Up for sale, a 1918 Gibson Style A mandolin in collector-grade, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. This remarkably well-kept “pumpkin top” Style A mandolin was produced during what most consider to be the very first year of the Lloyd Loar era of Gibson production (although it’s unlikely Loar himself was actually working on any instruments this early for Gibson, even though he had already signed a contract with the company), crafted at the Parsons Street factory in Kalamazoo, MI.

Tonewoods include a graduated spruce top, “air-seasoned” maple rims and back, Honduran mahogany neck, and ebony fingerboard. Tonally, this Gibson is warm and round, with impressive projection, and there’s an inherent smoothness to the sound that is emblematic of few other mandolins beyond the finest Pre-War oval soundhole Gibsons. Additionally, there’s a woody chop and punch ideal for ensemble playing and rhythmic strumming, with great natural breadth. This Style A pumpkin top mandolin benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-38 strings and easy-playing action.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Honduran mahogany
-Shape: Prominent V, measuring .925” 1st fret, 1.065” 5th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, dot inlays (small hole at 7th fret)
-Frets: Slender, light wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-6
-Scale Length: 14”
-Nut: Just shy of 1 1/4” (1.22"), bone
-Tuners: German-made strip tuners (original), white-buttons

Body Specs:

-Wood: Spruce, maple
-Bridge: Ebony, compensated, “The Gibson” nickel-plated tailpiece cover
-Plastics: Tortoise pickguard with white copper “Pat. July 4 1911” bracket
-Marquetry: Two-tone rosette purfling, grained ivoroid binding
-Serialization: FON on heel block translates to 1918

There are a couple professionally repaired splits on the body, one central to the back at the lower bout, and one on top at the lower treble-side edge with targeted finish touch-up. Cosmetic wear on the gloss “pumpkin top” varnish finish is otherwise limited to buckle worming along the treble-side rim and on the back, faint pick scuffing on top, and just a handful of minor dings on the body as a whole consistent with decades of careful usage. Palm wear has left the neck profile with an exceptionally smooth, worn-in feel.

The original Faultless hardshell case is included.