PDA

View Full Version : 1997 gibson a-4 ?



morristownmando
Jul-10-2008, 8:37pm
Correct me if i am wrong but i dont think gibson made this!! <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Mandolin-A-4-Musical-Instrument-Strings_W0QQitemZ260260718185QQihZ016QQcategoryZ10 1
79QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target='_blank'>http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-....iewItem</a>

northfolk
Jul-10-2008, 8:46pm
Well, it says A4 on the label, doesn't it? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

morristownmando
Jul-10-2008, 8:50pm
Well, it says A4 on the label, doesn't it? # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif
That's not what is in guestion here.It also says gibson on the headstock but thats not a gibson mandolin.

man dough nollij
Jul-10-2008, 9:01pm
Hmmm. The seller says "The best I can tell this instrument came to life sometimes in 1997". I wonder if it has come to life at all sometimes since then? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

mandocaster
Jul-10-2008, 10:02pm
I think the item description should read

Gibson Musical Instrument Strings
and A4 Mandolin

instead of Gibson Mandolin A-4 Musical Instrument Strings

prehaps the strings were made by Gibson

cooper4205
Jul-10-2008, 10:03pm
Well, it says A4 on the label, doesn't it? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif
That's not what is in guestion here.It also says gibson on the headstock but thats not a gibson mandolin.
judging by the emoticons, I'd say he was being sarcastic. That being said, it looks like a Johnson to me.

northfolk
Jul-10-2008, 10:16pm
Well, it says A4 on the label, doesn't it? # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif
That's not what is in guestion here.It also says gibson on the headstock but thats not a gibson mandolin.
I know that-just being a bit sarcastic? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

northfolk
Jul-10-2008, 10:18pm
Well, it says A4 on the label, doesn't it? # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif
That's not what is in guestion here.It also says gibson on the headstock but thats not a gibson mandolin.
judging by the emoticons, I'd say he was being sarcastic. That being said, it looks like a Johnson to me.
thank you. . . . . . . http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

markishandsome
Jul-11-2008, 8:34am
"I have taken several pictures in hopes this will show you the beauty of this mandolin."

Looks like the seller's being a little sarcastic too! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

JEStanek
Jul-11-2008, 9:17am
Definately an Asian import from the lower end of the price scale. #That tailpiece, fingerboard, and rosette all look pretty much like the Hondo/Johnson
http://www.proaudiomusic.com/images/HMAN20.JPG
with modified headstock and position inlay. #Maybe the finish was buffed back too.

Here's a picture of the buyer.
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/07/30/sucker_300.gif
Jamie
Edit: I don't think the seller is being sarcastic. Opportunistic, yes, fradulent, yes. Sarcastic, nope.

F5GRun
Jul-11-2008, 9:23am
Ok, def does not look like a gibby to me. The serial number checks out i guess, but thats not hard to fake. I had a johnson with a TP just like that too. The rossete look like a decal as well.

mandocaster
Jul-11-2008, 9:48am
I sent this question to the seller

"You have a 100% feedback rating, so you are clearly concerned about treating buyers right. Unfortunately, your mandolin is a fake. It is an inexpensive asian mandolin that would normally sell for less than $100 new. The lable and headstock decals are fakes. It is like putting a mercedes hood ornament on a kia. No one even slightly familiar with cars would be fooled. No one even slightly familiar with mandolins would be fooled by your mandolin. With your good feedback rating, I know you are an honest person. You should notify your unfortunate bidder and end your auction."

JEStanek
Jul-11-2008, 9:54am
More like putting a Ferrari logo on a Yugo!

Jamie

John Rosett
Jul-11-2008, 11:05am
Maybe he means that it's a-4...on a scale of 1 to 10.

mrmando
Jul-11-2008, 5:06pm
Yipe! Here's <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-A-4-Mandolin-1997-Built-in-Bozeman-Montana-WOW_W0QQitemZ370068262660QQihZ024QQcateg
oryZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">another one</a>.

cooper4205
Jul-11-2008, 5:29pm
I guess you would have to call those 'converted' Johnson (now Savannah) MA-110s

cooper4205
Jul-11-2008, 5:31pm
wow, there's one $500 bid! these things sell around $75-$80 brand new (with the correct headstock logo).

markishandsome
Jul-11-2008, 7:20pm
I don't think the seller is being sarcastic. Opportunistic, yes, fradulent, yes. Sarcastic, nope.

