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Thread: But it said it was a Gibson!

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    That is one of the worst fake's I've ever seen. All that binding appears to have been painted on with a brush.

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    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    Currently at $6.95. If that was the total price maybe but they are going to add $3.00 handling plus the shipping cost. That would be a deal breaker.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

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    Registered User slimt's Avatar
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    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    Good luck to goodwill.

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    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    Hey, apart from that dodgy logo, bridge and pickguard it looks all original- and well played. The body looks just like this black Mandolet- but without the holes. The headstock shape was used on some OS mandolins and by Regal. Somebody had to have a Gibson- but made do with this instead!

    Here are the Mandolet threads:

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...-PLEASE-Thanks

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...let-20s-or-30s

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    Harmony used that headstock as well along with probably a half dozen others. That body shape is unique and I can't remember where I've seen it. This body seems fatter than the mandolet models.

    OK, I know what the back resembles but I refuse to call it one of those because it isn't.

    The neck actually looks rather petite.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  8. #7

    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    I have to admit I cannot work out the maker and that back does look familiar- what with that tiny triangular heel which the mandolet shares. Yes, Harmony used that headstock shape in the 20s on plenty of Supertone mandolins before changing its shape in the very early 30s. One thing for sure- it is not a Gibson!

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    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    OK, I know what the back resembles but I refuse to call it one of those because it isn't.
    No Mike, it's definitely not one of those . . .

    Remember the thread on the 2 point flat back octave mandolin with the Gibson/Virzi label pasted in it, probably reproduced from an old trade magazine ad?
    I kind of liked that instrument, and wouldn't have minded having it, but with a damaged side and a price tag of many hundreds, it was easy to pass on it.
    I think the owner might still believe it was made by or for Gibson, and he even had a cheering section who agreed with him.

    I remember a Teisco electric with a Gibson label that hung on the wall in a local store for years. I think the store owner had it priced at something like $60, but it never did sell. Funny thing-- now there are actually people collecting Teisco guitars. I don't know why, though.

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    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    #playauthentic

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    Teacher, repair person
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    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    #theiconicgibson

    Overwhelming all others by flooding the market with their astonishing production of 3 dozen mandolins a year . . . [or is it 2 dozen?]

    To all competitors: "You have nothing to fear but fear itself."

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    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    I am no authority on such things . . . but since I can't find pictures of any other Gibson that looks like that one - I have to assume that it must me a one-of-a-kind custom shop model, and should be worth a small fortune!

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    A very small fortune. How small of a fortune you ask? Very very very very small. So small it doesn't even register as a fortune.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

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    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
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    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    But fortune-at-lee, beauty is in the eye of the beholder....speaking of fortunes
    Bernie
    ____
    Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.

  19. #14

    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    Last week someone went above $300 on a maybe early Flatiron 1SB. A bargain, a rotted hulk, or something else? I guess the fun is auction guesswork and sometimes getting a prize. This Gibson-in-label-only device might have been an owner’s sense of humor, or even his name. The total lack of provenance makes for interesting guesswork. A few of the regional Goodwill stores seem to have the ability to look for meaningful details; others think a mandolin is, and I quote, a “mediaeval lute”. I bought a pretty good piece of optics that the store thought was distressed. Wasn’t!

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    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    Maybe it was someone's dream and aspiration to own a Gibson, so they engaged in some wishful thinking. Maybe it even wound up at Goodwill because they attained their dream mando.

  21. #16

    Default Re: But it said it was a Gibson!

    That V neck sure has a fine speed neck finish tho…
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