I've used this trick a number of times to reveal the faded serial number on Gibson mandolins and guitars made before 1923. These are the ones with the so-called 'GUARANTEED' label. I don't know if the 'Master Model' label has a number underneath, or if this feature is found on instruments by many other makers. Gibson (used, 1977) F-5 Master Model Mandolin. Tag No 32-3581 Used. This was made in the period when the F-5 had fancy colorful mother of pearl floral fingerboard inlays, starting on the first fret. It has a 'The Gibson' angled inlaid fancy pearl headstock logo and thereunder a short flowerpot with flowers. Does anyone know an internet or source for serial numbers/year made for early Gibson Mandolins? I would like some source to authenticate.

Vintage Guitars Info's
Gibson Mandolin, Mandola, Mandocello Model Descriptions.History, collecting Gibson mandolin, mandola, mandocello and vintage guitars.Private vintage guitar collector. Pictures, history for Gibson mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos and vintage guitars.I don't really collect mandolins, but this information is provided becauseI get so many questions regarding them. The only models I'm interested in are the EM-150 and EM-200 electric mandolins, and the F-2, F-4 and F-5 mandolins.
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Gibson General Info.

Gibson Mandolin Model Info

Gibson Mandola Model Info

Gibson Mandocello Model Info

Model: A Mandolin
Available: 1902 to 1933

1902 A model specs:

Symmetrical body, oval sound hole, coloredwood soundhole ring, ebony fingerboard, dot inlays, large rounded paddleshaped peghead, golden orange top finish, reddish back and sides.

1905 A model specs:

Smaller non-paddle peghead.

1906 A model specs:

Single bound top.

1908 A model specs:

Elevated pickguard, no peghead logo.

1918 A model specs:

Brown finish.

1923 A model specs:

Snakehead peghead.

1928 A model specs:

Standard peghead.

A model discontinued 1933.

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Model: A Jr. Mandolin
Available: 1919 to 1927

1919 A Jr model specs:

Symmetrial body, oval soundhole with black binding around it,elevated pickguard, no body binding, ebony fingerboard, special round 'Junior'label, dark brown stained finish.

1923 A Jr model specs:

snakehead peghead style

A Jr model replaced by the A-0 model in 1927.

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Model: A-0 Mandolin
Available: 1927 to 1934

1927 A-0 specs:

Replaced the A-Jr model, symmetrical body, oval sound hole, no binding or soundhole ornamentation, clamshell tailpiece cover,dot inlays, brown finish.

A-0 discontinued 1934.

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Model: A-00 Mandolin
Available: 1933 to 1943

1933 A-00 specs:

Symmetrical body, oval sound hole, carved top, flat black, non-adjustable ebony bridge, pickguard gluedto top, bound top, ebony fingerboard, dot inlays, 'The Gibson' peghead logo,brown sunburst finish.

1934 A-00 specs:

'F' holes, elevated pickguard, clamshell tailpiece,'Gibson' peghead logo.

1936 A-00 specs:

Carved back.

1939 A-00 specs:

Adjustable bridge, single bound top and back,sunburst finish.

A-00 discontinued 1943.

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Model: A-1 Mandolin
Available: 1902 to 1943

1902 A-1 specs:

Symmetrical body, bound oval soundhole with 2wood inlaid rings, pickguard inlaid into top, single bound top, boundebony fingerboard, dot inlays, large rounded paddle shape peghead,golden orange top finish, reddish back and sides.

1905 A-1 specs:

Smaller non-paddle peghead, 'The Gibson' pegheadlogo.

1908 A-1 specs:

Elevated pickguard.

A-1 discontinued 1918.

1922 A-1 Re-introduction specs:

1 ring around soundhole, singlebound top and back, no peghead logo, black top finish, brown back andsides.

1923 A-1 specs:

Snakehead peghead.

A-1 discontinued 1927.

1933 A-1 Re-introduction specs:

Bound top, straight peghead logo,stanard peghead shape, sunburst finish.

