1916 Gibson A-3 Mandolin (Pre-owned)
An attractive and largely original Gibson A-3 mandolin from 1916. Featuring a carved spruce top, carved maple back and sides, original finish, engraved tailpiece and pickguard, this pre-Loar instrument offers the warm, mellow tone that has made these early Gibson oval-hole mandolins enduring favourites among folk and acoustic musicians.
It's in excellent condition showing only light signs of age and use. Original finish and hardware are largely intact, with a replacement bridge and professionally fitted McIntyre pickup. Structurally sound, freshly set up and supplied in a modern fitted hard case.
Specifications:
- Year: 1916
- Make: Gibson
- Model: A-3
- Serial Number: 28112
- Factory Order Number (FON): 2909
- Origin: Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
- Body Style: A-style, oval soundhole
- Top: Hand-carved solid spruce
- Back & Sides: Hand-carved solid maple
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Ebony, pearl dot inlays
- Bridge: Ebony (replacement)
- Tailpiece: Original engraved Gibson tailpiece
- Pickguard: Original tortoiseshell celluloid
- Headstock: Original pearl "The Gibson" logo and floral inlay
- Tuners: Original strip tuners with ivoroid buttons
- Pickup: McIntyre transducer with endpin jack
- Scale Length: Approx. 13⅞" (352 mm)
- Nut Width: Approx. 1¼" (32 mm)
- Case: Modern fitted hard case