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Thread: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

  1. #1
    Registered User BoxCarJoe's Avatar
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    Default Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    I was at the new musical instrument installment at The NY Met today and saw this.

    https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/700485

    1898. Wonder what it sounds like.

  2. #2

    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

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    1899 Gibson F
    Saw this at Carter Vintage the other day and wondered the same thing.
    " Practice every time you get a chance." - Bill Monroe

  3. #3
    Registered User BoxCarJoe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    That one looks awesome.
    I wonder if it had the hollow neck like the earlier one.

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    Registered User Aiki_Mando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    That Gibson A has my heartbreaking it is so pretty. I may have to head over to the Met this weekend. Thank you for posting!
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    Registered User EvanElk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    Gorgeous!...and gifted to the Met by the illustrious detective novel writing couple - Jonathan and Faye Kellerman!
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    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    Orville built these ones himself I do believe He was a groundbreaker in mandolin design there is no doubt about that! Nobody can take that from him-a true innovator that changed the norm of the times with his instruments.

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    Registered User Todd Bowman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    Quote Originally Posted by BoxCarJoe View Post
    That one looks awesome.
    I wonder if it had the hollow neck like the earlier one.
    The article says the neck is hollow. Says the neck, sides, and headstock are carved out of a single piece of walnut. Wow!

    Sure is a beaut!
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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    Quote Originally Posted by BoxCarJoe View Post
    That one looks awesome.
    I wonder if it had the hollow neck like the earlier one.
    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder !

  9. #9
    Registered User BoxCarJoe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    Anyone know what the original finish was?

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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    Orville was a visionary for certain. And think, over 120 years later everyone still uses his shapes.
    " Practice every time you get a chance." - Bill Monroe

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    Registered User CWRoyds's Avatar
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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    Quote Originally Posted by BoxCarJoe View Post
    I was at the new musical instrument installment at The NY Met today and saw this.

    https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/700485

    1898. Wonder what it sounds like.

    It would probably sound like this one.
    https://youtu.be/85a7BaTbU9s
    Mandolins: Northfield 5-Bar Artist Model "Old Dog", J Bovier F5 Special, Gibson A-00 (1940)
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    Guitars: Taylor 514c (1995), Gibson Southern Jumbo (1940s), Gibson L-48 (1940s), Les Paul Custom (1978), Fender Strat (Black/RWFB) (1984), Fender Strat (Candy Apple Red/MFB) (1985).
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    Registered User EvanElk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    Chris Thile could have made a snow shovel sound good!
    2003 John Sullivan F5 "Roy"
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    Registered User BoxCarJoe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    Quote Originally Posted by CWRoyds View Post
    It would probably sound like this one.
    https://youtu.be/85a7BaTbU9s
    Thanks for that.

    It has an interesting sound. But nothing like what is to come IMO.

  15. #14
    Registered User Dave Fultz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    I wonder how those were received back in the days when tater bugs ruled the earth? As a blasphemy? A miracle? Goofy looking? Obviously people came around to the modern idea of a mandolin.

    I like the arabesque moon and star logo. I do not know how that might fly today. At that time, middle eastern style was very exotic.

    At least Orville was not swayed but the Hawaiian craze and didn稚 make the modern mandolin shaped like an ukulele!

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    F5G & MD305 Astro's Avatar
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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    Re : "It would probably sound like this one.
    https://youtu.be/85a7BaTbU9s"

    Interesting to see how "scooped out" the rim is. Makes a more prominent groove than many you see today.

    Chris's genuine enthusiasm, coupled with his playing skills, makes all these mandolins he tries irresistible. I love the way he instantly and unconsciously tunes up all the instruments he tries in a blink of an eye as he continues unrelated normal conversation. No snark on there.

    I'm sure it's an incredible instrument but then again, he didn't buy it, did he ?
    No matter where I go, there I am...Unless I'm running a little late.

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    I have to get down to the Met also. It looks like there are a few new things at the new opening. BTW Jonathan Kellerman is a uber-collector. When you have two super-successful authors they can afford to amass an amazing collection. I have his book. For Fayes' birthday one year he gave her a Loar F-5. Nice, eh? They have a full quartet of Loar-signed mandolin instruments plus an L-5 guitar.
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    Default Re: Saw a Very Early Gibson Today

    Quote Originally Posted by BoxCarJoe View Post
    I was at the new musical instrument installment at The NY Met today and saw this.

    https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/700485

    1898. Wonder what it sounds like.
    I have one of these early star and crescent Orville A mandolins. It sounded nice until the neck snapped in half.

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