Hey all,
I have my eye on an old gibson A that looks like it has had its top replaced with a flat top. If one were to make a new top for it, would it mean having to remove the neck? I imagine so.
Thanks.
Hey all,
I have my eye on an old gibson A that looks like it has had its top replaced with a flat top. If one were to make a new top for it, would it mean having to remove the neck? I imagine so.
Thanks.
Cary Fagan
Not enough info to answer the question.
Are you thinking of replacing with an arched top?
The neck angle should be very different for a flat top as opposed to an arched top, so depending upon the neck angle the neck may or may not have to be removed.
I've done it both ways: replace the top without removing the neck and replace the top with the neck removed.
Can you post pictures?
John Hamlett
www.hamlettinstruments.com
I bought an old Washburn A5 style missing a top and carved a new arched top. I did not remove the neck, and it was beyond my luthier abilities to fit the top under the elevated fretboard nicely. It looks OK from 10 ft or so and I like the sound so I'm happy with it. With the fingerboard resting on the top plate I don't know how you would replace the top without removing the neck or at least the fretboard. I also left the plastic binding in place because I didn't feel confident in repairing the damage in the factory finish. That said, are you sure it's a flat top? The reflections look curvy.
SBJ, I sent that question to the seller. No response yet. Not in the same city.
Cary Fagan
I can't tell enough from the photos to know how bad the situation is, but it looks like some serious tampering has gone on there...
It would have to be really inexpensive for me to consider it interesting as a project (for an aspiring luthier, not for me).
John Hamlett
www.hamlettinstruments.com
Cary, there are plenty of reasonably priced Gibson A's out there. Unless someone gave that to you I would run the other way. For the cost to have someone make a carved top you probably could have a complete and playable mandolin. And even if you had a good top made for it it would not be particularly desirable if and when you decided to sell it. IMHO a true losing proposition.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
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
John gave you some good info in his first post.
It would probably be necessary to at least remove the part of the fingerboard that covers the top.
I also agree that the instrument has already seen some less that professional repairs, and if I were looking for such a project, I would only be interested in this one if the price was quite low. The fingerboard appears to be a replacement, and you would have to insure that the fret spacing is within spec.
Agree with Jim. For some reason, 1917-1925 Oval Hole Gibson A mandolins seem way under priced considering how resonant and rich the sound is and considering that one is buying a genuine and attractive antique. You could pick one up for 1200--1800 or so. The cost of the other one, plus repairs might approach 800? 1000? -- I don't know, but I sure love my 1917 A, even if it doesn't have that f hole chop.
You're all right. It was more a thought experiment, I think. I'm not actually looking these days for a Gibson. A passing notion on a winter project. I shall truly let it pass, thanks.
BTW, the seller says the top is carved.
Cary Fagan
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
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
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