Looking for info on a 1927 Gibson a-0 snakehead model.

[Aaron Watson]

Greetings I'm trying to get my head around the cryptic world of the Gibson serial number vs FON.

I'm in the process of purchasing a blacktop snakehead model a-0 and its SN and FON seem pretty out of whack.

The SN is 81046 dating it around 1924/25 and the FON assures me that it's a mb-0(?) made in 1927.

I love the sound, it's in excellent shape but I don't know what it's worth given that it's on the fringe of the Loar era instrument.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated

[MikeEdgerton]

Go by the FON, that will be when it was built. The SN may show a later ship date. The instrument might have been in stock in the factory and finished and serialized in later years. That isn't uncommon.

Do you have both numbers? You've only listed one as the SN.

[Aaron Watson]

Thanks for your reply Mike,

The FON is 8562...thats what's confusing.

The SN seems much earlier than the FON.

It seems kind of backwards.

Is there a big difference in build quality between 1924 and 1927?

[MikeEdgerton]

Loar really wasn't building the mandolins and there probably wasn't a great amount of employee turnover at that point. You can assume they would be similar. In the 30's things changed drastically. I'll check your numbers tonight when I can get to my books and see if they are what they seem to be. It has been said here often that that only consistent thing with Gibson over the years has been their inconsistencies.

[Aaron Watson]

Thanks very kindly!

[pheffernan]

Going from memory here, but I thought that the A0 replaced the A Jr. and was not offered during the snakehead years. The serial number would suggest a 1924/1925 date as you note. Are you certain that it's an A0 and not simply a blacktop A?

[Aaron Watson]

There's a very distinct a-0 on the label...

It's strange because according to Spann's FON research it was built in 1927 but the serial number suggests an earlier date, I've heard that usually it's the other way around...bit of a mystery.

Does $2000 seem like a fair price for a late twenties blacktop snakehead?

Thanks very much!

[mrmando]

$2K is a pretty good price. Is there a logo on the headstock? Top binding? Rosette? Pickguard? Oval label or round?

[Joe Spann]

Gibson manufactured batch 8562 in January 1927. It was a group of style A-0 mandolins.

Serial number 81046 would have shipped in February 1927.

There is no problem with the FON and serial number on this instrument.

[Aaron Watson]

The Gibson logo is on the headstock, it's got top binding, a thick rosette, nice pickguard (screw on type, not the clamp) and a white oval label...

[Aaron Watson]

Thank you very kindly!
Got a little confusing after many hours searching the web and my eyes are sore...

[Aaron Watson]

Were all the A-0 of this batch blacktop and snakeheads?

When were snakeheads discontinued?

Thanks again.

[MikeEdgerton]

I don't know if anyone would know that.

[Joe Spann]

In my experience Batch 8938 is the latest group of Gibson mandolins with snakehead-style pegheads. The would have been produced early in February of 1928 and then shipped out pretty quickly throughout the first part of the year.

Of course, Gibson built L-5 Master Model guitars with snakehead-style pegheads through 1934.

Joe Spann

[MikeEdgerton]

Joe, are there any records of the finish by FON?

[Tom C]

Is the Gibson logo straight or slanted?

[Aaron Watson]

The Gibson logo is straight silkscreened...bound top...blacktop...pinned pickguard...

[Joe Spann]

Joe, are there any records of the finish by FON?

Hello Mike. Not that I am aware of.

Joe Spann