Three old mandolins walk into a bar...

...but how old are they?
I was just given these three mandolins and I’m trying to learn more about them. They were in a friend’s house for decades, she believes her grandfather played them. Lucky for me, I’m the only person she knows with a passion for mandolin! The two that were stored with pick guards, well, it makes me sad they were stored with the guards, but I have removed as much of the guards as I could. Necks seem solid on all three. I think one may be an early Snakehead, and it is in the best condition of the three. The number on the Black A style Gibson tag looks like 79731, and the number on the neck is 8229. The sunburst A style Gibson with F-holes, has a number 1138. The blond Oriole Kalamazoo, A style with f holes has the number 1997F, and then someone added the number 20 in pen. I can’t wait to get them playable again.Attachment 165622Attachment 165623Attachment 165624Attachment 165625Attachment 165626Attachment 165627Attachment 165628Attachment 165629

Wow!!! I'm jealous. All three look pretty good!

Wow, what a find. These look really nice.

Sweet! That is a great looking snakehead!

Great Score, she must like ya?? That's about a what 5-6G present altogether? The 1935 Gibson I like, does it have an elevated fret board? It should, If so it should sound great once set-up, I like those ones and have had a few. The snake is a 1926 the Kalamazoo I think is a 1940. Pickguard deterioration happens when stored in case for a long time/too hot etc...Way common but gases off and hurts the finish sometimes! Don't loose the guard brackets and you can buy repro. guards!

I hadn’t noticed, but it does look elevated. I added another picture of it. How do you get the ages? I’ve been googling Gibson serial numbers, but haven’t been able to nail anything down. I’m gonna have to find someone to work on them to get them playable. And 5-6k, are you serious? I hope they are in good enough shape for that to be true.

Well I knew that was an elevated by looking at it right away, With that style inlay and color of burst, 35 I have found to be the only elevated board "F-hole" A style besides the famed Loar A-5 from that era of 20's-40's anyways. Great little mandolins IMHO! I have one and have had 2 others, I really like them. The snake by the serial/FON # and peg head inlay style and the Kalamazoo you said has the F. After ya study a bunch over years one can tell-yep a Gibson mando geek here!
Well it depends on where ya live, where there may be a mando luthier around? Yes and serious about the price give or take depending on what needs done to each to make them playable again. Neck issues, cracks, separations etc...Do they have finish issues because of the guards deteriorating? If so I wouldn't worry too much and don't mess with the finish! I'd put what you have to into them and play them, Them there are some free goods that you for sure should put a little $ into if they need it that is!
I likes that 35 A-50, heck for free I'd take all too!

they do have some issues, I don’t think it’s too bad, but I think they were in an attic. :-( The necks seem fine, the sunburst has a thin split on the face, that I think even just a little humidity could fix, and the snakehead has some separation on the back near the end pin. The oriole seems to just be the off gassing. Not sure how badly that affects the frets and bridge.

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Originally Posted by Fishykiller

they do have some issues, I don’t think it’s too bad, but I think they were in an attic. :-( The necks seem fine, the sunburst has a thin split on the face, that I think even just a little humidity could fix, and the snakehead has some separation on the back near the end pin. The oriole seems to just be the off gassing. Not sure how badly that affects the frets and bridge.

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The snakehead has Gibson disease. Mine had that happen years ago and my luthier fixed it and it hasn't recurred yet (fingers crossed). Find yourself a competent luthier who knows how to handle that. I am sure there are quite a few folks on the Cafe who can do it if you can't find anyone locally.

As for the pickguard, keep the hardware and there are a few people here who make repro pickguards. The ones that come to mind are Paul Fox and Darryl Wolfe.

Gibson disease, lol! Glad to know it’s not fatal!

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Originally Posted by Fishykiller

Gibson disease, lol! Glad to know it’s not fatal!

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Gibsonitis, not sure of the spelling.

Does the 35 have a seam separation on the top if so humidity may close it but not fix it, it will need glue and clamping or ya could pass your fortune to me! LOL

Wow - I've never even been given 3 picks, much less 3 mandolins! Get them back in shape, and enjoy!

Major find there! Enjoy them.

Nice!

Wow!

Hey Mike!
Send me a private message with your address and I would be honored to send you three picks!

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Originally Posted by bluegrasser78

Does the 35 have a seam separation on the top if so humidity may close it but not fix it, it will need glue and clamping or ya could pass your fortune to me! LOL

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I don’t know exactly what you mean by a seam separation, it is a very narrow split, runs under one of the G strings basically, tough to see as it looks like a shadow from the strings or even the string itself in pictures. I do know at least two excellent luthiers, so when I have some cash the mandos will be well taken care of.