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Thread: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

  1. #1

    Default Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    I have had this instrument since 1984, music store said '76 model, so it was NOS. I haven't seen another one like it. Any help with possible value?
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  2. #2
    Registered User f5loar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    yeap, the old 70's lumpy scroll (some call them the mickey mouse ears model). This A5 replaced the previous A5 which had the 2 points on it with the red cherryburst finish. Even in great minty condition I don't see it being over $1500. But it is a real Gibson made in the mid 70's when they fired all the old luthiers and hired some space aliens to make them up until 1978 when they went back to building a better mandolin. They sound like an old F4 sorta.

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    Registered User John Soper's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    "They sound like an old F4 sorta."

    Yah, sorta... I'd much rather have an old F4!

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    I think there's a lump scroll A-12 in the classifieds right now. It's the same as yours only with F holes. They have been called the Gumby model here as well. As far as the value goes the F5's from that era usually don't bring a huge amount of money so these are not going to be seen as world beaters. Tom's probably right about the value.

    Here are two links to many many discussions:

    https://www.google.com/search?client...4dUDCAo&uact=5

    https://www.google.com/search?client...4dUDCAo&uact=5
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    Registered User Glassweb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    I've played a few of these that actually sounded quite good and they all had very nice, Loar-tapered necks... very comfy in the hand.

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    My friend Wayne Fugate has played a Smart mandolin for many years. You can hear some samples here.

    Lawrence came here (about an hour north of New York City about 12 years or so ago and showed off a few of his creations. Very nice mandolins for sure.
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  8. #7
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    I'm pretty sure Jim posted this in the wrong thread.
    Last edited by MikeEdgerton; Feb-15-2020 at 11:35pm.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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  9. #8
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    I'm pretty sure Jim posted this in the wrong thread.
    Non sequitur, ya think? I don't think A. L. Smart produced many gumbies
    Last edited by MikeEdgerton; Feb-15-2020 at 11:36pm.
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    I'm pretty Jim posted this in the wrong thread.
    First of all, I am "pretty Jim." not you. Also, I am pretty dumb to post that post which needs to be in the thread on Smart mandolins. Doh!
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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    First of all, I am "pretty Jim." not you. Also, I am pretty dumb to post that post which needs to be in the thread on Smart mandolins. Doh!
    You are pretty Jim I just don't know what happened to the "sure" that was supposed to be in that message.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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  14. #11

    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    Freudian slip?
    Loar LM-370

    “The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.” ― Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    Overdubbed now
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  16. #13

    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    Thanks for all the replies to this post; I'm much more informed now. I will probably put it up for sale, perhaps the Fishman bridge PU will add value to help it move. I'm interested in a quality mandola next.
    Here's a pic of my other mandolin:
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  17. #14
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    Quote Originally Posted by Darryl Carter View Post
    ...Here's a pic of my other mandolin:
    Looks just like the one I have, with the "stars & moons" cover plate, except mine has the round "screen holes" in the upper bout, rather than f-holes. Fun instrument!
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  18. #15

    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    Quote Originally Posted by Darryl Carter View Post
    I have had this instrument since 1984, music store said '76 model, so it was NOS. I haven't seen another one like it. Any help with possible value?
    Hello Darryl,
    I found this mandolin online , and see you owned it. Can you tell me more about it?

    Thank you

  19. #16
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    I think there's a lump scroll A-12 in the classifieds right now. It's the same as yours only with F holes. They have been called the Gumby model here as well. As far as the value goes the F5's from that era usually don't bring a huge amount of money so these are not going to be seen as world beaters. Tom's probably right about the value.

    Here are two links to many many discussions:

    https://www.google.com/search?client...4dUDCAo&uact=5

    https://www.google.com/search?client...4dUDCAo&uact=5

    “Gumby” is the kind version of what these poor creatures were called maybe it was only in Kalamazoo that they had some of the less “endearing” names but, they did exist.
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  20. #17

    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    In the early 1980s, although I had owned 2 Gibson oval holes, I always fancied a scroll model Gibson and this was the nearest I could get at the time. I bought it from an Italian Ice Cream seller, John Valente from Sunderland, Tune & Wear. It never sounded great and, like many others, I never really rated it. However, several years ago I went to a concert in the Isle of Arran, off the west coast of Scotland. The main guest was Eric Bogle, of Green Fields of France and Waltzing Matilda fame and his playing partner John Munro was playing one of these Gibson 'Mickey Mouse' Mandolins. He had a pick up in it and it was one of the best amplified mandolins I've ever heard.

    I thought the mandolin was overbuilt so no doubt the lack of overtones etc resulted in no feedback. Anyway- it sounded great.

  21. #18
    Registered User samlyman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    I have seen many but sadly never heard one that sounded like it deserved the name on the headstock. To quote Forrest Gump, "sometimes people (Gibson in this case) do things that just don't make no sense."

  22. #19
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    Default Re: Is this Gibson A-5 model familiar to anyone?

    I can see using an overbuilt mandolin for amplifying with a pickup. It makes sense to me.
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