Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: 1937 Gibson A1

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    Nova Scotia Canada
    Posts
    8

    Default 1937 Gibson A1

    I aquired this instrument recently at a Vintage Guitar Show . Although I can't read it , apparently the serial number is 526 C6 . I was told that this is a slightly different variation in that the body is a little wider than most . True ? Also , when comparing it to pics on the web , I notice that the headstock is a slightly different shape . Am I missing something here ?
    I know nothing about mandolins . I am a bass player . I bought it to learn how to play .

    Pics attached.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20200404_094718.jpg 
Views:	170 
Size:	580.6 KB 
ID:	185725   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20200404_094646.jpg 
Views:	174 
Size:	755.1 KB 
ID:	185726   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20200511_090154.jpg 
Views:	3216 
Size:	725.8 KB 
ID:	185727  


  2. #2
    Teacher, repair person
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Southeast Tennessee
    Posts
    4,077

    Default Re: 1937 Gibson A1

    Gibson did briefly make the A-1 and A-50 models with a larger body from 1937 to circa 1942. They were not made in large numbers.

    According to Gruhn's Guide, the large bodied mandolins had a longer scale length of 14 1/2", compared to the standard scale of 13 7/8" for most Gibson mandolins.

    There were several variations in the shape of pre-war Gibson mandolin pegheads. Except for the "snakeheads", the variations were small enough that they are often not noticed.

    That's one of the cleanest '30's Gibson I've seen in quite a while. If the back looks as good as the top, try not to bang it up too much. Hope you enjoy it.

  3. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to rcc56 For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    Nova Scotia Canada
    Posts
    8

    Default Re: 1937 Gibson A1

    Here is the back .
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20200331_123946.jpg 
Views:	169 
Size:	269.9 KB 
ID:	185728  

  5. #4
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts
    2,044

    Default Re: 1937 Gibson A1

    526 C 6 is the factory order number (FON). According to Spann's book, 526 C is a known batch of A-1 mandolins from 1937. The 6 at the end probably stands for the 6th instrument of the batch. That's a very nice instrument. Hopefully you get a lot of enjoyment out of learning to play it.

    Per Paul Fox's book on Gibson mandolins, 298 A-1 models were shipped in 1937.
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
    https://www.facebook.com/LauluAika/
    https://www.lauluaika.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/Longtine-Am...14404553312723

  6. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Eric Platt For This Useful Post:


  7. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    Nova Scotia Canada
    Posts
    8

    Default Re: 1937 Gibson A1

    Is it commom for there to be no sticker inside ?

  8. #6
    Teacher, repair person
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Southeast Tennessee
    Posts
    4,077

    Default Re: 1937 Gibson A1

    Yes. During this period, Gibson usually only used paper labels on a few high-end instruments.

  9. #7
    Teacher, repair person
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Southeast Tennessee
    Posts
    4,077

    Default Re: 1937 Gibson A1

    [duplicate 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
  •