1940s Gibson A-50 Carved-Top Mandolin

While much love is given to 1920s-and-under Gibson mandolins, the '30s-on-up instruments are just as good but different. They're more forward, punchy, and bluegrassy-sounding for the most part. This one certainly is -- it has chop and pop, no problem!

The standard-issue instruments also got a lot fancier over time, with birch backs being replaced with flamed maple (like on this guy) and the appointments getting a bit more deco and slick. Check out that bound tortoise pickguard! It's in such good shape I thought it might be a replacement, but it looks original to me after pulling it off for a check. The only things "swapped" on this instrument are nut (probably), the tuners -- StewMac repros and a big upgrade compared to the originals in function -- and the frets, which have been replaced by much-kinder modern wire.

I only needed to tweak the setup a bit before putting it out in the shop for sale. Whoever had done work on it in the past had gotten it dialed-in pretty nicely.

As far as dating goes, the small diamond in the headstock along with the Gibson logo style suggest perhaps 1941-1942, though I can't find a factory order number on it (yet) and this style was built during the wartime years in this fashion.

In short: it plays beautifully (the neck is faster than the '20s or '30s ones), has a good, choppy, bluegrassy tone, and looks gorgeous. Not much to argue, there!

Repairs included: mild setup.

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple, carved back

Bracing type: tonebar

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: hair-under 1/16" (fast)
String gauges: 38w-10 or close to it

Neck shape: medium V

Board radius: flat

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium

Scale length: 13 7/8"

Nut width: 1 3/16"

Body width: 10 1/8"

Body depth: 1 7/8"

Weight: 2 lbs 3 oz

Condition notes: it's in really good shape for its age, with only a minor amount of usewear throughout -- some pickwear near the fretboard extension and smaller scratches, nicks, and dings here and there. It also has quite nice flamed maple used on the back. Tuners, nut (probably), and frets are replacements.

It comes with: a good, modern, hard case.