Gibson_Lover Posted July 31, 2022 Posted July 31, 2022 Hello all, I am wondering if anyone can help me with further information on the date and potential value of a vintage Gibson mandolin. A friend of mine bought it in the USA in the 80s and was informed that it was from the 1930s. Other than that we don't know much about it! He's keen to find out its value, and I was considering buying it from him but would like to offer a reasonable price. Unfortunately neither of us has any idea what that might be! Could anyone shed any light on when this beautiful instrument was made or what one might expect to pay for it in the UK? Thanks in advance for your help. Quote
slimt Posted July 31, 2022 Posted July 31, 2022 (edited) Looks like a A1 - A40. Is there a number on the neck block inside? Or just this stamp in the f hole ? The numbers are hard to read. Is it white painted script on the head stock? Edited July 31, 2022 by slimt Quote
Murph Posted July 31, 2022 Posted July 31, 2022 (edited) Looks like 30's to me, but I'm no expert. I do own a 1933 A-00, I got it from George Gruhn. Mine's an oval. Chris Thile tried to steal it. Edited July 31, 2022 by Murph Quote
zombywoof Posted July 31, 2022 Posted July 31, 2022 (edited) There is some info showing up in the Gibson Original Instruments section where this was also posted. But as I said over there with A style mandolins it is easier to figure out what model it is not than what model it is. And when it comes to FONs you cannot place "Gibson" and "consistency" in the same sentence. But as noted over in that other section of the Forum, the combination of F-holes and the three-digit FON tends to rule out an instrument built in the 1930s and points rather to one built during the early part of the 1940s. You might also run over to the UMGF and do a bit of research about whether a bin number written in red pencil indicates a wartime instrument as at this point I am a bit hazy on it all. It will take somebody far better versed in Gibson mandolins than I am though to attach a model number based on features, Edited July 31, 2022 by zombywoof Quote
Holiday Hoser Posted August 1, 2022 Posted August 1, 2022 (edited) Somewhere around $1400 I figure. I have a mandolin I got from my grandma made in the 1800's but unless they REALLY small fingers back than it must be a kids model. <img src=”https://imgur.com/Qstpq3M”> Edited August 1, 2022 by Holiday Hoser Quote
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