Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: 59 a-5

  1. #1

    Default 59 a-5

    I posted this photo from a calendar I have in the thread on my new mandolin because I had used it to get my inlay from the A-3. But it occurred to me what an oddball mandolin the 2 point seems to be.
    They say it's a 59 but nothing about it looks remotely '59. The neck is clearly a 70's F-5. But an A-5 from the 70's should be a lumper. Google Gibson A-5 and nothing like this shows up. Wondering what others think.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1195.jpg 
Views:	258 
Size:	833.9 KB 
ID:	166802  

  2. #2
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Kalamazoo, MI.
    Posts
    7,486

    Default Re: 59 a-5

    I concur, that’s 69-72 to my little eye.
    The “double bubble” truss rod cover is kind of interesting too.
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  3. #3
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,863

    Default Re: 59 a-5

    I'm thinking it was probably a Jethro Burns model A5

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...son-A-5-Jethro

    They were still building them in 69

    https://reverb.com/item/6551956-gibs...1CvD_BwE&pla=1

    Not too far a stretch to get to those 70's inlays. Maybe a custom order? Who knows.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  4. #4
    ===========
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    1,628

    Default Re: 59 a-5

    If I buy one, will I sound like Jethro?

    Actually, I play mandolin more like Homer than Jethro . . . that's why I named one of my mandolins 'Homer'.

  5. #5
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,863

    Default Re: 59 a-5

    Homer?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	homer.jpg 
Views:	93 
Size:	12.1 KB 
ID:	166809  
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  6. #6
    ===========
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    1,628

    Default Re: 59 a-5

    Looks to me like his right hand is trying to finger a 'D' chord . . . .

  7. #7
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Bozeman, MT
    Posts
    1,252

    Default Re: 59 a-5

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeZito View Post
    Looks to me like his right hand is trying to finger a 'D' chord . . . .
    Flanders is a wrongsides picker, not Homer!
    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
    2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
    Several nice old Fiddles
    2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
    Deering Classic Open Back
    Too many microphones

    BridgerCreekBoys.com

  8. #8
    Registered User f5loar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Salisbury,NC
    Posts
    6,468

    Default Re: 59 a-5

    The 50's A5s tended to be less reddish in color and that's what I see in this one. I suspect it's a '59 by the serial no. and neck was broken and it got a new neck in the mid 70's. yes the A5 was discontinued by late 1970 to make room for the new lumpy scroll A5.

  9. #9

    Default Re: 59 a-5

    Must admit I hadn't considered a re-neck. Here's a Taka that's clearly 70's but like all of those, no crosspiece.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	TakaMandoFFinChrWoWWW340.jpg 
Views:	117 
Size:	154.5 KB 
ID:	166952  

  10. #10

    Default Re: 59 a-5

    Pretty nice sunburst though.
    Was it a Taka, but not a Mine?

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •