View Full Version : Date this A-4 ?
Capt. E
Jun-11-2013, 4:56pm
Here on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-THE-GIBSON-MANDOLIN-C-1920s-Rare-Estate-Find-NR-/310683651673?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4856304e59
A black top A-4, replaced tailpiece and bridge, missing pickguard, Handel tuners (one button missing). Were the first black top A-4's in 1914? This one is missing the label. Just curious as to an opinon on the date. Is it priced fairly?
F-2 Dave
Jun-11-2013, 5:15pm
I own an '09 black topped A-4 with handels. This one seems overpriced to me considering the condition. Looks to be a number written in pencil where the label should be, but I can't make it out.
Capt. E
Jun-11-2013, 5:21pm
I had thought Handels were like 1910 and before. When were they last used?
It does seem overpriced, even for an A-4
F-2 Dave
Jun-11-2013, 5:24pm
The auction shows 1 bid over $1500. More power to them. In that shape, i'd think more like 700 to 800 on a good day.
Jim Garber
Jun-12-2013, 8:56am
This is not an A-4. I am pretty sure it is a K-2 mandocello. It also looks like they cobbled together an old Handel set clipped one side to put the black button tuner on. Missing original tailpiece too, tho it does have a scallop one. What a mess.
Body approx. 14"W & 18"L. Overall 37 1/2"L.
Gruhn has mandocello measurements here (http://www.gruhn.com/articles/mandofamily.html).
The A-4 mandolin, H-2 mandola, and K-2 mandocello are similar in appearance, except for size. Their basic specifications are as follows:
Model Name Body Width Body Depth Scale Length
A-4 9 7/8" 1 3/4" 13 13/16"
H-2 11 1/8" 2" 15 13/16"
K-2 14" 3 1/4" 24 3/4"
Thoughts about the price if this is a 'cello?
Capt. E
Jun-12-2013, 9:17am
Wow, didn't look close enough. I just saw the fretboard extension and the headstock inlay. Even with the non-original aspects, probably a nice price so far. Though until you get it in hand, it is impossible to know what repairs it might need.
Jim Garber
Jun-12-2013, 9:22am
I bet there are a few loose braces. Caveat emptor!!! Mandocelli are notorious for sunken tops too tho the bridge looks OK. Hard to tell.
mrmando
Jun-13-2013, 11:11am
$1845 ... not bad for a project K2.
Darryl Wolfe
Jun-14-2013, 9:17am
yep mandocello...I was watching that one
journeybear
Jun-14-2013, 10:15am
And ... sold! And pretty soon after the seller was informed of its true nature. Oh well!
Capt. E - I have Handels on my 1916 H2 mandola, so they were used at least that late.
lenf12
Jun-15-2013, 8:55am
IIRC Gibson stopped using Handel tuners sometime in 1917. My 1916 F-4 (in my avatar) has them. This mandocello is quite a mess but probably worth the selling price for someone skilled enough to do the needed repairs and willing to replace the non-original parts. Not my cup o' tea.
Len B.
Clearwater, FL