Spann's Guide to Gibson 1902-1941

This book is full of Gibson records and facts about production. It is not a picture book.

Finally , Florida historian Joe Spann sheds some additional light on the missing Gibson records !! We all love those old Gibson acoustics but unfortunately , Gibson's record keeping is both vague and sometimes missing altogether. Contacting the manufacturer for help dating an instrument , is like trying to get a call through to the Pentagon....good luck with that and good luck with them having any accurate info.Joe Spann has done a better job than Gibson at collecting and organizing their records."Spann's Guide To Gibson" has been the most helpful reference book yet for me to use in my workplace where I am constantly asked to date , appraise and repair those wonderful , old Gibson guitars !! J.Larry Keith/Hendersonville,NC

This is considered the best source for dating Gibson instruments of the period stated in the title. I was hoping for a little more info about the instruments and the builders, who are listed by employment date and job where known, but perhaps that kind of information is covered in one of the other books about Gibson that he mentions. An interesting and informative read regardless, and worth owning.

More information in this book than the mind can process! I bought two books because I will wear out the first one using it so much! This information packed chronicle covers how Gibson assigned number to instruments that mystified many "experts"! Mr. Spann had gone to great detail explaining how Gibson arrived at their system and how to track when an instrument was fabricated and when an instrument was shipped to a dealer or customer and if it was ever returned for repair! Lots of ephemera info and photos to keep you happy!

Great resource for Gibson fans and collectors the research into serial numbers and factory details is very helpful. Mr. Spann indentifies a large array of suppliers and subcontractors to the Gibson company and provides insight intot he decisions made by the company for instrument production. The book is geared towards banjos ( which is just what I wanted) ,but guitar fans be advised.

I loved this book because I love Gibson banjos and the history of the Gibson factory. I highly recommend this book for those who love Gibson instruments and would like to know the history of the factory and as well as information on many of their instruments especially banjos. This book give a lot of information on factory order numbers which is fantastic for those who collect and buy Gibson instruments. Great read!!Dr. Roy L. Carter

Excellent book on early Gibson history and banjos in particular. Joe's attention to detail is great, and if he doesn't know exactly what the facts are, he says so. Good job! Great book.

Most comprehensive review and data on the early Gibson Banjos. I was able to identify and date all of my banjos.

Buch enthält viele Listen der Prouktionsnummern alter Instrumente und ,nach der Lagerung , das Auslieferungsjahr. Selbst MItarbeiter aus alten Zeiten werden namentlich aufgeführt. Gelegentliches Nachschlagwerk für alte Schätzchen und kurzem Geschichtsabriß der Firma.

この本は、いままでの戦前Gibson史の“通説”を打ち破る内容です。この本の最大の功績はSerial NumberとFON（Factory Order Number）の違いと正しいFONの明記でしょう。また、当時の製造技術や外注先情報、バンジョーの特徴といった製造に関する情報や、楽器職人や職員、楽器講師、エンドーズアーティストといった人に関する情報などかなりマニアックな内容です。Gibsonのアコースティック楽器が好きな方であれば大満足な内容だと思います。Gibsonのエレキ楽器だけが好きな方にはおススメしません。おそらくこの書の内容はチンプンカンプンだと思います。

英語ができる人には面白いかも？？？職人さんの名や何か表みたいのが多く、私には失敗の本でした。チラ見で検討した方がよいですよ。