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Randi Gormley
Jan-31-2012, 9:15am
So please accept my apologies.

One of my band mates came in last night with an old Gibson A (probably an A-1) that she said belonged to her husband's grandfather. She thought initially about picking up the fiddle (she's a flute player, her husband is a guitarist) but a couple of us suggested she consider mandolin instead, and she walked in with this.

It's in pretty good shape, considering. Sheraton brown (i'm assuming) with an oval hole, no name on the headstock, gibson tail piece, top binding only, didn't see anything that resembled a truss rod cover, i believe it was a single ring rosette (you'd think I'd remember more. I played it for about an hour and a half) and if I remember correctly, the number inside was 220805. The lower side strip appeared to be coming out of its seat on the back but it appeared to be stable. The inside sticker says just Gibson and A model.

Anyway, I remember reading somewhere here that you could tell the year by the number (or by SOME number) and I couldn't find the post when I went searching. Probably my parameters were too broad. And I didn't have my camera with me so I didn't take pictures. All together way too vague to do more than some random searching, but I thought I'd make some beginnings.

She said she'll bring it next week and I'll take some pictures then, but if anybody would point me to the link on identifying Gibsons by number, I'd be much appreciative.

Jim Garber
Jan-31-2012, 9:27am
Randi: The serial number is prob 5 digits. You can check the dates roughly with a list of numbers in this pdf file (http://www.gibson.com/Files/downloads/bluebook/GibsonSERIALNUMBERS.pdf) (starting on page 2). My guess is that it is 1914/15. There is also a factory order number stamped on the neck block inside the body and there is a list of those that is supposedly even more accurate in dating these mandolins.

pfox14
Jan-31-2012, 10:18am
Yeah, you've got an extra digit in there. A 5-digit number in the 22000 range would date to 1913, which would match up with your description. I would also suggest posting some pix of the mandolin too.

journeybear
Jan-31-2012, 10:35am
I have used the file Jim offered as well as this one: http://www.guitarattic.com/Gibson%20Serial%20Numbers.htm

If I recall correctly, there are some inconsistencies between the two, but usually at the edges of date ranges. For comparison by physical characteristics, this is useful, though (as I have learned) not completely authoritative: http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson8.html This notes the year changes were introduced, and one assumes that everything not specified has remained the same.

Randi Gormley
Jan-31-2012, 11:00am
Perfect. thanks guys! I'll try to get some pictures next week.