Gibson Style H-1 Carved Top Mandola (1913)
LOADING IMAGES
Gibson Style H-1 Model Carved Top Mandola (1913), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 23532, natural varnish finish, birch back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black gig bag case.
This is a well-used over 110 year old example of an early Gibson Style H-1 Mandola, showing noticeable wear but still with a lot of life left in it. The H-1 was the "basic" model 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 1913, by which point Gibson's carved-top mandolin family instruments were becoming 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 of these we have had 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 some minor scars of from 101 years out in the world. The original thin varnish finish is intact and unaltered, with general wear overall and much of it rubbed off the back of the neck. There is typical fine checking and chips, dings and scrapes overall. The top finish retains a nice amber patina with some dings and scrapes but less pick wear than many.
Visible crack repairs include two sealed grain splits to the top, one just below the treble side of fingerboard and the other off the bass end to the soundhole rim. The area by the endpin has a few small sealed splits to the rom where it is attached to the tailblock. The back/side seams have been resealed solidly but not lined up exactly in some spots. The hardware remains original with the exception of the pickguard, which is long gone. The tuners, tailpiece and one-piece ebony bridge all remain in solid and relatively clean condition.
The instrument has been neatly refretted with wire that is a good modern approximation of the original thin 1913 frets with a bit more meat on them. The feelable side fingerboard binding has been visibly reglued. Even with the wear this is an attractive instrument and a very good player, with a warm and lovely sound. It is housed in a modern gig bag. Overall Very Good + Condition.
This is a well-used over 110 year old example of an early Gibson Style H-1 Mandola, showing noticeable wear but still with a lot of life left in it. The H-1 was the "basic" model 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 1913, by which point Gibson's carved-top mandolin family instruments were becoming 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 of these we have had 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 some minor scars of from 101 years out in the world. The original thin varnish finish is intact and unaltered, with general wear overall and much of it rubbed off the back of the neck. There is typical fine checking and chips, dings and scrapes overall. The top finish retains a nice amber patina with some dings and scrapes but less pick wear than many.
Visible crack repairs include two sealed grain splits to the top, one just below the treble side of fingerboard and the other off the bass end to the soundhole rim. The area by the endpin has a few small sealed splits to the rom where it is attached to the tailblock. The back/side seams have been resealed solidly but not lined up exactly in some spots. The hardware remains original with the exception of the pickguard, which is long gone. The tuners, tailpiece and one-piece ebony bridge all remain in solid and relatively clean condition.
The instrument has been neatly refretted with wire that is a good modern approximation of the original thin 1913 frets with a bit more meat on them. The feelable side fingerboard binding has been visibly reglued. Even with the wear this is an attractive instrument and a very good player, with a warm and lovely sound. It is housed in a modern gig bag. Overall Very Good + Condition.