1925 Gibson Mandolin Production Estimate - By Model
There IS a single surviving Gibson factory document which describes production totals for the year 1925. But, only in broad categories (e.g. mandolins, mandolas, guitars, etc.- it is not broken down by model). This factory document is in the form of a hand-written spreadsheet and indicates that 1,195 mandolins were produced in the year 1925.
I have produced the following estimated production, using my own private serial number list in which I can document about 230 instruments from the year 1925 (or about 11% of the predicted total 1925 production). I gathered this information over many decades, and from various sources, (e.g. instruments I have personally inspected, information sent to me, internet websites and original Gibson factory documents). Please remember, these are only estimates, based on a reconstruction of 11% of the original data. However the total estimated number of mandolins produced from my calculations is 1,200, which comes very close to being in agreement with the actual total.
Joe Spann
A 300 units
A-Jr. 240 units
A-2z 200 units
A-4 180 units
F-2 40 units
F-4 240 units
F-5 none
Re: 1925 Gibson Mandolin Production Estimate - By Model
I'm a bit surprised to see only 400+ A2Z made; did their construction extend past 1925?
Re: 1925 Gibson Mandolin Production Estimate - By Model
A few Gibson A-2z model mandolins can be found shipping in the years 1926 and 1927, but all of the examples of my experience have 1924 or 1925 factory order numbers, thus indicating that they were left-over stock.
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Re: 1925 Gibson Mandolin Production Estimate - By Model
I believe my #81099 is early 1925, but in blonde. Found this one too, 81100, an exact duplicate, on archive and can imagine was on the work bench at the same time, making them twins. How many blondes that year? http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/81100 I've played mine next to others of the same era and it wins tone shootout every time. A real beauty.
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Re: 1925 Gibson Mandolin Production Estimate - By Model
Re: 1925 Gibson Mandolin Production Estimate - By Model
No surprise to see no F5s made in 1925 with plenty to pull from on the left over 1924s. Surprised to see the F2 so low.
Re: 1925 Gibson Mandolin Production Estimate - By Model
So, is my A4 a Loar era build, or just post-Loar? Any A4 from the era I've seen were sunburst. Is the blonde more rare? Doesn't really matter to me, other than "how does it sound?" I see that A4 at Bernunzio's above sold. Wonder what they got. Just curious. Not selling but wife will be after I die.....Will keep you posted.