1985 Paul Newson A-5-Style Archtop Mandolin

Overview: In the mandolin community, Paul Newson is well-known as a top-flight builder and his instruments are only available in small quantities. This A-5 model has been played and played and played and has the tone and feel to prove it. There's nothing quite like a beautifully broken-in bluegrass mandolin... they've got the pop and attack but also have a bit more velvet and smoothness to the tone which will let them get moonlight in the "jazz mando" scene as well. Fit, finish, design, and style are all exexcuted nicely.

Tone: It's loud, poppy, punchy, and sweet all at the same time. It's got great attack and volume.

Feel: The neck is quick and modern and roughly comparable to a new Collings or the like. The extended neck joint makes it really easy to play all the way up the fretboard and, while the scoop at the end of the fretboard was not original to the instrument, it sure as heck makes it easier to play up there.

Interesting features: The deco-style headstock (reminiscent of '30s archtop guitars), ebony pickguard, and binding all over are nice starters. It's also got gorgeous flamed maple for the back, sides, and neck and the Gibson-style tailpiece and bridge are nice nods to the past. From my point of view, the years of love put into the instrument that's shown in the wear and tear to the finish (especially at the back of the neck) is highly attractive. This was played heavily and enjoyed but not made gross.

Repairs included: Ancel leveled/dressed the frets, made a new bridge topper (saddle) to replace the slightly-damaged original, cleaned-up the look of the "scoop" at the end of the fretboard, and set it all up. It plays spot-on and is ready to serve.

• Weight: 2 lbs 2 oz
• Scale length: 14"
• Nut width: 1 1/8"
• Neck shape: slim-medium V
• Board radius: 14"
• Body width: 10 1/4"
• Body depth: 1 3/4"
• Top wood: solid spruce (carved)
• Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple
• Bracing type: tonebar
• Bridge: ebony adjustable
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: two-piece flamed maple
• Action height at 12th fret: hair-under 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 40w-11
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium-narrow

Condition notes: As noted, there's finish wear especially to the back of the neck. I've tried to highlight it in the photos. Overall, though, it looks nice and "lightly worn-in" save that area -- like you'd expect in the look of a nice old violin. It had a refret at some point and there's plenty of life left in the frets. I'm pretty sure the better-quality Grover tuners were added sometime in the '90s as I don't think that style was available in the '80s.

It comes with: It has an older hard case in good order.

Consignor tag: WLND