1917 Gibson Alrite Style D Pancake Mandolin


I've worked-on maybe a half-dozen Alrite and Army & Navy mandolins made by Gibson and each time they surprise me -- they're a lot louder and more cutting than you'd expect, with an almost A-style pop and chunk to each note.

This is the loudest one I've come across so far and it was just in the shop for some minor repairs for a customer -- seam regluing, a fret level/dress, side dots, new adjustable bridge install, and a small addition brace inserted just below the soundhole to help with the (very typical) "sagging top" syndrome these have. It's since come back for resale, however, as the owner has made some huge instrument purchases and needs to purge! Oh well.

This one was refinished (or completely oversprayed) in the past and is missing its original tuners, pickguard, bridge, and tailpiece cover. Still, it looks nice, plays great, and sounds like a little bulldog fighter, so it's A+ in my book.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, side dots, new bridge, additional brace, seam repairs, setup.


Weight: 1 lb 9 oz

Scale length: 13 7/8"

Nut width: 1 1/8"

Neck shape: medium V

Board radius: flat

Body width: 9 1/2"

Body depth: 1 3/4"


Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid birch

Bracing type: v-shaped tonebar

Bridge: ebony replacement (adjustable)

Fretboard: ebony

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret:
hair-under 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 36w-10 or similar

Neck relief: teensy hair of upbow at pitch

Fret style: small/low


Condition notes: the finish is either completely oversprayed or refinished throughout. The coloration is right but it's definitely got a newer topcoat throughout. The bridge and tuners are replacements and it's missing its pickguard. The tailpiece cover is missing as well.


It comes with: a decent hard case, actually! (not pictured)













Comments

Bob said…
What are those strings?

Only others I've seen with color-fiber windings at the ends were Thomastic (sp?) flatwounds, which these aren't.