Gibson K-4 Carved Top Mandocello (1916)
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Item # 11413
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Gibson K-4 Model Carved Top Mandocello (1916), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst varnish finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
We feel the Gibson Mandocello is one of the great under-appreciated instruments of the early 20th century. Originally designed for use in 1910s mandolin orchestras, these imposing beasts never found another home in other styles of music despite being wonderful and unique-sounding instruments to play.
Double-strung and tuned in fifths starting with a C below the low E on the guitar, the mandocello has an imposing tone and deep resonance unlike any other fretted instrument. OK, we're starting to sound like an old Gibson catalog here, but we really like these and are always happy to get one in stock!
This is an exceptional piece: a mid-1910s Style K-4, Gibson's then top-of-the-line mandocello. This was the 'cello version of the top-line F-4, the most expensive mandolin family piece Gibson offered. It features the unique scroll-top maple body with an oval sound hole in the carved spruce top, scaled up from the far more common F-style mandolins it was built to accompany. This K-4 features a beautiful deep red-to-amber sunburst finish overall, ivoroid binding on all edges and half-herringbone rings around an ivoroid center sound hole rosette.
The laminated mahogany neck has a fairly deep "V" profile, topped with a bound dot-inlaid ebony fingerboard. The unique scrolled headstock is bound and ornamented with the original slanted "The Gibson" pearl logo above the elaborate double flowerpot inlay. The tailpiece is the standard mandolin fitting, the bridge is a solid carved single piece of ebony with a compensating ridge on top and the elevated tortoise celluloid pickguard is secured by the standard Gibson clamp.
The tone of this K-4 is deep but well defined, not the loudest we have heard but with a very even, singing quality. This would make an exceptional recording instrument in any context. We think the noble mandocello is due for a re-appraisal in the 21st century and apparently some folks agree, as vintage mando-cellos appear to be becoming ever scarcer!
The K-4 was a very expensive instrument, listing for $125 (plus case) in 1917. Only the Style U harp guitar was cataloged at a higher price. These were made only in small numbers even during the mandolin orchestra's heyday and are quite rare today. This one has a factory order number putting its construction in mid/late 1915, and the serial number indicates it was shipped out sometime in 1916. It shows some wear but remains in fine original condition; a fabulous-looking, excellent-playing mandocello and an exceptional find in an 8-string Art Nouveau showpiece.
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 14 3/16 in. (36 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This instrument has survived over 100 years in good playing condition, showing some wear and minor repair but no notable alterations. The original varnish finish shows typical micro-checking with numerous dings, scrapes and dents overall but no large worn away areas. There is some light touchup to spots of pickwear above and below the fingerboard extension, other than that the finish is original. There are areas of finish worn away along the back of the neck down to the heel area.
There is a repaired spruce grain split in the area of the top behind the scroll, solidly sealed but visible. This is the only notable structural repair. All hardware remains original and in excellent condition. The original very small frets are fairly low but still fully playable. Well over a century on this is a fine playing mandocello and of course visually a real showpiece. It puts forth a deep and resonant sound, and still resides in its generally well-preserved original hard case. Overall Excellent - Condition.
We feel the Gibson Mandocello is one of the great under-appreciated instruments of the early 20th century. Originally designed for use in 1910s mandolin orchestras, these imposing beasts never found another home in other styles of music despite being wonderful and unique-sounding instruments to play.
Double-strung and tuned in fifths starting with a C below the low E on the guitar, the mandocello has an imposing tone and deep resonance unlike any other fretted instrument. OK, we're starting to sound like an old Gibson catalog here, but we really like these and are always happy to get one in stock!
This is an exceptional piece: a mid-1910s Style K-4, Gibson's then top-of-the-line mandocello. This was the 'cello version of the top-line F-4, the most expensive mandolin family piece Gibson offered. It features the unique scroll-top maple body with an oval sound hole in the carved spruce top, scaled up from the far more common F-style mandolins it was built to accompany. This K-4 features a beautiful deep red-to-amber sunburst finish overall, ivoroid binding on all edges and half-herringbone rings around an ivoroid center sound hole rosette.
The laminated mahogany neck has a fairly deep "V" profile, topped with a bound dot-inlaid ebony fingerboard. The unique scrolled headstock is bound and ornamented with the original slanted "The Gibson" pearl logo above the elaborate double flowerpot inlay. The tailpiece is the standard mandolin fitting, the bridge is a solid carved single piece of ebony with a compensating ridge on top and the elevated tortoise celluloid pickguard is secured by the standard Gibson clamp.
The tone of this K-4 is deep but well defined, not the loudest we have heard but with a very even, singing quality. This would make an exceptional recording instrument in any context. We think the noble mandocello is due for a re-appraisal in the 21st century and apparently some folks agree, as vintage mando-cellos appear to be becoming ever scarcer!
The K-4 was a very expensive instrument, listing for $125 (plus case) in 1917. Only the Style U harp guitar was cataloged at a higher price. These were made only in small numbers even during the mandolin orchestra's heyday and are quite rare today. This one has a factory order number putting its construction in mid/late 1915, and the serial number indicates it was shipped out sometime in 1916. It shows some wear but remains in fine original condition; a fabulous-looking, excellent-playing mandocello and an exceptional find in an 8-string Art Nouveau showpiece.
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 14 3/16 in. (36 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This instrument has survived over 100 years in good playing condition, showing some wear and minor repair but no notable alterations. The original varnish finish shows typical micro-checking with numerous dings, scrapes and dents overall but no large worn away areas. There is some light touchup to spots of pickwear above and below the fingerboard extension, other than that the finish is original. There are areas of finish worn away along the back of the neck down to the heel area.
There is a repaired spruce grain split in the area of the top behind the scroll, solidly sealed but visible. This is the only notable structural repair. All hardware remains original and in excellent condition. The original very small frets are fairly low but still fully playable. Well over a century on this is a fine playing mandocello and of course visually a real showpiece. It puts forth a deep and resonant sound, and still resides in its generally well-preserved original hard case. Overall Excellent - Condition.