1934 A-1 specs:

Bound top and back, 'F' holes, white painted peghead logo.

A-1 discontinued 1943.

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Model: A-2, A2-Z Mandolin
Available: 1902 to 1928

1902 A-2 specs:

Symmetrical body, bound oval soundhole with 2 wood inlaid rings,pickguard inlaid into top, single bound top and back, unbound ebonyfingerboard, dot inlays, large rounded paddle peghead, asterisk pegheadinlay, golden orange top finish, reddish back and sides.

A-2 discontinued 1908.

1918 A-2 Re-introduction specs:

Bound oval soundhole with 2 narrowwood inlaid rings, elevated pickguard, bound top and back, bound ebonyfingerboard, dot inlays, pearl 'The Gibson' peghead logo, brown finish.

1922 A2-Z specs:

Renamed, double bound top, single bound back,double bound soundhole, black-white-black soundhole rings, bound fingerboard,amber top finish, brown back and sides.

1923 A2-Z specs:

Snakehead peghead.

1927 A-2 specs:

Renamed back to A-2.

A-2 discontinued 1928.

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Model: A-3 Mandolin
Available: 1902 to 1922

1902 A-3 specs:

Symmetrical body, bound oval soundhole with 2 wood inlaid rings,pickguard inlaid into top, single bound top and back, bound ebony fingerboard,dot inlays, large rounded paddle peghead, asterisk peghead inlay, goldentop finish, reddish back and sides.

1908 A-3 specs:

Elevated pickguard, smaller non-paddle peghead,ornamental curlicue peghead inlay.

1918 A-3 specs:

Wide white soundhole ring between 2 black-white-blackrings, ivoroid pickguard, ivory top finish.

A-3 discontinued 1922.

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Model: A-4 Mandolin
Available: 1902 to 1935

1902 A-4 specs:

Symmetrical body, bound oval soundhole, solid white soundhole ringbetween 2 ivoroid and wood rope pattern rings, single bound top and back,bound ebony fingerboard, dot inlays, asterisk peghead inlay, black topfinish, reddish back and sides.

1907 A-4 specs:

Ornamental inlay on pickguard.

1908 A-4 specs:

Elevated pickguard with point at bridge cutout,smaller peghead, fleur-de-lis peghead inlay, 'The Gibson' peghead logo,inlaid tuner buttons.

1912 A-4 specs:

Treble side fingerboard extension.

1914 A-4 specs:

Uniform red mahogany finish with slight shading,black or orange top finish optional.

1918 A-4 specs:

No tuner button inlay, dark mahogany sunbursttop finish.

1923 A-4 specs:

Snakehead peghead.

1928 A-4 specs:

Straight 'The Gibson' peghead logo.

1934 A-4 specs:

'Gibson' peghead logo, amber red mahogany sunbursttop finish.

A-4 discontinued 1935.

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Model: A-5 Mandolin
Available: 1957 to 1979

1957 A-5 specs:

Florentine symmetrical 2-point body, oval soundhole,maple back and sides, laminated beveled-edge pickguard, clamshell tailpiece,bound rosewood fingerboard with treble-side extension, dot inlays, scrollpeghead shape, crown peghead inlay, pearl logo, golden sunburst.

1961 A-5 specs:

Cherry sunburst finish.

1971 A-5 specs:

F-style 2-point body shape with lump scroll(no scroll cutout), longneck, fleur-de-lis peghead inlay, script 'Gibson'logo.

A-5 discontinued 1979.

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Model: A-40 Mandolin
Available: 1948 to 1971

1948 A-40 specs:

Symmetrical body, 'F' holes, archedtop and back, laminated mahogany body with cross brace, clamshell tailpiece,single bound top, rosewood fingerboard, dot inlays, natural or sunburst.

A-40 discontinued 1971.

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Model: A-50 Mandolin
Available: 1933 to 1971

1933 A-50 specs:

Symmetrical body, oval sound hole,bound top, back, fingerboard, fingerboard raised off of top, dot inlays,'Gibson' logo, dark red mahogany sunburst finish.

