Description
Here we present a lovely Gibson A1 A-Style Mandolin Natural, oval sound hole mandolin built during 1914 at Kalamazoo, Michigan, featuring a natural finish, somewhat orange top.
Orville Gibson’s A-style and F-style mandolins, and larger instruments, were ground-breaking. His vision and patents showed the way to combine violin and mandolin construction concepts. This revolutionized the mandolin and guitar world, dramatically improving tone, volume, and projection. All of the arch-top guitars we have seen, from the big band era to the ES thinlines, began with these instruments.
Using well established violin techniques had other benefits, too. First, the European bowl back design is complex to build compared to the violin, which has many fewer parts to fit together. As well, the carved top and back plates develop and maintain tone for much longer periods; this is seen in very old violins, and today’s pair of Gibson A style mandolins, each at least a century old.
This wonderful Gibson A1 mandolin appears to be in largely original condition, and includes the original celluloid faux-tortoise pickguard. The top is likely Adirondack Spruce, as this was the most common material until WW2 materiel demands led to over-harvesting and the adoption of Sitka. It has bound, oval sound hole. The back and sides are Maple, with Mahogany for the neck. The fingerboard and bridge are Ebony while the adjustable bridge is Brazilian Rosewood. The tuners and tailpiece are original. The top, fingerboard, and sound hole have a single layer of binding.
This mandolin plays well with only light wear to the frets, which look like modern replacements - slightly wider and higher than the originals. It's ready to play!
Overall, this mandolin is in nice shape and has the brilliant warmth and projection that’s typical of these historic instruments. Though it is currently 110 years old, it is by no means ready for retirement!
A non-original hard shell case is included.
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |
DETAILS:
- Instrument Model: A1 Mandolin
- Instrument Manufacturer: Gibson
- Instrument year: 1914
- Instrument Finish: Natural
- Instrument Class: Vintage
- Instrument serial number: 18712, built during 1914 at Kalamazoo Michigan
- Country of Origin: USA
- Instrument Condition: Good
- Right-handed
- CITIES Documentation Required: Yes
- Case included: Yes
- Case original: No
- Case Type: Hard
- Instrument Weight Imperial: 2 lbs
- Instrument Weight Metric: .95kgs
- Scale Length Imperial: 14in
- Scale Length Metric: 355.6mm
- Nut Width Imperial: 1.241in
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Nut Width Metric: 31.52mm
- Items in Case: Case Key
- Consignment: Yes
- Product ID: 189961
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |