Gibson A9

[lukmanohnz]

I don't see these around much. What's the going rate for a used one?

[Tiderider]

$900-$1500 used would be a good price.

[Bernie Daniel]

$900-$1500 used would be a good price.

That probably covers the extremes on either end -- most seem to change hands the $1000 to $1200 price range. Just might add that at that price they are one of the bargains of the mandolin world IMHO. For that money you buy really all of the power and sound of a Gibson F-model, plus the Gibson name - meaning you'll never have trouble selling it.

My guess is it'll be a long time until Gibson builds an entry level mandolin like the A-9 again. But I hope I'm wrong.

[jim simpson]

This one seems a bit high:

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/msg/3449095254.html

It's been a while since I owned one, I got $1000 for mine after owning it for a year.

[John Kinn]

This one seems a bit high:

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/msg/3449095254.html

It's been a while since I owned one, I got $1000 for mine after owning it for a year.

That's WAY too high.

[multidon]

I think the plain brown ones were 1700 or 1800 brand new. Sunburst were 2200. If the guy in Pittsburgh has a brown one he is actually looking to make a profit over what he paid. The general public seems to think all Gibson mandolins appreciate. Not so!

[Tiderider]

In 2003 I paid $900 for my brand spanking new A9 through the now defunct Folk of the Woods.

[Dave N]

Can anyone comment on the fret wire used on these? I've read it is thin. Is it thinner than what Eastman uses?

[multidon]

I do not know the exact size of the fret wire but it is narrow, probably more or less the same as the Eastman. For a while Gibson made a mandolin similar to the A9 except it had bigger frets and a radius board. They called it the JamMaster. This might be what you are looking for if you want bigger frets. They didn't make them for very long though and used ones are scarce.

[Dave N]

Thanks a lot for the info about the Jam Master. I've seen the JM online, but really didn't know the difference between it and the 9 series. The radiused fretboard would be a real plus. And also I was looking at specs and saw the A9 has a 1-1/16" nut, compared to the 1-3/16 on the JM.

[Bernie Daniel]

Thanks a lot for the info about the Jam Master. I've seen the JM online, but really didn't know the difference between it and the 9 series. The radiused fretboard would be a real plus. And also I was looking at specs and saw the A9 has a 1-1/16" nut, compared to the 1-3/16 on the JM.

The nut and neck of an A-9 is and feels pretty much identical to an F-9 which it the same as an F-5G which is the same as...

The A-9 sounds like the F-models as well -- it's great bargain as it carries THE name as well.

You should be able to get one for about $1K -- although I imagine the price will continue to go up because of what I mentioned before. Gibson seems to be going to lower production volumes and the higher end models on mandolins which will mean most entry level instruments with the Gibson name will continue to increase in value. I think.

[bokchoy_ninja]

Hey y'all, just to bring this back to life... What is a good price for a "like new" Gibson A9?

[Eric F.]

I think the last one I saw for sale was offered at about $1700. I THINK I remember them being about $2200 new, but it's been so long since they were made I could well be wrong. It's hard to put a price on them when they come around so rarely.

[addamr]

A fairly nice one is probably going to be in the 1200.00 ball park.

Adam

[allenhopkins]

This one's currently listed on Reverb, asking price $1,850, condition described as "very good." This one's on eBay for $1,375, also described as "very good."

That's a near-$500 price range, which makes it hard to pin down a decent estimate. Perhaps you could consider those prices as the low and high ends of the range...?

[Charles E.]

My question is, why would you want one?

[addamr]

My question is, why would you want one?

I have an 03 A9 that I purchased new around 06, was my main mandolin until three years ago. Its a heck of a mandolin, still get a lot of compliments on the sound when I play it at some of the local jams and festivals. I think a person could do a lot worse in the price range.

Adam

[Charles E.]

That may be true, to each his own.

[seg]

Why? Cause it’s a Gibson man!

[Charles E.]

That means little or nothing to me. I still think they are one of the ugliest mandolins Gibson has made (baby poop brown-green finish over plain maple) and they relied on their brand name to sell them. There are a lot of better small shop American made mandolins with better tone woods and fit and finish to be had in the same price range.

[Dave Hanson]

I've got an F9, it's one ugly mando, it sounds fabulous.

Dave H

[Charles E.]

Fair enough, point taken. I am sure there are many happy F-9 and A-9 owners out there.

Just out of curiosity, who was behind the development of the 9 series mandolins at Gibson when those were built?

[jim simpson]

Fair enough, point taken. I am sure there are many happy F-9 and A-9 owners out there.

Just out of curiosity, who was behind the development of the 9 series mandolins at Gibson when those were built?

The F-9 was introduced in 2002, Danny Roberts tenure was 2001 to 2005. I don't know if he personally was behind the introduction or some brain-trust at Gibson. I currently own the one in my attached photo. I bought mine as a project and is currently on my bench for a neck reset. Prior to pulling it apart, I was impressed with it's sound and expect it to be a good one once finished. I also pulled the frets and re-fretted with gold EVO's of a little larger size. There seemed to be some issues with a number of the neck joints on these, not all. I don't mind the plain finish.

[addamr]

Nice brace of mandolins Jim. Been enjoying your repair thread of the F9.

Adam

[jim simpson]

Thanks Adam! It's coming along, I plan to update as soon as I get it done.