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Thread: Does anyone recognise this Gibson?

  1. #1

    Default Does anyone recognise this Gibson?

    Hi all!

    I need some help finding out which Gibson this might be. According to the seller there is no serial number to be found inside it.

    https://imgur.com/a/LUJNPd1

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  2. #2
    Orrig Onion HonketyHank's Avatar
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    Default Re: Does anyone recognise this Gibson?

    Looks like a late 1940's or early 50's A-50. I had one from that era and it did not have a serial number. But you may be able to find a Factory Order Number (FON), which would help pin down the date. I am sure others will chime in with more authority than I have.
    New to mando? Click this link -->Newbies to join us at the Newbies Social Group.

    Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and he will email you a copy of his ebook for free (free to all mandolincafe members).

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  3. #3
    Teacher, repair person
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    Default Re: Does anyone recognise this Gibson?

    Yes, it's a post war A-40.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Does anyone recognise this Gibson?

    Thanks for the quick response! Do you know what would be the expected price range of these today?

    The mandolin sounds good to me on the recordings I've received (albeit it has old strings) and is in tune up and down the neck.

    It does have a few cracks (edit: scrapes) which I can live with, particularly given its presumed age. The seller lives far from me so I won't be able to test it before buying.
    Last edited by almond; Jan-24-2020 at 4:47pm.

  5. #5
    Orrig Onion HonketyHank's Avatar
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    Default Re: Does anyone recognise this Gibson?

    Pickguard missing, scrapes on the top, cracks (?). I would not give more than $500, considerably less if the mentioned cracks are unrepaired or otherwise significant.

    and thanks, rcc56, I agree it's an A-40.

    Check out youtube for a video of Ricky Scaggs as a little boy playing an A40 or A50 with Flatt and Scruggs, singing "Ruby, Are you mad at your man?". Sorry I don't have a link.
    New to mando? Click this link -->Newbies to join us at the Newbies Social Group.

    Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and he will email you a copy of his ebook for free (free to all mandolincafe members).

    My website and blog: honketyhank.com

  6. #6

    Default Re: Does anyone recognise this Gibson?

    Thanks for your input HonketyHank. I actually meant scrapes, not cracks. The pickguard has been taken off but is included. I'll check out that video!

  7. #7
    Registered User Lane Pryce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Does anyone recognise this Gibson?

    Mahogany back, sides and neck = A40. Lp
    J.Lane Pryce

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  9. #8
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Does anyone recognise this Gibson?

    The tuners have been changed, those aren't original.
    "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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  11. #9

    Default Re: Does anyone recognise this Gibson?

    That's right MikeEdgerton. The original (broken) tuners were to be included separately.

    I'm looking into other options now. Thanks all of you for your input!

  12. #10
    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
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    Default Re: Does anyone recognise this Gibson?

    A-40

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