Gibson A3, 1909, acoustic. $1,950.
The A3 is the often-overlooked stepchild of vintage Gibson mandolins. I
get the impression that it was produced in smaller quantities than any of
Gibson's other A-style mandolins. It had many of the nicer appointments
(double soundhole ring, top and back binding, MOP headstock decoration),
but lacked some of the flair of the fancier A4. A3s produced after 1918
were famously painted "refrigerator white," but before then they had honey
amber or pumpkin tops, like this one.
Serial number is 9013 and factory order number is 912, both pointing to 1909 as the year of manufacture and shipping. There isn't a ton of documentation on Gibson mandolins from this year; it was a period of transition as the instruments exchanged their inlaid pickguards for raised ones and underwent changes to the tailpiece and label, among other features. This one has its original tuners, tailpiece, endpin, and bridge. It also comes with a genuine vintage Gibson pickguard and mounting bracket, which are currently not installed. Since the bracket bears the 1911 patent date stamp, we know it is originally from a different mandolin. The pickguard is included in the price; if you don't want it I will negotiate a reduced price for the mandolin.
The fretboard binding appears to be redone, and a strap button has been added at the heel. The 3-piece neck is made from two pieces of mahogany with an ebony center stripe. At some point in its past, this A3 must have been stored under dry conditions, because the neck developed some cracking and a seam separation. It has been reglued and is completely solid, but has taken a hit in the cosmetic department. After restoration by Stu Herrick of the Folkstore in Seattle, it was regularly played for several years in the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra. Then it was checked and adjusted by another luthier, and sold to another member of the same orchestra for several more years of playing. Now it's once again looking for a new owner. It is solid and ready to go.
Spruce top; dark red birch back and sides. Typical A3 vine inlay on the headstock. Like many A3s, this has particularly nice oval-hole tone, with above-average clarity and projection. It's professionally set up and fully playable, and there's no top sinkage. It's accompanied by its original hardshell case, which has a square patch on the exterior black fabric and had had a metal sheath added to its handle, but is in fine condition otherwise. There's even a homemade black case cover to protect the case.
Dealers lucky enough to get hold of a vintage A3 often want $2,200 or more for it. But as fine an instrument as this is, it has had some work done and is more of a player's axe than a collector's showpiece. My price, I hope, reflects those realities. See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. $1,950 plus shipping.
Serial number is 9013 and factory order number is 912, both pointing to 1909 as the year of manufacture and shipping. There isn't a ton of documentation on Gibson mandolins from this year; it was a period of transition as the instruments exchanged their inlaid pickguards for raised ones and underwent changes to the tailpiece and label, among other features. This one has its original tuners, tailpiece, endpin, and bridge. It also comes with a genuine vintage Gibson pickguard and mounting bracket, which are currently not installed. Since the bracket bears the 1911 patent date stamp, we know it is originally from a different mandolin. The pickguard is included in the price; if you don't want it I will negotiate a reduced price for the mandolin.
The fretboard binding appears to be redone, and a strap button has been added at the heel. The 3-piece neck is made from two pieces of mahogany with an ebony center stripe. At some point in its past, this A3 must have been stored under dry conditions, because the neck developed some cracking and a seam separation. It has been reglued and is completely solid, but has taken a hit in the cosmetic department. After restoration by Stu Herrick of the Folkstore in Seattle, it was regularly played for several years in the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra. Then it was checked and adjusted by another luthier, and sold to another member of the same orchestra for several more years of playing. Now it's once again looking for a new owner. It is solid and ready to go.
Spruce top; dark red birch back and sides. Typical A3 vine inlay on the headstock. Like many A3s, this has particularly nice oval-hole tone, with above-average clarity and projection. It's professionally set up and fully playable, and there's no top sinkage. It's accompanied by its original hardshell case, which has a square patch on the exterior black fabric and had had a metal sheath added to its handle, but is in fine condition otherwise. There's even a homemade black case cover to protect the case.
Dealers lucky enough to get hold of a vintage A3 often want $2,200 or more for it. But as fine an instrument as this is, it has had some work done and is more of a player's axe than a collector's showpiece. My price, I hope, reflects those realities. See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. $1,950 plus shipping.