Looks Like Folks Are Cleaning Out Their Attics In Colorado

[NursingDaBlues]

NFI. Just seems like there are a few more interesting mandolin family instruments on Craigslist than usual.

Stradolin mandolin
https://westslope.craigslist.org/msg...350427970.html

Gibson A9 Mandolin – unplayed
https://denver.craigslist.org/msg/d/...343915558.html

1917 A1 Gibson Mandolin
https://denver.craigslist.org/msg/d/...312227468.html

NATIONAL TRIOLIAN MANDOLIN
https://cosprings.craigslist.org/msd...341075377.html

Bass Mandolin - 1924 J Hole - The Gibson
https://westslope.craigslist.org/msg...332447989.html

1909 or 1859 the gibson Mandola
https://denver.craigslist.org/msg/d/...288410779.html

Gibson 1924 Snakehead A2Z Mandolin
https://denver.craigslist.org/msg/d/...337670104.html

[HonketyHank]

Oooo - A 1909 or 1859 Mandola. Like new. Like wow.

[Jim Garber]

I love the listing for the Gibson mandola and the price, too:

1909 or 1859 the Gibson Mandola with hand made case show contact info
In Mint condition never been work on . 6,999.00

Hah, Hank... you beat me to it!

[fatt-dad]

a '24 a2z for $2,500! Heck, that'd go for $4K without trying!

f-d

[Jim Garber]

Gibson 1924 Snakehead A2Z Mandolin
https://denver.craigslist.org/msg/d/...337670104.html

I always wonder what distinguishes an A2Z from the same era A2. I believe the A2Z's usually have the the solid ivoroid rosette and the name actually stamped on the label. I have what I was originally sold as a black A2Z but I realized later that it is actually a snakehead A2 and it actually doesn't say A2Z on the label but just "A-" tho it has the specs of a A2 of that era.

Not sure about this one tho the price is reasonable (tho seller only wants to local and for cash). The rosette looks like a straight A and possibly refinished and certainly with non-original tuners and no pickguard. Ah the joy of craigslist -- only one small photo.

[Jim Garber]

a '24 a2z for $2,500! Heck, that'd go for $4K without trying!

f-d

Looks like it is in not-so-pristine shape and I am not sure it is an A2Z. Agreed it is a good price but there may also be other issues and there is a difference in price between an A2Z and a snakehead A-2. The seller only provides one photo, too. Then again, seller only wants local sales in cash.

[pheffernan]

I always wonder what distinguishes an A2Z from the same era A2. I believe the A2Z's usually have the the solid ivoroid rosette and the name actually stamped on the label. I have what I was originally sold as a black A2Z but I realized later that it is actually a snakehead A2 and it actually doesn't say A2Z on the label but just "A-" tho it has the specs of a A2 of that era.

Not to veer, but this post made me think about this offering from Dusty Strings. I wonder what it says on its label . . .

http://store.dustystrings.com/p-3446...ByCategoryID=7

[Jim Garber]

But note that the rosette looks like it has that solid ivoroid center as opposed to the thinner lines on the craigslist one. Anyone know all the nit-picky details that distinguish between A2 snakeheads and A2-Z and should we care?

Ah, here's an authoritative thread. And resident expert Dan Beimborn says this:

A "True" a2z is a blonde or natural finished top, a snakehead, extra body binding (black then white) as well as "a2-z" on the Guaranteed label. There are some that are missing some of these features, and some mix-match models of snakeheads that really could be an A, an A1, an A2 or even an A2z depending on who you ask.

I have a feeling that the ones with the black finish might have been marked for A2-Z but there might have been some anomaly on the top wood that would show up in the blonde finish.

[pheffernan]

I have a feeling that the ones with the black finish might have been marked for A2-Z but there might have been some anomaly on the top wood that would show up in the blonde finish.

Like this one? It seems to be embedded in a FON of A2-z's.

http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/79224

[Jim Garber]

Like this one? It seems to be embedded in a FON of A2-z's.

http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/79224

Yeah, mine is very much like that one with the same rosette. I take it back about the A2Z's having that rosette. I see there are some that don't necessarily.

[Tom C]

I've never seen a pumpkin A-2 snakehead. possibly A2Z with A2 appointments???
He says he

[allenhopkins]

Look at enough Gibson mandolins from that era, and you'll eventually see everything -- instruments with finishes, binding, inlays etc. that differ from accepted specs. Must have been a loosey-goosey operation in Kalamazoo, at least some of the time.

[NursingDaBlues]

Look at enough Gibson mandolins from that era, and you'll eventually see everything -- instruments with finishes, binding, inlays etc. that differ from accepted specs. Must have been a loosey-goosey operation in Kalamazoo, at least some of the time.

True that! 1916 Style A "White Top" (with two broken tuners) that I picked up at a garage sale. Not an A3.



Sorry for the poor iPhone photo.

[jaycat]

It appears the Stradolin is still available. I inquired but the seller doesn't want to ship.

[allenhopkins]

Good price on the National Triolian, if it's in playing shape. Seller will "eat" the sales tax if paid in cash.

I spent two years in the army in Colorado Springs; I wasn't playing mandolin then, and would have had a hard time coming up with $1.1K even in "1967 dollars," but still...

[your_diamond]

It appears the Stradolin is still available. I inquired but the seller doesn't want to ship.

Clean little Strad. Surprised it's still available at $200

[colorado_al]

Clean little Strad. Surprised it's still available at $200

It is in Durango, a 6-7 hour drive from Denver. Unless the seller wants to ship it, I suspect it will not sell.

[ollaimh]

I always wonder what distinguishes an A2Z from the same era A2. I believe the A2Z's usually have the the solid ivoroid rosette and the name actually stamped on the label. I have what I was originally sold as a black A2Z but I realized later that it is actually a snakehead A2 and it actually doesn't say A2Z on the label but just "A-" tho it has the specs of a A2 of that era.

Not sure about this one tho the price is reasonable (tho seller only wants to local and for cash). The rosette looks like a straight A and possibly refinished and certainly with non-original tuners and no pickguard. Ah the joy of craigslist -- only one small photo.

i have wondered as well. i have two snakeheads, both have the ivroid bound sound hole and double ring rossette. one with the gibson screen printed on the head stock with black top, and the other refinished but origonaly the blonde top like in the picture, but A 3 inlaid headstock and other appointments. i have been told they are A2Z but how does one tell?

- - - Updated - - -

i have wondered as well. i have two snakeheads, both have the ivroid bound sound hole and double ring rossette. one with the gibson screen printed on the head stock with black top, and the other refinished but origonaly the blonde top like in the picture, but A 3 inlaid headstock and other appointments. i have been told they are A2Z but how does one tell?

pretty pricey with little origonal parts and probabl refinish.

[jesserules]

. i have been told they are A2Z but how does one tell?

.

"Normal" headstock: A2

Snakehead headstock: A2Z

(But see Post #12!)

[Jim Garber]

I think if it has a snakehead and says A2Z on the label, that is what it is. Otherwise it is some other snakehead model.