Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

  1. #1

    Default Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    I want to start by saying hello. I’ve read a number of posts looking for information and while I know nothing on the topic it is incredible how helpful and knowledgeable everyone is here. A friend of mine recently acquired a Gibson mandolin and I’m helping try to find some history and possible value. Hopefully I post these pictures correctly. The stamp inside the F hole says 32531 41
    Thank you.
    IMG_4453.JPG
    IMG_4445.JPG
    IMG_4447.JPG
    IMG_4452.JPG
    IMG_4451.JPG
    IMG_4442.JPG
    IMG_4443.JPG

  2. #2

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    here are the pics again
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	man1.jpg 
Views:	163 
Size:	99.3 KB 
ID:	178248Click image for larger version. 

Name:	man2.jpg 
Views:	130 
Size:	64.8 KB 
ID:	178247Click image for larger version. 

Name:	man3.jpg 
Views:	141 
Size:	131.9 KB 
ID:	178249Click image for larger version. 

Name:	man4.jpg 
Views:	146 
Size:	155.4 KB 
ID:	178250Click image for larger version. 

Name:	man5.jpg 
Views:	142 
Size:	138.5 KB 
ID:	178251

  3. #3

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    Looks like the A-40N, probably from the 1950s. It should clean up quite nicely.

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL

  4. #4
    Registered User slimt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Alberta
    Posts
    591

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    Nice little Gibson.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    Thank you for the input. It was purchased for $5, seems like it’s quite a nice find.

  6. #6
    Barn Cat Mandolins Bob Clark's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Beautiful Salem County, NJ
    Posts
    2,004

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    $5.00! Really?!!! Please tell him I'll happily double his money and pay the shipping!
    Purr more, hiss less. Barn Cat Mandolins Photo Album

  7. The following members say thank you to Bob Clark for this post:

    lenf12 

  8. #7
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Clark View Post
    $5.00! Really?!!! Please tell him I'll happily double his money and pay the shipping!
    Yeah, me too!
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  9. #8

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    Here is a bit of dating info based on the logo style:

    In 1947, the logo that is still in use today made its debut. This logo has a block styling with the "G" having a tail, the "i" dot is touching the "G", the "b" and "o" are open and the "n" is connected at the bottom. The logo is still slanted.
    By 1951, the dot on the "i" was no longer connected to the "G."

    So it appears this instrument was made before 1951 and after 1947. The tuners fit into that same time frame being what are called "single line" Kluson units. For tuner geeks, here is that info: http://www.guitarhq.com/kluson.html

  10. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    S.W. Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,507

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    My first good mandolin was from this same time frame, it was a very nice sounding mandolin. Nice score, I would gladly play many times over the $5 your friend paid for another.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  11. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    1,322

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    Quote Originally Posted by Robkennedy79 View Post
    Thank you for the input. It was purchased for $5, seems like it’s quite a nice find.
    Crap! I'd pay happily 10 times the $5.00 plus shipping!

  12. #11

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    I’m sure he would be open to selling it. He brought it to Guitar Center to get an estimate and they couldn’t tell him anything. I really don’t know what a fair number would be but I can relay the information if anyone is interested.

  13. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Brooklyn, NY, USA
    Posts
    1,249

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    The people here offering multiples of $5 are joking around because $5 is an incredible deal. If your friend is interested in selling he should get a real appraisal.

  14. #13
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    Gibson A-40's are on the market for $800 to over $1K. Not saying what this one's worth, but second the motion to get it professionally appraised.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  15. #14
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    It needs work. Where is it located? We'll try to find somebody you can take it to to find out what it needs done and what it's worth now and what it would be worth after it's fixed.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  16. #15

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    Thank you again for all the info. He is in Rockland County NY. A little north of nyc.

  17. #16
    Registered User f5loar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Salisbury,NC
    Posts
    6,468

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    I get 1961. Seems catalog specs for the 52 to 62 A40N models. looks all original to me.

  18. #17
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    13,103

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    If he gets down to Brooklyn he can take it to Retrofret for an appraisal/repair estimate.
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

    Notorious: My Celtic CD--listen & buy!

    Lyon & Healy • Wood • Thormahlen • Andersen • Bacorn • Yanuziello • Fender • National • Gibson • Franke • Fuchs • Aceto • Three Hungry Pit Bulls

  19. #18
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Sugar Grove,PA
    Posts
    3,371
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Gibson mandolin hope to find info

    Nice Gibson-but I'm a fan of their mandolins be it a 5 or a little A!

  20. The following members say thank you to William Smith for this post:


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
  •