This mandolin has come available "near" me. It is within driving distance, but farther than I'd like to drive without knowing more about it first. The seller inherited it and knows nothing about it or about mandolins or even, apparently, what a fret is.
What she's said about it so far:
"Vintage mandolin, showing some wear but in good condition with a case. $1200 "
and
"I was told it is a style A, the label is worn so I can't see the whole number... the instrument is in great shape except for the finish"
I have read the Gibson ID pages on this site and looked at a lot of photos on the Mandolin Archive site and cannot quite figure it out. The tailpiece doesn't look like an original Gibson tailpiece to me. I'm a player, not a collector, so I don't care, but I assume that affects its market value. The headstock says "Gibson" not "the Gibson". I can't tell from the photo if it is stamped on or inlaid and she hasn't answered that question yet. I only saw one instrument with that logo on it and I think it was a 1928, but the binding was different. I sorta guess that it is a 1928 or later A2.
I'm interested in what others think it might be and what is a reasonable price for it. Armed with better info, I might trek down and give it a try.
Thanks.
Bookmarks