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Thread: 1901 Gibson?

  1. #26

    Default Re: 1901 Gibson?

    This makes me wish I had more mystery mandolins to post.
    Soliver arm rested and Tone-Garded Northfield Model M with D’Addario NB 11.5-41, picked with a Wegen Bluegrass 1.4

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  3. #27
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1901 Gibson?

    It's not that unusual for us to have this sort of thread. My favorites are the Frankenmando genre.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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  4. #28
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    Default Re: 1901 Gibson?

    Mike, I agree with you and in looking at the inlay again it is very unlikely that the inlay was salvaged from the original A4 neck. It was probably made by the luthier or hobbiest that replaced the neck. I have four A4’s in the collection including the one with the same FON as Chris’. Here are some photos of the inlays to compare.

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    Mark Lynch

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  6. #29
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1901 Gibson?

    Even the logo is wrong, I don't think Gibson did the work.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  7. #30
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    Default Re: 1901 Gibson?

    I notice that the tuners and TRC have all been fixed with cross head screws whereas originally they would have been slot head.

  8. #31
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1901 Gibson?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ray(T) View Post
    I notice that the tuners and TRC have all been fixed with cross head screws whereas originally they would have been slot head.
    Not in the late 1930's early 40's!

  9. #32
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1901 Gibson?

    Interestingly enough, there was a "1918 A-1" with similar finish and bridge that was sold through Music Go Round in Woodbury, MN over the past weekend. I did not see the instrument in person and the photo is from the Music Go Round Woodbury Facebook page.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
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  10. #33
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1901 Gibson?

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Platt View Post
    Interestingly enough, there was a "1918 A-1" with similar finish and bridge that was sold through Music Go Round in Woodbury, MN over the past weekend. I did not see the instrument in person and the photo is from the Music Go Round Woodbury Facebook page.
    Of course, it is near impossible to compare the two but the OP's looks more yellow and actually more tastefully done than the Music Go Round one IMHO. That is why I thought the refinish was done more by a pro than the inlay. The refinisher may not have tried to match what the original would have been but the quality of the refinish looks to me to be pretty decent. The inlay is waaaaaaaaaaay off in many respects.
    Jim

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  12. #34

    Default Re: 1901 Gibson?

    Would you guys feel comfortable putting 11-40 strings on it? It has 10-34 at the moment, which feel and sound like rubber bands.
    Soliver arm rested and Tone-Garded Northfield Model M with D’Addario NB 11.5-41, picked with a Wegen Bluegrass 1.4

  13. #35
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1901 Gibson?

    That should be fine. Vintage Gibsons take that gauge of string.
    Jim

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    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  14. #36
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    Default Re: 1901 Gibson?

    Chris, before you install new strings please check to see if the transverse top brace is secure, you can see it just below the soundhole. I would say that on 30% of the collection the brace was loose on one or both ends. Please have this checked!

    As far as strings, D’Addario J-73 or J-74 gauge strings are fine. The new Monel strings can sound pretty good on the old Gibson’s.

    Were you able to remove the cover and check for the existence of a truss rod?

    Mark
    Mark Lynch

  15. #37

    Default Re: 1901 Gibson?

    Yes on the truss rod.

    The brace does not seem to be loose. I’m grabbing at it as best as I can, and knocking on the top. No signs of play.

    EDIT- Re-strung it with a GHS set that was probably over 10 years old. It sounds better, but needs setup. I'm going to let it sit at least overnight before I start trying to mess with the truss rod. Not expecting this thing to steal me away from my F-5s, but I'm not into having meh-playing junk laying around.
    Last edited by MediumMando5722; Jul-08-2020 at 10:38pm.
    Soliver arm rested and Tone-Garded Northfield Model M with D’Addario NB 11.5-41, picked with a Wegen Bluegrass 1.4

  16. #38
    Teacher, repair person
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    Default Re: 1901 Gibson?

    D'Addario J74 is the absolute heaviest string I would use on an oval hole Gibson.
    I make up my own sets. 10 1/2 - 14 - 24 or 25 - 38 or 40.

    Push upwards on each end of the brace while the strings are loose and see if the top moves.
    If the top moves, the brace is probably loose at one end.
    If in doubt, let someone with lots of experience with old instruments check it for you.

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