Gibson EM-150 Custom 4-String Hollow Body Electric Mandolin (1956)
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Item # 12263
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Gibson EM-150 Custom 4-String Model Hollow Body Electric Mandolin (1956), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # V8959-34 (FON), sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This is, as far as we know a unique custom Gibson mandolin, the only one we are aware of in existence. The EM-150 is not by itself an unusual instrument-the model was the company's longest-serving electric Mandolin, in production from 1936 through 1971. This particular instrument, however, is an extremely rare variation that may well be one-of-a-kind custom ordered with only 4 strings instead of the usual 8. Basically this is a standard EM-150 hollow body electric mandolin mounting a 4-pole P-90 pickup (sometimes waggishly referred to as the "P-45" although that's not official Gibson designation!). The headstock is the same size as the standard 8-string version but carries four individual Kluson Deluxe tuners instead of the standard 4-to-a-side strip.
In the 1950s some western swing players, notably Tiny Moore, preferred to use only single strings on electrified mandolins. Paul Bigsby made several of these, and Leo Fender's Electric Mandolin was only built that way. This Gibson has a sound that is rounder and a bit mellower than such solid body mandolins, with the clean defined "pop" common to the 4-string mando but with some acoustic character and the warmer P-90 sound. The cosmetics are typical Gibson for the era with a dark sunburst finished top and back in a dark stained maple rim, single binding on the front, back and fingerboard and pearl dot inlay. Except for the single stringing this EM-150 is the same as the standard model.
This exceptionally rare Gibson and also a fine playing 4-string electric mandolin that does make an interesting comparison to Fender's 4-string "Mandocaster" launched around the same time! As single-strung mandolin is traditionally used for Western Swing playing, and this mandolin would be a real prize for any player in this genre. This extremely cool Gibson rarity is documented in the excellent Paul Fox guide to Gibson mandolins (in the color "Custom and prototypes" section); we have never seen another and neither has he!
Overall length is 26 in. (66 cm.), 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) width, and 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 3/4 in. (349 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
This piece remains in extremely fine condition overall, showing some light pick wear to the top and pickup cover near the fingerboard and a few tiny dents to the treble side of the neck but few other signs of use. The mandolin has been refretted with wire slightly larger than the original style, and has a new nut. The pickguard is warping upwards a bit, but does not impede play; there are no other issues. Complete and all original including a lovely Gibson-badged original black hard shell case. Overall Excellent Condition.
This is, as far as we know a unique custom Gibson mandolin, the only one we are aware of in existence. The EM-150 is not by itself an unusual instrument-the model was the company's longest-serving electric Mandolin, in production from 1936 through 1971. This particular instrument, however, is an extremely rare variation that may well be one-of-a-kind custom ordered with only 4 strings instead of the usual 8. Basically this is a standard EM-150 hollow body electric mandolin mounting a 4-pole P-90 pickup (sometimes waggishly referred to as the "P-45" although that's not official Gibson designation!). The headstock is the same size as the standard 8-string version but carries four individual Kluson Deluxe tuners instead of the standard 4-to-a-side strip.
In the 1950s some western swing players, notably Tiny Moore, preferred to use only single strings on electrified mandolins. Paul Bigsby made several of these, and Leo Fender's Electric Mandolin was only built that way. This Gibson has a sound that is rounder and a bit mellower than such solid body mandolins, with the clean defined "pop" common to the 4-string mando but with some acoustic character and the warmer P-90 sound. The cosmetics are typical Gibson for the era with a dark sunburst finished top and back in a dark stained maple rim, single binding on the front, back and fingerboard and pearl dot inlay. Except for the single stringing this EM-150 is the same as the standard model.
This exceptionally rare Gibson and also a fine playing 4-string electric mandolin that does make an interesting comparison to Fender's 4-string "Mandocaster" launched around the same time! As single-strung mandolin is traditionally used for Western Swing playing, and this mandolin would be a real prize for any player in this genre. This extremely cool Gibson rarity is documented in the excellent Paul Fox guide to Gibson mandolins (in the color "Custom and prototypes" section); we have never seen another and neither has he!
Overall length is 26 in. (66 cm.), 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) width, and 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 3/4 in. (349 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
This piece remains in extremely fine condition overall, showing some light pick wear to the top and pickup cover near the fingerboard and a few tiny dents to the treble side of the neck but few other signs of use. The mandolin has been refretted with wire slightly larger than the original style, and has a new nut. The pickguard is warping upwards a bit, but does not impede play; there are no other issues. Complete and all original including a lovely Gibson-badged original black hard shell case. Overall Excellent Condition.