Gibson oval hole A models from the 30s

[hucklebilly]

Does anyone have any experience with Gibson oval hole mandos from the 1930s? How do they rate quality and tonewise to ones from the Loar era?

[rcc56]

I had an A-4 from the early to mid thirties go through my hands last year. Sorry, I don't remember the exact year, but it was from the next to the last batch listed in Spann's book. It was a good sounding mandolin, in many ways comparable to good A models from the mid to late teens; but fair warning-- I had to replace the fingerboard because the frets were so badly mis-located.

[dustyamps]

It was hard to sell a mandolin during the early 30's so Gibson made some real nice ones to help them sell. My 32 A0.

[jimmy powells]

My first Gibson mandolin was a 1932 A model. Black. A great mandolin and no worries at all. Needless to say I've regretted selling that one many times. I would have no hesitation at all.

[William Smith]

There are some mighty fine 30's Gibson Oval holes!