Need info on a Gibson mandolin

[Johnny-Alien]

I acquired this Gibson mandolin recently and I know nothing about it. I can't seem to find a serial number (the only thing I see is #9909 penciled on the inside) so I have no idea what the model number is or how old it is. I posted some photos below but can also give you guys anymore info you might need. It has it's old old case with it and a set of really old Gibson mandolin strings. The tuners are a little rough but other than that it's in great shape.

(These photos are gone now, sorry)

[jessboo]

do you have a picture of the back? if the back is mahogany it's an a40. the tuner button can be replaced. if the back is maple your looking at an a50 depending on the year maybe an a00.

[Johnny-Alien]

Here is the photo of the back.

(Photo is gone now)

[8ch(pl)]

Looks like Mahogany.

[Johnny-Alien]

Thanks guys. That would make it an A-40. Does anyone have any idea how to date this thing when all it has it the #9909 penciled inside. Also what is the general value of these things.

Thanks,
Johnny

[jefflester]

Elderly has a '62 for $700.
A-40 @ Elderly (http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/90U-3816.htm)

[Johnny-Alien]

So that one on Elderly is a mahoghany back? Mine looks very different grain wise.

[Paul Hostetter]

Looks as though the sides and back have been refinished. Very shiny, and an improbable color for a Gibson. This is more like it:

http://www.elderly.com/images/vintage/90U/90U-3816_body-back.jpg

The postwar celluloid buttons often die an uncomfortable death, but they can be replaced, either just the buttons or the whole set of gears.

[PaulD]

That's in great shape. When I bought my black top A-40 I was told it was about 1949-1950 (no label and no S/N that I've been able to see) and that it was worth $700-$750. Based on the pics you've posted it looks better to me than the one at Elderly. It's interesting that yours is only sunburst on the front... I wonder if that's normal for an A-40http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif Mine has a great action and tone, I think you've scored a very nice mando.

Paul Doubek

[Johnny-Alien]

I got it from my grandfather and it was never refinished. I never thought about it but I guess most that I have seen are sunburst on the back. The one at Elderly has a ton of issues and is an 'as is" item. Mine is in excellent condition and only really has normal wear for an instrument this old (aside from the chewed up tuner buttons which for all I know may be normal)

Thanks again for all the info guys.

[Bob A]

Per Gruhn's Guide; Gold script Gibson, modernised script with tail on G anf n, low-end models: gold silkscreen, closed b and o - early 1946 to c 1954; gold decal, c. 1954 to present. I'd guess yours has a decal?

That's just the peghead logo. There were several models that are pretty similar. The A40 is described as having a laminated mahogany back with a crossbrace.

[Paul Hostetter]

Johnny - the tuner buttons are normal, but they are not long for this world. Much of that old wartime celluloid developed a sort of chemical rot which makes the buttons shrivel and crumble.

I tend to refer to the “Vintage Guitar Guy” site on provide.net (http://www.provide.net/~cfh/) for Gibson information.

Model: A-40 Mandolin
Available: 1948 to 1971

1948 A-40 specs:
Symmetrical body, "F" holes, arched top and back, laminated mahogany body with cross brace, clamshell tailpiece, single bound top, rosewood fingerboard, dot inlays, natural or sunburst.
A-40 discontinued 1971.

Your stamped number would indicate early 1951. He says natural finish was an option, but you never (one should never say never when it comes to Gibson) see a sunburst top with natural other parts. Is the neck on yours natural as well?

I have seen A-40s that had solid backs. You should be able to see the players of ply (or not) around the unbound edges.

The companion mandolin was also interesting:

Model: A-50 Mandolin
Available: 1933 to 1971

1933 A-50 specs:
Symmetrical body, oval sound hole, bound top, back, fingerboard, fingerboard raised off of top, dot inlays, "Gibson" logo, dark red mahogany sunburst finish.

1934 A-50 specs:
"F" holes.

1937 A-50 specs:
Bound pickguard, fingerboard flush with top, varied pattern inlays, fleur-de-lis peghead inlay, pearl logo, brown sunburst.

1942 A-50 specs:
Clamshell tailpiece, small diamond peghead inlay.

1946 A-50 specs:
Yellow silkscreen peghead logo, no peghead inlay, laminated beveled-edge pickguard.
A-50 discontinued 1971.

[Johnny-Alien]

Hey guys! #I am resurrecting my ancient post instead of posting all of this information again. The tuners on this mandolin finally gave up the ghost (as in one crumbled off when I tried to restring it. #I am wondering who makes a good replacement for these. #Closed back would be preferable (as that is what the originals were) but whatever is good and requires no drilling would be the only real requirement. #I realize the pictures are gone but here is a link to one that looks pretty much just like it. This is the only other one that I have seen that has a natural back and sunburst front. #I asked my grandfather and it was definitely not refinished at any time. #The back on mine looks a slight bit more dark than the one linked though. #I have never fully dated it though. #Someone here said that the written number suggested somewhere around 1951 but then it looks like ones with decal logos were post 1954. #The one linked is a 59. #Crazy.

http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/90U-3926.htm

If anyone is curious I can try and take and post some new photos.

[Jim Garber]

You can also just replace the buttons if the gears are functional. Check at Stew-Mac (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Knobs/Tuner_knobs.html) or consult your local luthier. I can't imagine that it is too expensive to do and you would not have to worry about the post spacing.

[f5loar]

I can't see those original photos you posted. Don't show up. The Elderly does. Send me some photos direct and I'll narrow the date down. Does that number appear together as
9909 or is it 990-9? Also do you say it does have the back brace? Closed back Klusons means 50's. You seem them on ebay running around $40 to $100 a set. Send photos to
isenhour@vnet.net

[Johnny-Alien]

Thanks f5loar. I am going to take some photos and send them to you tonight. (I will post a few here for the curious as well) My original post was from awhile ago and the photos were removed from the server. The one I linked from Elderly is alot like mine although mine does not have the fancy tailpiece that says "Gibson" it is a tad plainer. To answer your other questions the number is penciled in and reads exactly like this "#9909" There does not appear to be a back brace. It looks just like a smooth solid back piece inside. The Klusons are close backed. The photos will be coming.

[Johnny-Alien]

Well f5loar confirmed that it is most likely a 1951 Gibson A-40. #Here are some photos for those interested.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii31/Johnny_Alien/gibson_mandolin_4.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii31/Johnny_Alien/gibson_mandolin_2.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii31/Johnny_Alien/gibson_mandolin_1.jpg

I am planning on replacing the buttons but not the tuners (as suggested above). #Which one of the following would more suit the bill as far as looks and what not?

These (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Knobs/Tuner_knobs/Mandolin_Tuner_Knobs.html) or these (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Knobs/Tuner_knobs/Vintage-style_Replacement_Tuner_Knobs.html)?