Gibson A jr mandolin
I have just recently purchased an unusual 1920 Gibson A jr mandolin. It is Sheraton Brown with all of it's original hardware including the case. What makes it unusual is that it has Ivoroid soundhole binding and a double rosette like an A-2. Other than that it is all Jr. It doesn't appear to have been altered. I'm wondering if anyone else has run across something similar. Many thanks
Re: Gibson A jr mandolin
Post some pictures. Gibson was all over the place on things like this. Is the mandolin in the Mandolin Archive? Also, can you post the FON?
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
Re: Gibson A jr mandolin
It is #62907. The FON is there, but barely discernable. Has a blue streak over it. Appears to be 22002 or A22002. Can't be sure. Have sent it to the Mandolin Archive already.Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton
Re: Gibson A jr mandolin
I don't see any FON's anywhere near that number even eliminating the first or the last number. Curious.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
Re: Gibson A jr mandolin
According to the Vintage Guitar Guide, serial number 62907 would be 1920, which seems to agree with the period in which Gibson made the A-Jr., and also is consistent with the paddle headstock and the lack of truss rod.
An "A" prefix for the FON implies 1935, which would be 'way too late for this, IMHO.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
Re: Gibson A jr mandolin
Love the look of it!
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Re: Gibson A jr mandolin
I know that number makes no sense. Should be 11xxx , but I've scrutinized it till my eyes ache and that's all I can come up with. There is another at the Mandolin Archive #62349. It is also a Jr with Ivoroid soundhole binding, but has a single rosette. No FON for it either, but was made around the same time. Thanks for all your interest. I wanted to bring it here because this place is a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Re: Gibson A jr mandolin
Sometimes I think the only thing consistent with Gibson was their inconsistency. I'm not shocked about the top on this and the other. It might have been a special order or they used tops they already had laying around, I don't know. Some of the second line Gibsons (Kalamazoo, etc.) made during the 30's had bridges they were using in the 20's. Like they swept the floor. I can understand th factory using non-conforming parts to get an order or batch out.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
Re: Gibson A jr mandolin
I don't think any of the A-Junior mandolins had truss rods.
Jim
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Re: Gibson A jr mandolin
Not adjustable ones, anyway, I guess. Thread (2014) discussing the subject.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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