1934 A-50 specs:

'F' holes.

1937 A-50 specs:

Bound pickguard, fingerboard flush with top, variedpattern inlays, fleur-de-lis peghead inlay, pearl logo, brown sunburst.

1942 A-50 specs:

Clamshell tailpiece, small diamond peghead inlay.

1946 A-50 specs:

Yellow silkscreen peghead logo, no peghead inlay,laminated beveled-edge pickguard.

A-50 discontinued 1971.

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Model: EM-100, EM-125 Electric Mandolin
Available: 1940 to 1943

1940 EM-100 specs:

Symmetrical A-00 body, carved top and back, blade pickup with oblong housing (3 screws in top), clamshelltailpiece.

1941 EM-125 specs:

Renamed to EM-125.

EM-125 discontinued 1943.

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Model: EM-150 Electric Mandolin
Available: 1936 to 1971

1936 EM-150 specs:

Symmetrical A-00 body, carved top and back, CharlieChristian pickup with no binding, single bound pickguard, pickguardcutout for pickup, bound top and back, knobs on opposite sides of body,dot inlays, brown sunburst top.

1941 EM-150 specs:

Rectangular screw-pole pickup, knobs on sameside.

1949 EM-150 specs:

Same specs as A-50 but with P-90 pickup, laminated beveled-edge pickguard,clamshell tailpiece, bound fingerboard.

1956 EM-150 specs:

Golden sunburst finish.

EM-150 discontinued 1971.

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Model: EM-200 Florentine Electric Mandolin
Available: 1954 to 1971

1954 EM-200 specs:

Solid mahogany symmetrical body with 2-pointshape, carved top (like a Les Paul guitar), P-90 pickup, metal bridgesaddle, laminated beveled-edge pickguard follows body point, single boundtop and fingerboard, dot inlays, scroll peghead, crown peghead inlay,gold plated parts, sunburst top finish.

1966 EM-200 specs:

Pickguard surround pickup.

EM-200 Florentine discontinued 1971.

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Model: F-2 Mandolin
Available: 1902 to 1934

1902 F-2 specs:

3 point asymmetrical body, oval soundhole, pearl dotin scroll, pickguard inlaid into top, ornate pearl inlay in pickguard,bound soundhole with 2 wood inlaid rings, pearl and ebony rope patterntop binding, ebony fingerboard with treble-side extension, dot inlays, scroll peghead, star and cresent peghead inlay, friction pegs, inlaid tuner buttons, black top finish, reddish back and sides.

1904 F-2 specs:

Single bound top and fingerboard, 'The Gibson'peghead logo, right angle tuners.

1908 F-2 specs:

Ivoroid and wood soundhole rings, elavated pickguardwith point and 2 clamps, black top finish or golden orange top finish optional.

1910 F-2 specs:

2 point body shape.

1914 F-2 specs:

Uniform red mahogany finish slightly shaded, blackor orange top finish optional.

1918 F-2 specs:

No inlay on tuner buttons, dark mahogany sunburst.

1922 F-2 specs:

Truss rod added.

1923 F-2 specs:

1 piece neck, rounded neck heel, arrow-end tunerplates.

1926 F-2 specs:

Round-end tuner plates.

1927 F-2 specs:

Maple back and sides.

F-2 discontinued 1934.

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Model: F-4 Mandolin
Available: 1902 to 1943

1902 F-4 specs:

3 point asymmetrical body, oval soundhole, pearl dotin scroll, pickguard inlaid into top, ornate pearl inlay in pickguard,bound soundhole with 2 rope pattern wood inlaid rings, white and greenrope pattern top border with pearl binding, bound ebony fingerboard with treble-side extension, dot inlays, scroll peghead, pearl peghead binding, friction pegs, inlaid tuner buttons, black top finish, reddish back and sides.

