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Thread: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

  1. #51
    Registered User mandotool's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	A4 Virzi 77438 1.jpg 
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    Here's a better look at the innards of A-4 virzi 77438 w/ butterscotch tuners..
    Thomas Quinn

  2. #52

    Default Re: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

    That's pretty interesting. I would agree with Tom, in that I felt that asterik was added by someone, other than the Gibson factory. But.. when I see the above photo, and it looks so similar, I feel I would have to rethink that idea.
    It would appear they are somehow connected.
    Do any other members have similar photos they could share?
    I have not closely followed this thread, is there a common element to these oval holes? Year, FON, Virzi???
    Ken

  3. #53
    Registered User f5loar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

    Maybe they were at one time owned by the same collector and that was his secret mark for theft ID. The two are similar but not exact. But Ken if you have not seen one before it would be odd. It looks more red ink like a ball point than the red pencil Gibson used in the FON.

  4. #54
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

    Maybe they were ordered by the same sales rep...
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

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  5. #55
    Cafe Linux Mommy danb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

    Occurs to me I have more photos of these, though I'll have to hunt. It could be an individual dealer's mark too.. that was one idea I'd had at the time..
    The Mandolin Archive
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  6. #56
    Registered User mandotool's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

    More likely a fountain penClick image for larger version. 

Name:	Gibson Red Asterisk.jpg 
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    Thomas Quinn

  7. #57
    Formerly F5JOURNL Darryl Wolfe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

    I have no idea but have seen this before. One thing we might want to explore is whether they are all FON's with the A suffix. They did something fishy for a while here and it could be tied to that for easy accounting purposes
    Darryl G. Wolfe, The F5 Journal
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  8. #58
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

    While I await the arrival of the mandolin that donaldraypat referenced upthread as his, can anyone tell me whether any consensus has been reached on the presence of the red asterisk?

    Thanks,
    Patrick

  9. #59
    Registered User mandotool's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

    No further Info has come to light since this thread back in August..
    Are you are expecting delivery of a mandolin w/ red asterisk?
    IF so.. by all means... post some photos
    Thomas Quinn

  10. #60
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

    Quote Originally Posted by donaldraypat View Post
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	1924 Gibson Loar Mandolin 003.jpg 
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    I hope this comes out ok. Not sure if I pasted it right.
    I am expecting its arrival tomorrow. One photo is available in my avatar. Others can be found here: http://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2648B/lots/2. And an interior shot was posted by donaldraypat on page 2 of this thread.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
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    2019 Hogan F5

  11. #61
    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

    Quote Originally Posted by mandotool View Post
    More likely a fountain penClick image for larger version. 

Name:	Gibson Red Asterisk.jpg 
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    Comment. Who ever made that mark had remarkable skill with a pen -- notice the three lines intersect almost perfectly. If it was a mandolin picker who did that I guess he was precise at least.
    Bernie
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  12. #62
    Still learning Taylor and Tenor's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

    Not to belabor a point, but based upon the latest information about the going-ons at Gibson in 1923; that what I was told by Julius Bellson forty years ago is TRUE. Namely, that my instrument WAS made in 1923, serialized in 1924 and most likely not shipped until 1925 when the model was discontinued as part the new management's purge of unpopular instruments.
    It really doesn't matter as I still have the notes I made from the conversation I had with Mr. Bellson 40 years ago.

    It was an interesting thread and I thank you for sharing it.

  13. #63
    Formerly "Porschefan" Stephen Porter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    While I await the arrival of the mandolin that donaldraypat referenced upthread as his, can anyone tell me whether any consensus has been reached on the presence of the red asterisk?

    Thanks,
    Patrick
    Patrick, did it arrive and does it have the red asterisk? Curious minds want to know.

    STP

  14. #64
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

    Quote Originally Posted by Stephen Porter View Post
    Patrick, did it arrive and does it have the red asterisk? Curious minds want to know.
    STP--

    It arrived on Wednesday with the asterisk: Click image for larger version. 

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    Patrick
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

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