1930 Something Gibson A-something

[jschall84]

So I'm trying to find some info on this mandolin that a local guy is trying to sell. It has no tag. I searched all over with a mirror and found no FON number or any markings what so ever. He thinks it is a 1935 but doesn't know the model number. I figured you guys might be able to help. He wants something like $2500 which seems really high to me.
80060800618006280063

[allenhopkins]

Looks like an A-50 to me, missing its pickguard. Fleur-de-lis inlay and straight-across Gibson logo seem to say mid 1930's; can't exactly tell if the fingerboard's raised off the top, but if so, also mid-'30's.

Should be a factory order number stamped inside somewhere. Gibson made bigger-bodied A-50's around 1940, I believe, so this wouldn't be that late.

[MikeEdgerton]

Look inside the f hole towards the neck block and see if there is a number stamped there.

[jschall84]

I used a dentist mirror and light and couldn't find any markings anywhere in the instrument except for a "-l" or "l-" in red pencil. I thought it looked like an a-50 as well, but every one I had seen had a different tailpiece.

[f5loar]

With the Gibson in pearl in small script and odd shapped flower different from what I call a normal Gibson Fluer-de-lay and a few other details I see I think it is a 1940-1941 A-50. The 1942-1944 had the same logo script and a small diamond inlay.

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

I suspect it's a late 30's, early 40's A50 as well. I must say the asking price is a bit steep - in my estimate (and personal opinion of course) probably twice as much as what a good one would go for.

[f5loar]

I just noticed this one has a bound fingerboard so I changed my mind. It's not an early 40's A50 but a mid 30's A-75. The A50 of the mid 30's is not bound on the fingerboard and not a pearl logo. And this one has the right pearl inlays for the A-75.
So a 1935 A-75 it is. And price is way too much. Should be no more than $1500 tops and in this condition much less.

[jschall84]

Thanks guys. I'll let him know about the price. I wasnt particularly impressed by this instrument. The neck is big and chunky and the sound is lackluster.

[barney 59]

The A75 is somewhat a rare model. Schoenberg has one listed for $2475 though it is in excellent condition.

[f5loar]

Dealers do tend to be way high on their store prices on these really clean rare models. I guess they would rather show them off then sell them. Let's people know they get in the rare stuff. The A75 is indeed a rare model but that don't make it desireable.
I'd rather have a 50's A50 as it would sound better and pick better.

[John Rosett]

The A75 is somewhat a rare model. Schoenberg has one listed for $2475 though it is in excellent condition.

And he's had it for several years...

[barney 59]

And he's had it for several years...

Same as the Altman,and yes, maybe for a couple of years which could be considered several depending on your point of view, Eric is the go to guy for guitars but not so much mandolins though he'll usually have a few nice ones. Banana has a A-75 (Players Vintage Instruments),not all that clean and I think he wants $2500. If I had one of every kind of A model Gibson lined up on a wall I guess then I'd want the 75 to complete the set but there are better choices out there. It's kind of cool though. I do notice that many of the more prominent dealers seem behind the curve as far as lowering to value of some vintage instruments that seem to be not that rare or in great demand. They do have a vested interest in keeping it appear that things have more value than maybe they should.