DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online mandolin teacher.
Monthly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, mandolin news and more.
Premier Sponsors
|
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.mandohangout.com/archive/24640
runemel - Posted - 11/04/2011: 14:48:47
Got this instrument from someone who wanted to sell an old mandolin they have had stored away for years.
Edited by - runemel on 03/01/2013 08:58:09
UsuallyPickin - Posted - 11/04/2011: 15:34:27
It's commonly called a Gibson Paddlehead .. from the shape of the head stock.... It is an A model, not an A2, A3,or A4, which it reads"A" in pencil on the interior label.... Pre 1920's but not so early as the 0's as the pickguard is not inset .. probably teens... there is a site dedicated to Gibson serial numbers... value is based on condition, these are not rare,1400.00$ is a good ball park figure really clean examples go a little higher... those damaged or missing pieces go cheaper... Check Ebay and the classifide ads on this site and Mandolin Cafe.... R/
runemel - Posted - 11/04/2011: 15:57:22
Thanx for your helpful reply!
The closest serialnumbers I could find seemed to be #21610 (1913) & #21662 (1915), so I presume it´s somewhere in between those.
mandolinarchive.com/perl/list_mandolins.pl
But it is also much talk about the somewhat confusing Gibson serials and the lack of order..!? I guess I´ll check out some more here and on other sites you mentioned..:)
Thanx!
Ben Venuti - Posted - 11/04/2011: 19:58:40
I would have said 1911 but those numbers have changed recently with the publication of Spann's Guide which I have yet to acquire. The numbers have changed but not more than a year or two, for any serial number.
Not $1400 these days for a straight A. I could find one in less than an hour for less than $1000, I could do it again on the hour and probably repeat it for a whole day! Lots and lots of old A's around. No straight A model has cracked the $1000 mark in a least 6 months on ebay, and few of any vintage A of any sort has unless it's a Loar Era/ snakehead, or an A2Z or an A4 or uncommonly perfect. I know, I follow every vintage Gibson that shows up. They should be worth more money than they fetch considering what something equivalent to it would cost new today.This one appears all original and complete. They do tend to bring a little more when they show up in Europe, they are probably much less common there like Levin's are not so common here. It's definitely been played a lot but well taken care of beyond that. Does it have an original case? That counts! It's nice, play it, then you get the best value !
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Mando Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