1908 F-4 specs:

Ivoroid and wood soundhole rings, elavated pickguardwith point and 2 clamps, single bound top and back, pearl nut, ivoroid boundpeghead, ornate long flowerpot peghead inlay of abalone and wire, no pegheadlogo, right angle tuners, notched-end tuner plates angle away from each other at top, black or golden orange top finish.

1910 F-4 specs:

2 point body shape.

1911 F-4 specs:

Double flowerpot peghead inlay, 'The Gibson' logo.

1914 F-4 specs:

Uniform red mahogany finish slightly shaded, blackor orange top finish optional.

1918 F-4 specs:

No inlay on tuner buttons, dark mahogany sunburst.

1922 F-4 specs:

Truss rod added, single flowerpot peghead inlay.

1923 F-4 specs:

1 piece neck, rounded neck heel, arrow-end tunerplates.

1926 F-4 specs:

Round-end tuner plates.

1935 F-4 specs:

Pointed-end fingerboard, unbound peghead, largediamond peghead inlay, yellow to brown sunburst top, brown back and sides.

1936 F-4 specs:

2 checkerboard (black and white) outer sound holerings with white middle ring.

F-4 discontinued 1943.

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Model: F-5 Mandolin
Available: 1922 to 1980

1922 F-5 specs:

2 point asymmetrical body, 'F' holes, triple boundtop, back, pickguard, pickguard follows body point, right angle pickguardsupport screwed to side of body, pickguard support of triple black/whitebinding material, hand engraved tailpiece cover, truss rod, longneck,2 piece maple neck with laminated stripe, bound ebony fingerboard withtreble side extension, black line on side of fingerboard binding, dot inlays,bound peghead, black line on side of peghead binding, flowerpot pegheadinlay, 'The Gibson' logo, notched-end tuner plates, pearl tuner buttons,silver plated metal parts, Cremona brown sunburst finish, 'MasterModel' andLloyd Loar signature labels.

1923 F-5 specs:

Narrower 1 piece maple neck, arrow-end tuner plates.

1924 F-5 specs:

Virzi Tone Producer, some with Fern peghead inlay,ivoroid body binding, ungrained fingerboard binding with black line on side,triple bound peghead.

1925 F-5 specs:

No Virzi Tone Producer, no Loar label, Fern pegheadinlay standard, sunburst finish lighter and more golden, gold plated parts.

1927 F-5 specs:

Metal pickguard bracket, Waverly tuners with rounded ends and shafts above gear wheels.

1928 F-5 specs:

No 'MasterModel' label, stamped 'The Gibson' on tailpiece cover, dot inlay from 3rd fret, darker finish.

1929 F-5 specs:

Block inlays from 3rd fret.

1932 F-5 specs:

'Gibson' peghead logo.

1939 F-5 specs:

Block inlays from 1st fret, flowerpot peghead inlay,a few with fleur-de-lis peghead inlay.

F-5 discontinued 1943.

1949 F-5 Re-introduction specs:

Laminated beveled-edge pickguard,clamshell tailpiece cover with 'Gibson', single bound top and back,triple bound fingerboard with black line on side, 1 piece mahagonyneck, block inlay from 1st fret, triple bound peghead, flowerpot pegheadinlay, plastic tuner buttons.

1951 F-5 specs:

Wriggle-edge tailpiece with 'Gibson' logo, triplebound top and back, 2 piece maple neck with ebony laminate stripe,larger peghead.

1961 F-5 specs:

3 piece maple neck with 2 dark laminate stripes.

1970 F-5 specs:

Re-designed with different internal carving patternand structural features, triple bound pickguard, 1 piece maple neck withintregral fingerboard extension support, ornate abalone fingerboard inlays,flowerpot peghead inlay, script 'The Gibson' logo, small peghead, specialF-5 label.

F-5 discontinued 1980.

