Gibson Style A-4 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1910), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 10418, black top, dark stained back and sides finish, Spruce top, birch back and sides, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, black hard shell case.
The A-4 was Gibson's highest priced "A" style mandolin for much of the company's early history. This example is quite early, dating to 1910 when Gibson was just becoming a major force in the mandolin market. By this point the instrument has the "modern' sharper neck angle, and the sound is fully developed compared to mandolins from a year or two earlier. This period's A-4 features a black top finish, elevated pickguard, pearl and wire inlaid grained ivoroid tuner buttons and a pearl fleur-de-lys and Gibson logo on the headstock. A lovely sounding playable piece of art nouveau.
Overall length is 25 1/2 in. (64.8 cm.), 10 in. (25.4 cm.) across at the widest point, 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 5/16 in. (33 mm.). this is a good playing example of a fairly early Gibson A-4; some average wear overall but no major issues. Fingerboard rebound with correct style grained ivoroid. The original tortoise celluloid pickguard is intact but the adjusting clamp bracket is missing and an ebony cap had been added to secure it to the rim. The bridge is a later adjustable model, tuners and tailpiece are original. Some typical fretwear but still plays and sounds very well, not looking to bad for over 100 years old! Very Good + Condition.
