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Thread: Gibson a1 date?

  1. #1
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    Default Gibson a1 date?

    I found a Gibson mandolin on the Dutch CL (Marktplaats), i am pretty sure it is an A1 - could you guys have a look (photos)?

    The FON is 3456, and I am curious about the year it was built.

    I paid 780 eurofor it, even though it has some wear, it sounds great and its fun to play... Also, a nice case with it, I believe it is original? It has some fretwear and the wood on the lower frets is a bit worn, bit it doesnt ring. I think I will take it to a luthier and get it serviced... The bridge is non-adjustable, it looks really old - I believe some work could be done on the action, curious how that works out - sand of some off the bridge bottom? (I am a bit of a noob so apologies for not knowing the right terms

    Only the cover to the tailpiece is missing - if anyone knows where to find one, I'd be happy to hear from you...

    I got it from a elderly couple who didnt use itfor years - what are standard thinks to do when you score and old mandolin like this?

    Iam really happy with it!

    Thanks in advance
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  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson a1 date?

    Not all FON's are listed in the Spann book. 3458 and 3459 were both used in 1916. 3455 shows up in the Mandolin Archive as a 1920. Hopefully someone can ID it by the specifications.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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  3. #3
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    Default Re: Gibson a1 date?

    Gibson dates in the archives are largely based on George Gruhn's old research on serial numbers and factory order numbers that was published in 1991. Joe Spann's research is more recent and is based partially on old company documents that were not available at the time that Gruhn was doing his research.

    Since Spann now works at Gruhn Guitars and Gruhn uses Spann's work as his current reference, it is about time for the dating information in the archives to be updated to coincide with Spann's research.

    Some answers to the poster's questions:

    The pickguard, tuners, bridge, and finish on MadMatters' mandolin are all similar to those on other Gibson "low A's" made between 1916 and 1918. The case is original. Combining specs with the latest numerical research, a date of 1916 would be correct for this mandolin.

    A-1's from the early 'teens had a bridge with removable saddles, a slightly longer pickguard with a curlicue that encircled the treble bridge foot, and tuner posts with ball end tops.

    The A-1 was out of production from 1918 or 1919 until 1922. Starting in 1922, most A-1's were finished in Sheraton Brown, although some were made with black tops.

    The top brace and the seams should be inspected to make sure they are not loose. Any loose spots should be reglued, preferably with hot hide glue. These mandolins generally benefit greatly in playability by being refretted with modern fret wire. I have refretted a large number of these old Gibsons with the Stewart/MacDonald #147 fret wire and have had consistently excellent results.

    I'm afraid that it will probably be costly to replace the missing tailpiece cover.

    780 Euros is equal to 963 US dollars today, which is a very modest price for this mandolin.
    Last edited by rcc56; Mar-22-2018 at 12:32am.

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  5. #4
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    Default Re: Gibson a1 date?

    Thank you so much for your kind reply! In the meantime i figured out the faded numer in pencil, 35071, this would place it around 1917 also, according to this list. http://www.mandolinarchive.com/perl/...ins.pl?all:28:

    I am going to get it serviced, will use your pointers to discuss with him.

    And i thought it was a decent price, happy to receive some feedback on that too. Not planning to sell it, but nice to know that it has indeed the value i thought.

    Thanks again!
    Greetings, Matthieu

  6. #5
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson a1 date?

    You can sometimes find original tailpiece covers but not cheap anymore.

  7. #6
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson a1 date?

    Quote Originally Posted by bluegrasser78 View Post
    You can sometimes find original tailpiece covers but not cheap anymore.
    I went Googling, and I'd guess you'd be spending nearly $200 US at a minimum. There are replicas that are more affordable.
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  8. #7
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson a1 date?

    The case looks beautiful as does the instrument. Great buy!
    Jammin' south of the river
    '20 Gibson A-2
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