Gibson Style A-1 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1914), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 25081, natural top, cherry stained back and sides finish, birch body, spruce top, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This is a nice playing example of the typical 'teens Gibson A-1, appearing less used than many with a lot of life left in it! It shows typical period features, including a nicely aged 'pumpkin' finish top, and the solid carved ebony compensated bridge without bridge with individual saddle inserts. The A-1 is basically the same as the A model, with the addition of a pearl Gibson logo on the headstock and a double ring half-herringbone soundhole decoration. Well preserved over 100+ years and ready for another century, an enduring testament to the work of the original Gibson factory.
Overall length is 26 1/2 in. (67.3 cm.), 10 1/16 in. (25.6 cm.) wide, and 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.). This mandolin remains in nicely original overall, and is complete including the tuners, tailpiece & cover and pickguard and clamp that have often gone missing by now. The pickguard is complete except the celluloid stalk holding the bracket has been replaced. The finish has darkened with age and there is some average checking and wear, mostly to the back of the neck around the first position and the top near the bridge. There are several visible repairs to the back/side edges, which have typically shrunk over time but everything is solid. The frets have just had some attention and this is a quite good player with a sweet but ringing tone, and plenty of volume. A very fine original 100+ year old mandolin that includes a solid OHSC with some of the covering missing. Excellent - Condition.
