Gibson A2 Mandolin 1918 | HOLD | (v2205) The dawn of the twentieth century witnessed the cresting of the mandolin craze in the US. The Gibson company began production of a variety of mandolins styles at varying levels of ornamentation. The 'A'-type mandolins feature a teardrop-shaped body developed by Orville Gibson by 1902 and went into full production when he sold the company shortly thereafter. The 'A' model was known for its quality materials, sound and affordability and became a large volume seller for Gibson.
This mandolin features all the indicators of an A2. The carved spruce top is shaded a dark brown with two inlaid prufling rings. The back and sides are maple also featuring a dark stain. Both top and back are bound in white celluloid. The neck is mahogany, carved in a 'V' shape and bound in white celluloid. The fingerboard is ebony with pearl dot position markers. The 'paddle' headstock is capped with ebony and inlaid with 'The Gibson' in pearl. The label pasted inside the sound hole shows the serial number 50243, which dates it to the 1918-19 period of production.
The body measures ~ 10" across. Scale length is 14". The neck measures 1 1/2" across at the nut, and string spacing is 1 9/16" across at the saddle.
The mandolin remains in excellent, original condition. The neck is straight and offers low action. There are no cracks, and minimal dings and scratches. The pickguard has 'gassed out' but remains with the instrument along with a section of its original mounting hardware. The bridge is original and had been glued to the top in the past. The original case remains with the instrument in very good/excellent with only a bit of fading to the liner in the lid.
Overall, a nice, clean one owner mandolin from the 'golden age' of American instruments. Action set at about 4/64" .. great tone, easy to play.
Comes with its original hard case.
Check out the sound clip!
This mandolin features all the indicators of an A2. The carved spruce top is shaded a dark brown with two inlaid prufling rings. The back and sides are maple also featuring a dark stain. Both top and back are bound in white celluloid. The neck is mahogany, carved in a 'V' shape and bound in white celluloid. The fingerboard is ebony with pearl dot position markers. The 'paddle' headstock is capped with ebony and inlaid with 'The Gibson' in pearl. The label pasted inside the sound hole shows the serial number 50243, which dates it to the 1918-19 period of production.
The body measures ~ 10" across. Scale length is 14". The neck measures 1 1/2" across at the nut, and string spacing is 1 9/16" across at the saddle.
The mandolin remains in excellent, original condition. The neck is straight and offers low action. There are no cracks, and minimal dings and scratches. The pickguard has 'gassed out' but remains with the instrument along with a section of its original mounting hardware. The bridge is original and had been glued to the top in the past. The original case remains with the instrument in very good/excellent with only a bit of fading to the liner in the lid.
Overall, a nice, clean one owner mandolin from the 'golden age' of American instruments. Action set at about 4/64" .. great tone, easy to play.
Comes with its original hard case.
Check out the sound clip!