1916 Gibson A-1 Carved-Top Mandolin

Here's a handsome Gibson A-1 mandolin in on consignment. It has a sweet, round tone, good cut, and of course the usual classic Gibson handling which feels like "home base" to many of us mando-players. 

Also, like most of us, it has some stories to tell. Some time ago (I'm guessing the early '70s) it was refinished and gained both '60s Kluson-style tuners and an extra brace installed under the bridge on the top. This is really common to find on teens-era Gibson mandolins because the carved tops are often cut just a little too thin at the factory and so they begin to collapse over time when "modern" string gauges are applied over decades.

This guy's holding-up nicely with 36w-10 gauges and sounds roughly the same as models without the extra bracing. Everyone who's picked it up has remarked on how good it sounds, and I agree. It's got that old Gibson A magic.

My work was light on it, but suffice to say, it's now playing quick and easy and it has the bonus of a freshly-installed adjustable ebony bridge, too. The original one-piece bridge is in the case, though, but an adjustable one sure makes it a lot easier to keep your setup correct as the seasons change.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, new bridge install, and setup.

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid birch

Bracing type: ladder

Bridge: ebony (adjustable)

Fretboard: ebony

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: hair-under 1/16" overall (fast)
String gauges: 36w, 24w, 15, 10 lights

Neck shape: medium V/C

Board radius: flat

Neck relief: hair of relief (dialed-out in fret level/dress)

Fret style: quite low/small

Scale length: 13 7/8"

Nut width: 1 1/4"

Body width: 10"

Body depth: 1 3/4" + arching

Weight: 1 lb 14 oz

Condition notes: the instrument has been entirely refinished some time ago. It does show lacquer cracking/checking just in the finish here and there on the top, sides, and neck with some chipping at the seams near the heel/neck joint area, too. It looks older, thankfully -- and a lot like some of the Gibson mandolins I've seen that were refinished and serviced by Gibson in the '60s and '70s. There is a non-original additional brace on the top and it's not beautifully-installed but it is functional and doesn't hurt the tone. The tuners and bridge are replacements and it's missing its original pickguard -- though that latter bit is no loss playability-wise, as many Gibson owners can attest. Lastly, it does have one in-wood crack on the back. It's repaired -- and I shot a "glared" picture to show where it is.

It comes with: a rectangular, possibly homemade, hard case. The original bridge is also stashed in it.