1917 Gibson A pumpkin top with mahogany back and no label?

[8STRNG]

I recently aquired a gibson a model oval hole with original pickguard but there is no label inside.Its a pumpkin top but it has a mahogany back on it also has the gibson on head stock and tailpiece everything looks dead on gibson. No trussrod.The back is blond so are the sides.It looks to be a teens model.But is there anyway of determining the date also if the back was replaced would this take away from tone or add to it,or did they make a mahogany back a then?

[mrmando]

Binding on the back or just on the top?

Handel tuners or plain?

1-pc. bridge?

Can you post photos of the pickguard and its clamp?

Can you make out the factory order number on the neck block?

We may have seen this one if it was on eBay. The back is certainly refinished if not replaced (although lack of a label might suggest replacement). Birch is the most common wood for backs, but occasionally other woods were used.

If you post photos, we can tell you the model and put you within 2-3 years of manufacture date.

[8STRNG]

Binding on the back or just on the top?

Handel tuners or plain?

1-pc. bridge?

Can you post photos of the pickguard and its clamp?

Can you make out the factory order number on the neck block?

We may have seen this one if it was on eBay. The back is certainly refinished if not replaced (although lack of a label might suggest replacement). Birch is the most common wood for backs, but occasionally other woods were used.

If you post photos, we can tell you the model and put you within 2-3 years of manufacture date.

No binding on the back, adjustable bridge the pickguard and clamp look just like all the other teen models the number inside on the block looks like 1907. I dont have a digital camera.so i can't post any pics.The guy i purchased it off of said it was a 1917 a-1.But I dont know how he determined that.Also what would be the value of this mando if the back is a replacement?

[mrmando]

the pickguard and clamp look just like all the other teen models

Ah, but there were subtle changes in these throughout the decade...

It does sound like an A1, but the year would be only a guess.

It's hard to see it being worth more than $1,000 with a replaced back. I should think $700-800 is more realistic.