{"product_id":"gibson-a-2z-snakehead-carved-top-mandolin-1923-6127","title":"Gibson A-2Z Snakehead Carved Top Mandolin (1923)","description":"Gibson A-2Z Snakehead Model Carved Top Mandolin (1923), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, natural top, dark back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA great-playing and sounding original Style A-2Z mandolin form late 1923\/early 1924, the very peak of the \"Loar Era\" at Gibson. The instruments of this time are generally considered the best-sounding round hole \"A\"-style mandolins ever made, and this one certainly bears this out. This is a fine example of Gibson's craftsmanship at the apex of the mandolin era, just before the company's focus shifted to banjos and then guitars. These \"Snakehead\" instruments are revered for their unmatched tone and projection and have all the most advanced features of the era including the adjustable truss rod, raised adjustable bridge, and slim neck profile. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe A-2Z was the midline mandolin in the line, and is fairly rare compared to the less expensive Style A and A-Junior models. The most distinctive attributes of this model are the natural top and unusual silver-plated tuners with pearl buttons, which add a major touch of class. The top is also triple-bound; the back and fingerboard are single-bound. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe top is a clear, natural lacquer finish with a thin, double-inlaid wood soundhole ring with a thick celluloid center; \"The Gibson\" logo is pearl in sharply angled script. The tortoise celluloid pickguard is fully intact and is held with the earlier-style clamp, which would be replaced shortly with a simpler screw bracket. These distinctive Loar-era A mandolins have become ever more sought-after by discerning players.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLloyd Loar's tenure as acoustic engineer at Gibson has become so mythical that sometimes separating fact from fiction is difficult. Certainly the mandolin family instruments made during the period of Loar's employment are the most perfectly realized in Gibson's history, and have become the template for most similar instruments since. The mandolins of the \"Loar Era\" show the influence of a master player on both design and execution, although other Gibson employees (especially Thaddeus McHugh and Lewis A. Williams) actually engineered many of the technical improvements of the early 1920s. Loar was primarily concerned with \"voicing\" the instruments properly; the Master Model Style 5 line was his greatest contribution with their violin-style f-hole tops, but all Gibson mandolin family instruments were refined and improved at the same time.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 25 7\/8 in. (65.7 cm.), 10 1\/16 in. (25.6 cm.) width, and 1 13\/16 in. (4.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 7\/8 in. (352 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/8 in. (29 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA superb example of this rare Gibson \"A\" model; a resealed back center seam is the only repair. There are a few pick scratches, finish rubs, and dings overall, but really this mandolin shows very little wear for its 90 years on Earth. A simply wonderful instrument; an extremely fine player with a very powerfully bright but well-modulated sound. Includes a nice OHSC. Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Gibson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853291442316,"sku":"6127","price":5500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_3bca3163-8c93-4fcf-bb55-ffd7f9f73f2c.jpg?v=1774333301","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/gibson-a-2z-snakehead-carved-top-mandolin-1923-6127","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}