Anyone recognize this mando?

[mokaley]

Hi..a friend of mine has had this for years. It was his Brother's who passed away yrs ago. It's been sitting on a shelf in his study since. Anybody with some info, yr, etc. on this would be appreciated. Thanks!

[HonketyHank]

Pretty nice looking old Gibson. I'm sure you'll get specifics from the experts. The rest of us will try not to drool on the photos.

[FLATROCK HILL]

Mid 1900 something A4 with replaced neck? Ok, just a fun guess from a non-expert.

[GTison]

It is an early Gibson A4. You can check out other ones at the mandolin archive. Here is a similar one.
http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/2858

As to worth, that will depend on playability and condition, etcetera.

[GTison]

yes that headstock "Gibson" looks like early 30s or something.

[MikeEdgerton]

It's the truss rod that shows that it was re-necked, probably at Gibson after the early 20's. The mandolin itself looks to be from the very early 1900's. Can you look inside and see if you can see a number stamped on the head block (look through the sound hole towards the neck)? There might also be a serial number that is written on the label.

I'd put the body somewhere in the 1906 area and the neck in the 1930's. The number inside should give us the build year for the body.

The remote control isn't nearly as old as the mandolin

[mokaley]

Thanks Mike. I'll send you the serial # once I have it from my buddy. He said there was a hand written # on the label.

The remote looks like a 2012 Xfinity to me

[MikeEdgerton]

Have him look for the stamped number inside. That is the Factory Order Number (FON) and that is better for dating the body build date.

[mrmando]

Yeah, 1909 or earlier on the body, 1934 or later on the neck.

Original neck would have a nonextended fretboard, no truss rod, "The Gibson" rather than just "Gibson," and a larger fleur-de-lis further down the headstock.

[Jeff Mando]

I agree with what has been said. Early body with a replaced neck. Some people would consider the truss rod an improvement for playability, but not for originality/collector's value. Original neck probably had Handel tuners, which are missing. Appears to be strung as a lefty, with one string missing.....

[mokaley]

Thanks everyone! VERY helpful. The serial # on the label is 6482. He was thinking 1906 as the body year.

He played an A since he was a lefty. This hasn't been played or touched for years....

[mrmando]

Yes, 6482 would indicate a 1906 ship date.

The bad news is that a FrankenGibson like this isn't worth a heck of a lot. Less than a thousand, I'd say, even if it has a good vintage hardshell case.