1928 Martin Style A Flatback Mandolin

Overview: About a decade ago, my friend Bob bought this mandolin and was happy as a clam about it. More recently, I received it in trade and gave it a bit of a sprucing-up. It's a lovely instrument -- very clean and all-original -- and it has a nice voice. These Martin A-model mandolins (spruce over mahogany) get a little stuffier-sounding after the '30s and, I think, the '20s was the best period for them in general. I've definitely played a few from the '40s I really liked, but I think the '20s ones were the most consistently-full-sounding ones produced.

Tone: It's clear, woody, and sweet with good sustain and a "mellowed" top-end. It sounds great for Celtic and old-time stylings.

Feel: Being a Martin, it can't help but feel like a quality instrument. The neck is on the "medium" side but it's comfy and quick. The bar frets are low and small in height but the feel is smooth.

Interesting features: It's nice to have one of these with all of its original gear -- including the oft-missing tailpiece cover. I like the inset, teardrop-shaped pickguard, too -- something that only started gracing Martin's guitars in the '30s.

Repairs included: I gave it a level/dress of the frets, mild cleaning, and setup work. There was also a very thin hairline in the fretboard extension which I filled and sealed (the only crack on the instrument). It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 1 lb 5 oz
• Scale length: 13 1/4"
• Nut width: 1 1/8"
• Neck shape: medium C
• Board radius: flat
• Body width: 9 1/2"
• Body depth: 2 7/8"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid mahogany
• Bracing type: ladder
• Bridge: ebony compensated
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 34w-10 lights
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: low/small bar stock

Condition notes: It's quite clean with just average usewear/handling wear via small scratches and scuffs here and there and the main exception to this being a little pickwear both to the bass side of the soundhole and a bit of "washboard" to the treble side of the pickguard. The fretboard extension over the body has a very thin dryness crack down its middle but it is patched and sealed.

It comes with: It's got its original chip case

Consignor tag: JW