nobanjotom - Posted - 12/11/2011:  09:50:31

I just traded for a Vega cylinder back mando. It was represented to be a 1925 but the owner was not sure of the date. Anyone know how to accurately date this mandolin? I cannot find a serial number. I would attach pictures but folks like me are excluded from that by the complicated, unfathomable method used here, known only to Computer geeks and folks with IP degrees.

If you can help me, please reply to evanstk@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Tom

Ben Venuti - Posted - 12/11/2011:  13:09:09

The cylinder back was manufactured from 1913 when they took out the patent and was discontinued in 1925. There should be a serial #, maybe located on the back of the headstock. A serial# and some research is the only way that you could positively date it. Serial number 38xxx is attributed to 1920,---that's a start.

Ben Venuti - Posted - 12/11/2011:  13:20:40

The cylinder back was manufactured from 1913 when they took out the patent and was discontinued in 1925. There should be a serial #, maybe located on the back of the headstock. A serial# and some research is the only way that you could positively date it. Serial number 38xxx is attributed to 1920,---that's a start.
I found my list First # for 1925---- 62419 last #-- 67436

nobanjotom - Posted - 12/11/2011:  13:39:00

quote: There are no numbers on the peghead or anywhere. The patent date and Vega are stamped on he neckblock and the brace right above the sound hole. It has openback strip tuners instead of the closed "plate" tuners I have seen. Thanks for the help.

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Originally posted by Ben Venuti

The cylinder back was manufactured from 1913 when they took out the patent and was discontinued in 1925. There should be a serial #, maybe located on the back of the headstock. A serial# and some research is the only way that you could positively date it. Serial number 38xxx is attributed to 1920,---that's a start.

I found my list First # for 1925---- 62419 last #-- 67436

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nobanjotom - Posted - 12/11/2011:  13:41:29

quote: Let me back up!!! On the end of the peghead are the stamped numbers 86911

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Originally posted by Ben Venuti

The cylinder back was manufactured from 1913 when they took out the patent and was discontinued in 1925. There should be a serial #, maybe located on the back of the headstock. A serial# and some research is the only way that you could positively date it. Serial number 38xxx is attributed to 1920,---that's a start.

I found my list First # for 1925---- 62419 last #-- 67436

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Ben Venuti - Posted - 12/11/2011:  19:02:17

According to my list an 86xxx serial # should be 1929 and the information I have says that the cylinder back was discontinued in 1925 ---so either some part of my information is incorrect ---or ---how clear are the stamped #'s on the peghead? Could the 8 be a 6?

nobanjotom - Posted - 12/12/2011:  03:33:27

quote: The numbers are clear and the first number is an 8. They are stamped on the end of the headstock, not on the back but on the end. I appreciate your assisance.

Tom

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Originally posted by Ben Venuti

According to my list an 86xxx serial # should be 1929 and the information I have says that the cylinder back was discontinued in 1925 ---so either some part of my information is incorrect ---or ---how clear are the stamped #'s on the peghead? Could the 8 be a 6?

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Ben Venuti - Posted - 12/13/2011:  08:03:15

This is then a mystery. If it was Gibson I wouldn't be surprised. Anything is possible with them. Sometimes Gibson would build something and not ship it for years or make something from parts that had been made sometime in the past. Unsigned Loars come to mind. Maybe yours was a special order,someone wanted a cylinder back years after they stopped production.