1921 Gibson A-2 Carved-Top Mandolin

July 12, 2020

1921 Gibson A-2 Carved-Top Mandolin

This handsome old Gibson A-2 was in here just for a glorified setup and a K&K Twin Spot pickup install. I had to snag a video clip and some pictures because it's got just the right amount of wear and tear to look glorious and it's sound is alarmingly good. I hear a lot of good Gibson As around these parts (old time and bluegrass are big in Vermont) but this one is a champ. It's got kick, fullness, sustain, and pop.

While it's mostly-original throughout, there's a missing heel cap, minor old repair evidence, and... look at that crazy bridge! This is the original Gibson adjustable bridge type, featuring a "foot" like a cut-down normal non-adjustable bridge but with posts set into its top and an aluminum, compensated saddle.

Frankly -- I love the way it sounds, looks, and operates. I'm a huge fan of aluminum saddles/bridges in general for both acoustic and electric instruments, so to see Gibson concur with my assessment like this makes me quite happy. It's also stable in use and doesn't warp or split in the way the traditional wood-top ones do... always at the contact point with the thumbwheels.

So, in short: a great old mandolin. The duo who owns this are lucky duckies.

Scale length: 13 37/8"

Nut width: 1 1/4"

String spacing at nut: 1 1/16"

String spacing at bridge: 1 9/16"

Body length: 13 1/8"

Lower bout width: 10 1/8"

Side depth at endpin: 1 7/8" + arching

Top wood: solid spruce, carved

Back/sides wood: solid birch, carved back

Bracing type: one ladder brace

Fretboard: ebony