{"product_id":"gibson-a-3-carved-top-mandolin-1914-13900","title":"Gibson A-3 Carved Top Mandolin (1914)","description":"Gibson A-3 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1914), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 25760, natural top, cherry stained back and sides finish, birch back and sides, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black soft shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is somewhat well-worn, played in \"relic\" example of one of the Gibson Company's more obscure mandolins, the early Style A-3. It shows wear and some old repair but remains a fine sounding mandolin. This high-midline model was never a big seller and went through a couple of variations in the 1910s. In collectors' minds it is mostly identified with the striking \"Antique Ivory\" finish used only on this model between 1918 and 1922. This earlier A-3 dates to 1914 and has a more standard \"pumpkin\" top finish, distinguished from the models under it by a double-half herringbone soundhole ring and a dainty pearl geegaw on the headstock under the pearl script \"The Gibson\" logo.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe top and back are single bound with a wide ivoroid, the ebony fingerboard is single bound with pearl dot inlay. The bridge is a one piece carved ebony unit. The tuners are original but the tailpiece cover is modern, and the elevated pickguard is long gone. This is not the cleanest of these we have had but remains a good playing and sounding example of this relatively rare early Gibson mandolin.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 25 3\/4 in. (65.4 cm.), 10 1\/4 in. (26 cm.) width, and 1 13\/16 in. (4.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/4 in. (32 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis 110+ year old mandolin shows general finish wear everywhere, with some minor touch up work but no heavy overspray. The thin varnish top finish remains original with dings, scrapes and dents, most heavily above the fingerboard but less pick wear than many. The back and sides are also somewhat worn down but retain their original tinting and patina. Much of the varnish gone from the back of the neck, evidence of a LOT of play time. The headstock shows a dings, scrapes and scratching but the finish remains original.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe back was likely off at one point, and the binding all around the rear edge has been redone solidly but not particularly neatly with random touch up around the edges. The only visible crack is a small spruce grain split to the top from the front edge to the soundhole ring below the fingerboard extension, solidly sealed up. The fingerboard was refretted; the frets are slightly larger than period Gibson style wire and in very good playable shape. The fingerboard binding was replaced at the same time with correct if newer grained ivoroid. The bone nut remains original.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe tuners and bridge remain original, the original tailpiece is fitted with a modern cover with no Gibson logo. The elevated pickguard is long gone. Even with the wear and repair the instrument is very solid and sounds great with a powerful ringing tone. It resides in a later hard foam case ready to gig. Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Gibson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54098345918604,"sku":"13900","price":2250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_c6791b4d-bc97-4174-8cb8-ca1ce6fb0726.jpg?v=1787785825","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/gibson-a-3-carved-top-mandolin-1914-13900","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}