Up for sale, a 1927 Gibson Style A oval soundhole "snakehead" mandolin in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. This well-kept Style A mandolin was crafted at the Parsons Street factory in Kalamazoo, MI shortly after Lloyd Loar’s departure from Gibson, still sporting a number of Loar-designed features, most notably the slender “snakehead” peghead. Intended by Loar to reduce string friction at the nut, the Gibson mandolins with slender, tapered “snakehead” headstocks are often considered to be among the best for those seeking a quintessential creamy-yet-dry, big and open classic Gibson mandolin sound.

Tonewoods include a graduated carved spruce top, birch back and rims, Honduran mahogany neck, and ebony fingerboard. Tonally, this Gibson is crisp and immediate, with a woody chop and great natural breadth when notes ring out. Beyond the punchiness, there’s a smoothness to the sound that is emblematic of few other mandolins beyond the finest Pre-War oval soundhole Gibsons, and this A also has plenty of projection on tap, easily holding its own in ensemble situations. This Style A has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-39 strings and easy-playing action.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Honduran mahogany
-Shape: V, measuring .880” 1st fret, 1.020” 5th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, dot inlay
-Frets: Slender, virtually no wear
-Scale Length: 14”
-Nut: 1 1/8”, bone
-Headstock: “Snakehead” slender taper, “The Gibson” script silkscreen
-Tuners: Open-gear strip, white buttons

Body Specs:

-Wood: Spruce, birch
-Hardware: Ebony bridge (adjustable/compensated), nickel-plated tailpiece with “The Gibson”  cover
-Plastics: Tortoise pickguard with “Pat. Mar. 30 ‘09” stamp and bracket
-Marquetry: One-ring purfling at soundhole, bound top
-Serialization: FON on heel block translates to late 1927/early 1928, serialized “Guaranteed” white oval label

A well-kept, crack free example, the instrument has had some minor separation of the back at the lower bout professionally addressed. The gloss Ebony finish exhibits lacquer checking, a few minor scuffs on top, light buckle rash on the back, and some small nicks on the body as a whole, largely limited to the rims. The neck profile retains its smooth gloss, with a worn-in, easy-playing feel.

The original hardshell case is included. The case features a dark green interior, functional latches and the original handle.