Thanks!
How did you get that info?
You could also find it on the Gibson Archive website.
MikeEdgerton
Sep-26-2016, 12:28pm
You could also find it on the Gibson Archive website.
Only if the mandolin is in the Archive unless Dan has added all the records.
MikeEdgerton
Sep-26-2016, 12:32pm
I'm trying to figure this out now. When I enter the FON it gives me a different serial number mandolin so in theory it might work as long as there is another mandolin in that same FON group and they are all the same. It isn't going to work if there isn't a mandolin from that group in there.