Gibson H-2 Model Carved Top Mandola (1913), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 20243, black top, dark cherry stained back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This is a played in but still lovely 112 year old example of an early Gibson Style H-2 Mandola, in good playing condition with a lot of life left. The H-2 was the "middle grade" mandola, itself the middle-pitched instrument of the mandolin-mandola-mandocello trio. Mandolas from any era are fairly scarce, 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-2 is distinguished from the lower-priced but structurally identical H-1 by its decorative elements, notably the headstock face with "The Gibson" and a Fleur-de-llys inlaid in pearl, a double half-herringbone soundhole ring with an ivoroid center and inlaid Handel tuner buttons.
This H-2 was made in early-mid 1913, a banner year for Gibson who were just then codifying improvements that made their carved-top mandolin family instruments indisputably the best in the world. Typical period features include a jet black varnish finish top over lightly stained back and sides and the tailpiece with the then-recently introduced Gibson-engraved cover with a fluted top edge. The tuners are the beautiful Handel-made strips with inlaid ivoroid buttons used on the higher-end Gibsons of the period. The top is tight-grained spruce, the back and sides birch and the Honduras mahogany neck is fitted with a heavy bound ebony fingerboard. This is a lovely sounding example ready for another century at least.
Overall length is 28 in. (71.1 cm.), 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm.) across at the widest point, 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 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This beautiful Mandola remains in structurally excellent condition well over 110 years on. It remains original including the oft-missing bridge and pickguard. There is typical micro-checking to the original varnish, with chips, dings and scrapes overall; there are some fairly deep pressure marks into but not through the top finish above the strings but less pick wear than many. The headstock has heavier checking on the back with numerous deeper dings and chips to the face. The back of the neck has a couple of feelable dinge on the treble side in the lower positions.
The only crack repair is a small tight grain split to the top off the lower front edge running under the pickguard, sealed but not overfinished. The back and side seams all look solid with no repair needed. The beautiful original inlaid Handel tuners are still intact and work well. The original tailpiece and cover are present and accounted for. The bridge is the original multi-saddle piece with a small repair below the treble side saddle. The original thin 1913 fretwire is intact, showing some light wear but still quite functional. This is a good player and a fine sounding Mandola, not the loudest we have had but sweeter than some with a well-balanced tone. It is still housed in the original HSC, showing some general wear but fully solid. Overall Very Good + Condition.