Um, I was being sarcastic. We need a :sarcastic: emoticon!

Jim Broyles
Jul-11-2008, 7:39pm
These are both from Texas - Weatherford and Austin. They are about 200 miles apart. Maybe a mando counterfeiter is working down there. The second one is at a pawnshop. Gibson was informed of the first one.

Jim Broyles
Jul-11-2008, 7:52pm
Sent to seller:
This is the second such mandolin to appear on eBay in two days,both from Texas. They are not Gibsons. In fact, they are Asian imports which sell new with the unaltered headstock logo for around $75-100.00. Gibson Guitars has been informed of these mandolins and I am fairly sure that they will prosecute. They have been known to threaten to file a lawsuit about the shape of competitors headstocks. There is no chance that I am wrong about this. I believe that you need to cancel any bids and remove this item, then contact Gibson and report whoever is selling this mandolin through you.

JEStanek
Jul-11-2008, 10:00pm
Good moves, Jim. Thanks.

Jamie

jim simpson
Jul-12-2008, 9:39am
The seller has not updated his listing in response to a number of informative directives. He has to know that he's perpetuating a fraud. I have seen a number of listings that will update a disclaimer after enough folks do some informing.

Gutbucket
Jul-12-2008, 9:58am
We've all heard about Gibson's questionable period when instruments might have not been up to snuff, but that one's really bad. It might have Sam Bush strings on it though. Does that make it a Gibson?

TomTyrrell
Jul-12-2008, 10:06am
The seller has not updated his listing in response to a number of informative directives. He has to know that he's perpetuating a fraud. I have seen a number of listings that will update a disclaimer after enough folks do some informing.
Having several people tell him his mandolin is junk has probably convinced him it is indeed quite valuable and people are just trying to lowball him.

markishandsome
Jul-12-2008, 11:17am
Same model Johnson, same headstock decal, same fake label, same F-style case, same state: undoubtedly forged by the same hand. If they did 2, they may have done 20. I can almost hear the Gibson SWAT team starting up their Hummer...

It is disappointing that the listing have not been pulled, but
you do always get a couple of cranks whenever you list something on ebay. Maybe if a few more of us contacted the sellers they'd believe it.

mandocaster
Jul-13-2008, 7:49pm
I got a reply back from the first guy


Hello, Thank you for your information. I bought this item through a pawn shop for alot more than I am selling. I was told this item was worth around $1500.00. Thank you.


I feel kind of sorry for him or her

Jim Broyles
Jul-13-2008, 8:09pm
The pawnshop hasn't responded to me yet.
The first one is pulled off eBay.

F5GRun
Jul-13-2008, 9:57pm
does this 2nd one have the same serial #?

markishandsome
Jul-13-2008, 10:01pm
They're different #'s.

mandocaster
Jul-14-2008, 12:18am
I emailed the guy saying that maybe he could get his money back. He responded


My friend own's the pawn shop, so I will get my money back, but he got the shaft. Thank you for your help, The last thing I want to do is mislead someone. Thanks again! T. Cryer

Bill Snyder
Jul-14-2008, 9:00am
See, not everyone on ebay is out to get you.

Jim Broyles
Jul-14-2008, 9:08am
That pawn shop still has the other one listed. I'm sure the guy knows it's a fraud. He's out to get people.

Steve Davis
Jul-14-2008, 9:16am
I wish Gibson WOULD reissue A4 and F4 mandolins.

Jim Broyles
Jul-14-2008, 10:42am
That pawn shop still has the other one listed. I'm sure the guy knows it's a fraud. He's out to get people.
Well he just emailed me:

I certainly appreciate the information and will end the auction right away!

And it is ended. Maybe the guy was a sucker himself. I'd love to know how he handles it with his "supplier."