What year was my Gibson A-00 made?

[Capt. E]

I recently acquired a Gibson A-00 and have become a bit confused as to the year it was made. It has a carved back, so it is at least 1936. It also has a sunburst top, which I read somewhere was part of the specs in 1939 and after.
The FON stamped inside the back is 12030 with a penciled "13" just after it. My understanding is the A-00's were made as late as 1943.
Check out the photos in my Album: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?albumid=1273

[dustyamps]

Hello Capt., Spann's Guide doesn't have any 5 digit FON's listed during that time period but he does have FON 1203, a batch of A-00 models, from 1937. Gruhn's Guide has the carved back A-00's starting in 1936, and bound front and back models starting in 1939 so yours would fall in the 36-39 range according to his info. I believe all the A-00's had the sunburst finish. Congrats on the new acquisition. dusty

[pfox14]

I would say that the FON 1203 batch from 1937 makes sense to me. Your A-00 looks like a 1937

[Capt. E]

Interesting: somehow they added another 0 to the number...it is very clearly there (maybe the first stamp wasn't clear and they re-did it, leaving the 0 from the first stamping). Ok, FON 1203 - 1937 it is!. This particular A-00 has seen a lot of playing. Lots of honest wear. One oval wear spot on the top above the bridge must have come from the player wearing a watch or bracelet of some kind. It's exactly where your wrist lives while playing. There is also a good bit of pick wear hidden under the finger-board which means it was removed and re-mounted before I found it. I suppose it could be a replacement.