Gibson Style A Model Carved Top Mandolin (1917), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, natural top, cherry stained back and sides finish, birch body, spruce top, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black chipboard case.
This is a nice-playing example of the typical 'teens Gibson Style A, appearing to have seen some use through the years but still with a lot of life left in it! Typical period features, nicely aged "pumpkin" finish top, and the solid carved ebony compensated bridge without bridge with individual saddle inserts. This is the basic A model, simple with all the sound of "the Gibson" (as it was advertised at the time) without much in the way of 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 shows some wear and typical repair but remains nicely original overall. Complete including the tuners, tailpiece and cover, and pickguard and clamp that have often gone missing by now. The pickguard shows an old repair by the edge of the fingerboard, but is solid and complete with the adjustable bracket.
The finish has darkened with age and there is some typical fine checking throughout and wear, mostly dings to the top near the soundhole. There are several visible repairs to the back/side edges, which have typically shrunk over time, but everything is solid, with some polish-out to the finish. There is a very tiny crack on the side just below the top/neck block joint. The frets are still in good condition and this is a nice player with a sweet but ringing tone, and plenty of volume. A very fine original 100 year old mandolin, as playable today as it was during the Wilson administration! Excellent - Condition.
