Gibson Vintage A Style Mandolin Brilliant Sound MustSee Start Price USD 500.00 Current Price USD 645.00 Time Left - Bid Count 10 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, October 03, 2008 End Time Friday, October 10, 2008 Location Collinsville, Illinois See more about 'Gibson Vintage A Style Mandolin Brilliant Sound MustSee' Description Description Gibson "A" Model Mandolin Let me start off by saying this: I am not an expert Mandolin historian by any means. I will describe this Mandolin to the best of my abilities, and with any luck, the photos will do the talking for me. From the research I've conducted, This appears to be an early 1900's A Style Mandolin. From all descriptions, It appears to be an A-3, though that can be off. There are no serial numbers on the instrument, and the original label inside the Mandolin appears to have been torn. There are handwritten numbers, but I am unsure if they mean anything that would identify the instrument. The wood grain is very tight. The finish may or may not be original. There is a very dramatic amount of checking through the lacquer. It gives it a really nice character look. I believe the tuners are original, "The Gibson" inlay looks to be the original pearloid. All binding, and Nut should be original, as well as the pickguard. The metal string cover near the bridge might not be original, it appears to be hand etched in a style unfamiliar with gibson mandolins, but I am unsure again. The bridge too might also not be original, depending on what the true year of this is. I've read that gibson used one-peice wooden bridges up until 1922. With all of that being said. This truly is a wonderfully aged instrument. It is extremely loud, and has a great sound. This is just a super cool peice that anyone would be lucky to have. If you have any questions, Please ask away and I will answer or picture to the best of my abilities. Thank you very much for looking at our auction, Good Luck!   Payment: These are the only forms of payment accepted. -Paypal (Preferred) -Money Order -Certified Bank Check -Personal Check -All Major forms of Credit Cards (United States residents ONLY!) *Please note that Money orders, Bank checks, and Personal checks MUST clear before shipment* Payments Not Accepted: -W. U. Money Transfers, Or any payment that has to be picked up. (The customer is responsible for making sure the payment gets to its final destination) -Cash All mailed payments must be written out to: AAA Swing City Music 1312 Vandalia Collinsville, IL. 62234   Shipping: Shipments are made through UPS, Unless otherwise specified All packages are automatically insured up to $100.00 Additional insurance can be purchased, and is highly recommended. Item will be shipped after payment is verified (This process can take anywhere from 1-5 working days) Tracking number will be given upon request, through E-Mail. International Shipments: Please understand that international shipments take a period of time for the customer to receive. ALL of our international shipments are shipped through USPS. North American residences can expect their item to be received in 5-14 days. South American can expect 1-3 weeks. European Countries I have seen upwards of 3-6 weeks to receive their package. These items DO NOT come with a tracking number. AAA Swing City Music claims no responsibility for products that are damaged during the shipping process. The purchaser has the option to purchase insurance at any given time, If insurance is not purchased it's your sole responsibility. If Insurance is purchased, and the product is damaged during the shipping process, It's the customers responsibility to take up the claim with the appropriate branch the Product was shipped through. Returns and Refunds: -Returns absolutely must be sent back as they are sent to you. If the item is damaged in any way the package is refused. -Printed material, Software, and any other printable/recordable media may NOT be returned. -Customer agrees to pay shipping on returned product, with a 15% Re-Stocking fee + Any additional shipping charges that may incur during the process. -Used items are Sold "As-Is" with No refund. -New items are shipped with warranty as implied through the manufacturer As stated in Shipping details, Refunds will not be issued through AAA Swing City Music for products damaged in the shipping process, It is the customers responsibility to purchase insurance. (It's usually in your best interest to do so) Feedback Leave feedback for the Store, and the Store leaves feedback for you! Usually occurs within 1-2 working days of your feedback.   I check the stores email probably every Hour, to half hour so I'm probably the most responsive user on eBay (Within Store hours)! If you ever feel the need to see more pictures of the listed item, or have any other general questions don't feel afraid to ask, Prompt response is definite.   Illinois Residences pay 7.85% Sales Tax. Thank you for shopping at Swing City Music! We appreciate the business!  On Oct-04-08 at 13:46:12 PDT, seller added the following information: ------------UPDATE----------- I have received some information from Ebay's knowledgeable patrons about this fine Mandolin! The tailpeice cover is not original, It is from a 40's or 50's Gibson Mandolin, The original tailpiece would have said "The Gibson" as opposed to what it does. The bridge is NOT original, I didn't think it was but it has been confirmed. Gibson did not start putting truss rods into their mandolins until 1922. Due to the rings around the soundhole it has been detirmined that it IS a 1922 Model. Thank you for your information! Place a Bid!