Brand: Gibson
Instrument Categories: Mandolins, SOLD
Orville Gibson’s Style A mandolin, often referred to as ‘A Style’, was part of a breakthrough in instrument design, merging violin and mandolin construction methods. Until Gibson’s introduction of the A and F styles around 1900, most mandolins were built using an Italian style with a lute-style bowl back and a and a flat top with a bend behind the bridge.
The new Gibson violin-influenced models were dramatically better, producing superior volume and tone. They were also easier to build and maintain, and many have withstood the passage of decades or a full century.
Here we’re looking at a Gibson Style A mandolin in overall good and largely original condition. The A-Style or ‘Teardrop’ body is built with a hand-carved, arched Spruce top paired with a carved, arched Mahogany back. The sides and neck are also Mahogany, with Ebony for the fingerboard and bridge. Here, the orginal bridge has been replaced with a modern Breke bridge. The pickguard is celluloid, and the tailpiece, its cover, and the tuners are nickel plated. The tuners have original aged white plastic buttons. The oval soundhole has white celluloid for the binding and rosette. The headstock logo is a white script ‘The Gibson’.
Over time, the center seam of the back has developed a crack, however this has been stable for many years. The lacquer finish shows considerable checking, entirely natural for an instrument of this age. It plays well, and has the full, rich and warm yet brilliant tone these wonderful instruments are known to produce.
The original Gibson hard shell case is included.
- Model: Style A
- Year: 1928
- Finish Black
- Class: Vintage
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 29/01/2019
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 2.1lbs .94kg
- Scale Length: 13.875in 352.4mm
- Nut Width: 1.18in 30mm
