Gibson Style A "Snakehead" Model Carved Top Mandolin, c. 1925, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, black lacquer finish, maple body, spruce top, mahogany neck, original black hard shell case.
A very clean and original "snakehead" mandolin form the just-post Lloyd Loar era at Gibson. These are generally considered the best-sounding roundhole "A" style mandolins ever made, and this one certainly bears this out.
Top is in early-style black lacquer finish with wide cream celluloid soundhole ring; "The Gibson" logo is thin silver paint in straight-across script. Patent-stamped adjustable ebony bridge and tortoise celluloid pickguard with early nickel-plated bracket.
Original tailpiece cover has the upper decorative 'crown' area double-stamped, a factory error that apparently didn't worry Lloyd's successors in the quality control department!
All original in finish, fittings, and hardware; this is a great example of a 20's blackface instrument, and a perfect playing and sounding mandolin for many different styles of music.
Overall length is 25 3/4 in. (65.4 cm.), 10 1/8 in. (25.7 cm.) wide, and 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.).
Excellent original condition with some light average playwear; all hardware is original. Some noticeable checking and light flaking to the back finish; several dings in top finish. Neck finish nearly perfect.
Shows signs of some use but extremely well-preserved for an 80-year old instrument; set up and ready to play. Excellent Condition.
