1917 Gibson A-3 Mandolin - Used

$1,950.00

Details

According to the Factory Order Number (FON) Gibson built this A-3 in 1917 and shipped it in 1918. It has had some significant upgrades for the serious mandolin player, and while the collector purist might prefer originality over function we think the changes are improvements. It’s been fitted with a set of Golden Age Restoration machine heads from Stewart MacDonald which have a higher tuning ratio than the originals and they turn more smoothly. The bridge is an adjustable ebony version that's a reproduction of the bridge Gibson began using in 1922.

This A-3 was refretted with contemporary mandolin fretwire, which is similar to the wire used on new Collings and Northfield mandolins, and is not the low, super narrow fretwire Gibson used 100 years ago. As a result of these changes you get that vintage tone and overall vibe but with the ease of tuning and smooth fretting you get with a new high-quality mandolin. It has its original shellac varnish finish throughout, the original pickguard and the tailpiece with the “The Gibson” cover. There are no cracks, but the center seam glue joint of the back opened just slightly and was repaired (it just shows as a thin line). A great vintage Gibson mandolin without the usual old-mandolin hangups! Includes a recent TKL hardshell case.