1912 Gibson A Carved-Top Mandolin

This is a nice old Gibson A that I refretted and adjusted the other week. It was quirky to do the refret as I couldn't get the pickguard off without endangering it but it turned-out just fine and now plays like a gem.

Teens-era Gibson mandolins can be hit or miss depending on your taste. This one doesn't have the wide-open, woody-airy sound that a lot of folks are looking for but it does have a good, woody, chunky, sweetheart kind-of voice. Flatwound Thomastik strings on the G&D courses accentuate that, of course, as well.

It's in good order with the only replacement parts being the endpin, saddle (new bone replacing replacement plastic which replaced the original ebony inserts), and frets. It's solid spruce over solid birch as normal.