The A3 is the second-fanciest Gibson A-style mandolin from the first two decades of the 20th century. 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.
     The mandolin dates from 1915, as best I can tell. The factory order number, 3268, is clearly legible on the neck block. The serial number, however, is a different matter—it is faded almost beyond detection. I have convinced myself it is 32691, but it certainly could be something else. This mandolin has its original tuners, bridge, pickguard (slightly warped), and mounting bracket with the 1911 patent date stamp. The endpin is a replacement, and it has a modern 1-piece cast tailpiece.
     The 3-piece neck is made from two pieces of mahogany with an ebony center stripe. The top is spruce; the sides and 2-piece back are birch. Typical A3 vine inlay on the headstock. It delivers strong oval-hole tone, and is just back from the luthier, who performed general cleanup, replaced the endpin and tailpiece, dressed the frets, checked the transverse brace, corrected the intonation, and adjusted the action. The original frets, having been recently dressed, are low but uniform. There is some slight relief in the neck between frets 3 and 10. It's accompanied by its original hardshell case, which has taken a licking but is fully functional.
     Dealers lucky enough to get hold of a vintage A3 often want $2,200 or more for it. This one is somewhat less. See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. $1,750 plus shipping.