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Model: F-7 Mandolin
Available: 1934 to 1940

1934 F-7 specs:

2 point Asymmetrical body, 'F' holes, single boundtop, back, pickguard, no point on pickguard at body point, single boundsquare-end fingerboard, fingerboard raised off of top, varied patternfingerboard inlays, single bound peghead, fleur-de-lis or2 handled vase and curlicues peghead inlay, sunburst finish.

F-7 discontinued 1940.

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Model: F-10 Mandolin
Available: 1934 to 1937

1934 F-10 specs:

2 point Asymmetrical body, 'F' holes, single boundtop, back, pickguard, no point on pickguard at body point, single boundfingerboard with treble side extension, fingerboard raised off of top, scroll pattern inlays, single bound peghead, ivoroid tuner buttons,2 handled vase and curlicues peghead inlay, nickel plated parts, all blackfinish.

F-10 discontinued 1940.

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Model: F-12 Mandolin
Available: 1934 to 1980

1934 F-12 specs:

2 point Asymmetrical body, 'F' holes, single boundtop, back, pickguard, no point on pickguard at body point, single boundfingerboard with treble side extension, fingerboard raised off of top, scroll type inlays, single bound peghead, 2 handled vase and curlicues peghead inlay, pearl tuner buttons, gold plated parts, red mahoganysunburst top finish, deep red back and sides.

F-12 discontinued 1937.

1948 F-12 Re-introduction specs:

Point on pickguard, clamshelltailpiece, mahogany neck, longneck, bound rosewood fingerboard with squareend, fingerboard flush with top, dot inlays, unbound peghead, crown pegheadinlay, small peghead, Cremona brown sunburst top finish, uniform brownback and sides.

1959 F-12 specs:

Wriggle-edge tailpiece, fingerboard raised off top,larger peghead.

1970 F-12 specs:

Treble side fingerboard extension, smaller peghead,single bound peghead, fleur-de-lis peghead inlay, 'The Gibson' script logo.

F-12 discontinued 1980.

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Model: H-0 Mandola
Available: 1936 to 1943

1936 H-0 specs:

A-style body, 'F' holes, flat back, square endfingerboard, dot inlays, sunburst finish.

H-0 discontinued 1943.

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Model: H-1 Mandola and K-1 Mandocello
H-1 Available: 1902 to 1936. K-1 Available: 1902 to 1943.

1902 H-1, K-1 specs:

Same features and changes as A-2 mandolin.

1908 H-1, K-1 specs:

Same features as A-1 mandolin but with treble sidefingerboard extension, bound fingerboard.

1922 H-1, K-1 specs:

2 wood inlaid soundhole rings.

1923-1927 H-1, K-1 specs:

No peghead change (no Snakehead shape).

1925 H-1, K-1 specs:

Black top finish.

1927 H-1, K-1 specs:

Same specs as Style A mandolin.

H-1 discontinued 1936. K-1 discontinued 1943

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Model: H-2 Mandola and K-2 Mandocello
H-2, K-2 Available: 1902 to 1922.

1902 H-2, K-2 specs:

Same features and changes as A-4 mandolin.

1918 H-2, K-2 specs:

Ivory finish available.

H-2, K-2 discontinued 1922.

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Model: H-4 Mandola and K-4 Mandocello
H-4, K-4 Available: 1912 to 1940

1912 H-4, K-4 specs:

Same features and changes as F-4 mandolin.

H-4, K-4 discontinued 1940.

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Model: H-5 Mandola
H-5 Available: 1923 to 1936

1923 H-5 specs:

Same features and changes as F-5 mandolin.

H-5 discontinued 1936.

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Model: K-5 Mandocello
K-5 Available: 1924 to 1936

1924 K-5 specs:

L-5 guitar body, 16' wide, birch back and sides,asymmetrical fingerboard with treble side extension, F-5 type tailpiecemounted on trapeze tailpiece, L-5 type peghead, flowerpot peghead inlay,same ornamentation and changes as L-5 guitar.

1925 K-5 specs:

Maple back and sides, peghead inlay remainsflowerpot pattern (where F-5 and K-5 go to Fern).

K-5 discontinued 1936.

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