Gibson Style H-1 Carved Top Mandola (1915)
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Gibson Style H-1 Model Carved Top Mandola (1915), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 30622, natural varnish finish, birch back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This is a well-used just-about 110 year old example of an early Gibson Style H-1 Mandola, showing noticeable repair and finish work but still with a lot of life left in it. The H-1 was the "basic" mandola, the middle-pitched instrument of the mandolin-mandola-mandocello trio. Compared to mandolins, mandolas from any era are fairly rare, although more were made in the 1910's than later periods this is still a fairly scarce item well over a century on. The H-1 lacks the decorative elements of the higher priced H-2 but is structurally the same. The headstock face has no ornament except the "The Gibson" inlaid in pearl, and the top has two half-herringbone soundhole rings.
This H-1 was made in 1915, by which point Gibson's carved-top mandolin family instruments were indisputably the most influential in the world. Typical period features include a natural "pumpkin top" varnish finish top over lightly cherry stained back and sides, a tailpiece with Gibson-engraved cover and the Handel-made strip tuners used on all Gibsons of the period. The top is carved from spruce, over birch back and sides. The neck is Honduras mahogany fitted with a heavy bound ebony fingerboard. While not the prettiest or most original of these this is a lovely sounding and fine playing example ready for another century at least.
Overall length is 28 1/4 in. (71.8 cm.), 11 1/16 in. (28.1 cm.) width, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 15 3/4 in. (400 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/16 in. (33 mm.).
This Mandola has seen some life along the way, and shows the scars of almost 99 years here and there. The original thin varnish finish is intact on the back and headstock, lightly overfinished and/or polished out on the top and neck and entirely replaced on the sides. There is some typical fine checking to the original areas and general wear with chips, dings and scrapes. The top finish retains a nice amber patina with some staining (likely from a disintegrating celluloid pickguard) dings and scrapes but less pick wear than many.
There are no visible crack repairs. The back was removed at some point and two extra braces added in a "V" pattern under the bridge, along with a thin spruce patch. This means the back/side seams have been resealed but it is a neat job there are no really noticeable scars from the process. The work to the top was no doubt done to remedy sagging in the center, which it has mostly done although there are still a minor depression under the treble side bridge foot.
The hardware remains original with the exception of the pickguard, which is long gone. The tuners, tailpiece and bridge all remain in solid and relatively clean condition. The instrument retains the original thin 1915 frets with no really notable wear. Considering the work done this is still an attractive instrument and a very good player, with a warm and lovely sound. It is housed in a later hardshell case. Overall Very Good + Condition.
This is a well-used just-about 110 year old example of an early Gibson Style H-1 Mandola, showing noticeable repair and finish work but still with a lot of life left in it. The H-1 was the "basic" mandola, the middle-pitched instrument of the mandolin-mandola-mandocello trio. Compared to mandolins, mandolas from any era are fairly rare, although more were made in the 1910's than later periods this is still a fairly scarce item well over a century on. The H-1 lacks the decorative elements of the higher priced H-2 but is structurally the same. The headstock face has no ornament except the "The Gibson" inlaid in pearl, and the top has two half-herringbone soundhole rings.
This H-1 was made in 1915, by which point Gibson's carved-top mandolin family instruments were indisputably the most influential in the world. Typical period features include a natural "pumpkin top" varnish finish top over lightly cherry stained back and sides, a tailpiece with Gibson-engraved cover and the Handel-made strip tuners used on all Gibsons of the period. The top is carved from spruce, over birch back and sides. The neck is Honduras mahogany fitted with a heavy bound ebony fingerboard. While not the prettiest or most original of these this is a lovely sounding and fine playing example ready for another century at least.
Overall length is 28 1/4 in. (71.8 cm.), 11 1/16 in. (28.1 cm.) width, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 15 3/4 in. (400 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/16 in. (33 mm.).
This Mandola has seen some life along the way, and shows the scars of almost 99 years here and there. The original thin varnish finish is intact on the back and headstock, lightly overfinished and/or polished out on the top and neck and entirely replaced on the sides. There is some typical fine checking to the original areas and general wear with chips, dings and scrapes. The top finish retains a nice amber patina with some staining (likely from a disintegrating celluloid pickguard) dings and scrapes but less pick wear than many.
There are no visible crack repairs. The back was removed at some point and two extra braces added in a "V" pattern under the bridge, along with a thin spruce patch. This means the back/side seams have been resealed but it is a neat job there are no really noticeable scars from the process. The work to the top was no doubt done to remedy sagging in the center, which it has mostly done although there are still a minor depression under the treble side bridge foot.
The hardware remains original with the exception of the pickguard, which is long gone. The tuners, tailpiece and bridge all remain in solid and relatively clean condition. The instrument retains the original thin 1915 frets with no really notable wear. Considering the work done this is still an attractive instrument and a very good player, with a warm and lovely sound. It is housed in a later hardshell case. Overall Very Good + Condition.