New (to me) Snakehead

[maj34]

Hi all. I bought a Gibson snakehead mandolin several weeks ago, after years of wanting one. I have always liked the plain Sheraton brown A models, and I found one in great shape. The mandolin itself is very clean, and the original frets, nut, bridge, tuning machines, and case are all in great shape and working just like they should. The only negative is the missing pickguard. The upper frets show some tarnishing likely from the pickguard off-gassing or something, so I'm sure it's long gone.

This mandolin is not registered on Mandolinarchive.com, but I find its serial number interesting. The serial number is 71638, which makes it the only 7163x serial number on the archive that is not a Loar-signed F5--and it's three serial numbers away from David Grisman's Loar.

[Glassweb]

Good work... you scored! As far as the serial number... "Gibson - Business As Unusual". (aka don't think twice, it's alright...)

[Mark Miller]

That's beautiful. Cool that it's a near relative of the Dawg's!

[Larry Mossman]

Another fine mandolin in the hands of a very good picker ...

I have played this one and can attest to it's great condition and wonderful tone. And that case, wow...

You finally got your snakehead A Marc. mazel tov...

Larry

[Timbofood]

A reproduction finger rest can be had, I think several sources can be found in the classified section but, I'm sure someone will give you push in the right direction!
Nice find, enjoy it!

[F-2 Dave]

Great score. The serial number business is pretty cool too.

[Warren H]

This is a wonderful sounding instrument. I don't want to say too much, but there is a recording project in the works featuring some unusual Missouri fiddle tunes where this mandolin and an old F-4 figure prominently. More about that when the time is right.

I really enjoy hearing you play this mandolin. Remember, more than two of anything is a collection.

[Randi Gormley]

Congrats! Oddly enough, people I know with snakeheads or mandolins made about that time have removed the pickguard, saying they like the mandolin without. Mine came sans pickguard and I don't miss it. Just a thought.

[allenhopkins]

...I don't want to say too much, but there is a recording project in the works featuring some unusual Missouri fiddle tunes...

Any connection/collaboration with Kim & Jim Lansford?

[pops1]

Any connection/collaboration with Kim & Jim Lansford?

Sorry to say Jim has been gone for a couple of years now. Great musician and both wonderful folks. He is missed.

[allenhopkins]

Sorry to say Jim has been gone for a couple of years now. Great musician and both wonderful folks. He is missed.

Didn't know that Jim had passed. He and Kim were two of the most interesting musicians I went to Folk Music Week at Pinewoods Camp with. I have a cassette of Missouri fiddle tunes they did; really nice.

At the risk of a further hijack:

[pops1]

A year or two before he passed they were staying at our house and Jim slipped coming in and while he held his fiddle up so it landed on his lap the soundpost went thru the top. We were doing a nice jam and dance in the house and Jim was so bummed he didn't feel like playing at all. Can't blame him. He passed just before Gail Heil, I remember talking with Bob and Gail on our deck talking about how sad it was that Jim had passed and shortly after that Gail passed too. It's been a couple of years now. They had a wonderful sound, and I love their music. Jim had the most limp noodle of a wrist that I have ever seen, we used to joke about it.

[maj34]

I'm happy that this thread has turned into a way to think about Kim and Jim. A few of us here in Iowa City got to know them a couple years before Jim died, and we had some fun playing lots of Missouri tunes. I love their playing, and I miss Jim.