Identifying Vintage Mandolin

[Korbin]

Hello, my name is Korbin and this is my first time on the forum! I got passed down a mandolin from my grandparents yesterday. My grandparents got the instrument from my great grandma who was not a musician but just liked the way it looked. It has been sitting in storage for as long as I can remember. Im a guitar and bass player primarily but I am excited to learn a new instrument. I have attached a few photos for reference and I can take additional pictures if needed. The case it came in has an old set of black diamond strings and says Geib inc. Challenge. Chicago Trademark. Any information that you know will be helpful.



Thank you
Korbin

[William Smith]

Great Gift Buddy! It looks to be a 1936 Gibson A-1 by the style and burst, what is the FON# on the inside stamped through the treble F-hole on the back? It doesn't look to have a back brace or flat back so it's not an A-OO but then again it looks like no back binding? Looks all original, great shape but missing the clamshell tailpiece cover. You can have a repro guard made by a few guys in the trade. Do ya have the metal side guard bracket? These are great mandolins IMHO, even better as a free gift! Get it set up and enjoy.

[William Smith]

I'd say a new pearl or bone nut, a new bridge fit-use the base but your saddle is shot, or just use all new as the originals are usually dried out, check frets and all seems for openings as thats a common problem with these old things, have a mandolin luthier check it over for ya for an estimate or study and do it yourself. Enjoy

[NickR]

The case states GEIB INC CHALLENGE and it was in 1937 that this replaced the earlier Geib & Schaefer name. This suggests that the 1936 date is probably spot on- with the mandolin being retailed the next year with that case.

[Korbin]

Great Gift Buddy! It looks to be a 1936 Gibson A-1 by the style and burst, what is the FON# on the inside stamped through the treble F-hole on the back? It doesn't look to have a back brace or flat back so it's not an A-OO but then again it looks like no back binding? Looks all original, great shape but missing the clamshell tailpiece cover. You can have a repro guard made by a few guys in the trade. Do ya have the metal side guard bracket? These are great mandolins IMHO, even better as a free gift! Get it set up and enjoy.

Here is a picture of the FON#, I dont know if any numbers have faded but it looks like 48 6. It does not have a flat back or back binding. I do have the metal side guard bracket in the case. Thanks for the information and your help! Im scheduling an appointment with a local luthier this week to get an estimate for the initial set up, but plan on learning and doing it myself eventually.

[rickbella]

I'd say a new pearl or bone nut, a new bridge fit-use the base but your saddle is shot, or just use all new as the originals are usually dried out, check frets and all seems for openings as thats a common problem with these old things, have a mandolin luthier check it over for ya for an estimate or study and do it yourself. Enjoy

And replace the tailpiece with one appropriate for the era.

[NickR]

It looks like 48 C- which is 1937 but is not a known number according to Spann's Guide.

That tailpiece may be original- the Waverly "cloud" but missing the cover. If it is, then it makes your mandolin a Gibson A-OO which acquired an arched back after 1934 -a pressed arch with a brace, if it is. These 30s Gibson mandolins can be tricky- it's a shame that FON is not listed.

[NickR]

This is a 1935 A-OO with the flat back. It gives you something to compare yours with. The bridge was not adjustable and I assume this one may be original to the mandolin:

https://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-a00-1935-sunburst

[MikeEdgerton]

I believe this is a 37 A1. That back is carved. The tailpiece would be correct as it is indeed a Waverly missing the cover. The binding is correct for an 37 A1 with the exception of the back as far as I can see. Gibson was notoriously not consistent. It may have been a transitional instrument 36 to 37. In 36 the back wasn't bound but in 37 it was.

[Jim Garber]

Here is a '34 A-1: https://reverb.com/item/1331547-gibs...cco-burst-1934

I can't tell if the OP mandolin as binding on the back or not. The Reverb one above does.

[pops1]

Nice mandolin, maple back and 12th fret much more accessible than most of this era. Great score, you will enjoy this I am sure.