Does this say A2= or am I hallucinating?

**Geno** · Feb-01-2009, 2:15pm

I have ’24 A2Z which has a very faded label, but appears to say “A2=”. I’ve read about ’23 or ’24 snakeheads with A2Z appointments and labels that say A or A2-, but never A2=. This one has a blonde top, the extra-wide sound-hole ring, b/w top binding, bound fretboard and back, pearl logo, rectangular tuner plates, and a one piece back. The FON is 11999. I don’t see any in the Archives with the same odd A2= designation. Has anyone seen others like this or do you think maybe I’m just seeing things? Take a look for yourself.

**wannabethile** · Feb-01-2009, 2:22pm

As far as I can make it out, my guess is that it says A2Z.

But what do I know... ha ha

**danb** · Feb-01-2009, 2:22pm

I think it's a dash.. but the edges are sharply inked. It's about the same thickness as the bottom of the "2".. Do you have some more pictures of your mandolin? Sounds like an A2Z to me

**Scott Tichenor** · Feb-01-2009, 2:29pm

I took that photo and did some color correction, adjusted some of the red and yellows and then increased it to 200%. Here's what the result is. Looks like a dash.

**f#54** · Feb-01-2009, 2:32pm

Maybe this will help. There was a post last week on using uv light or some other light source to read old stampings. I looked but could not find. Crank up the tanning bed?

**atetone** · Feb-01-2009, 2:40pm

Isn't it kind of funny how we all wish so much for it to be a Z.
It makes zero difference to the mandolin but to us that Z is so important.
Lots of us are willing to pay more for that mandolin if it is a Z rather than a dash.
Me included! And I am not going to change.
I just have to wonder sometimes,,,,
It is the same with all "collectables" though, I suppose.
It is the little things that make the difference.

**Jean Fugal** · Feb-01-2009, 3:04pm

I Found this

**Geno** · Feb-01-2009, 3:23pm

Now that is interesting, Jean. Where did you find that and do you know what the FON is? I see no evidence of a Z after the - or = on mine.

**squirrelabama** · Feb-01-2009, 4:09pm

Jean's picture looks like a shot I took of my # 77658, fon 11951. I am looking at it now (in hand)- it is very sharp, and very clear. It is definitely an "equal" sign. To further support the argument that it is an equals sign, I have three other Z's all with the designation A2=. No Z. The = is very clear on 2 and kind of faded on the other. Not sure why they used that stamp rather than a regular dash, but looking at four examples right now, the = is consistant. Perhaps the lable stamper thought the = symbol would stand out more than a regular dash? Just my two cents.

**squirrelabama** · Feb-01-2009, 4:18pm

FWIW, I am now looking at a '23 A2, and there is no = or dashes or anything of that nature after the lable, and it is a pretty clean crisp lable.

Why the Z designation? Why is the Z missing on so many of them (later 1924)? Did Gibson decide that they did not like the Z designation?? Are the two parallel lines that make up the equal sign symbolic of two pieces of binding, as in the white and extra black binding around the top?? Ok, that was a stretch.....

**Geno** · Feb-01-2009, 5:40pm

Thanks for that illuminating information Geoff. To the naked eye, mine sure looks like an = too. I have a feeling that the boys at Gibson in the 20's weren't a bit concerned about being consistent with this stuff, but that just adds to the fun 80 years later. It sounds like you have a nice snakehead collection. What is your opinion about the maple vs. birch back debate? Here's a pic of the back of mine, but I'm not sure which it is.

**Jean Fugal** · Feb-01-2009, 9:49pm

I found it here .....

http://www.mandolinarchive.com/perl/...ndolins.pl?a2z

item #77658

**Matt Bowe** · Feb-02-2009, 6:43pm

What is your opinion about the maple vs. birch back debate? Here's a pic of the back of mine, but I'm not sure which it is.

That appears to be characteristic birch grain.

**Eddie Sheehy** · Feb-03-2009, 4:39pm

I've seen clearer pics of the Loch Ness monster. When I hold mine at an angle the pencil writing appears clearer....

**Geno** · Feb-03-2009, 10:44pm

The style designation is not in pencil, but is stamped and, as I said, quite faded. My wife took the photo with a high quality macro lens, and I don't think a better photo is possible. The dang thing is almost invisable now. The serial number is in pencil and is a little more legible. I also came across this pic from the Players Vintage Instruments site of a '23 they recently sold. It is a bit more clear. I'm beginning to think that maybe they all look a little (or alot) like an =.