1922 Gibson Style A mandolin, serial 71255, stamp 11753. By the end of 1922, almost all Gibson A model mandolins featured the snakehead peghead, a Lloyd Loar innovation designed to allow additional overtone production by creating a clear path for the strings to vibrate between the nut and the tuner post. Whether you embrace the importance of what some might argue is a barely noticeable nuance in tone, most mandolin players understand that there is indeed something consistently remarkable about the sound of snakehead Gibson mandolins of the 1920s. Simply put, there is an eyebrow-raising distinction that is hard to define. Whether the peghead shape contributes, or whether it is the quality of materials, superiority of design or gracefully carved top and back, the difference is there. Combine this with the relative rarity, this model is esteemed and desired by players and collectors even more than the higher priced and more appointed A4s made before 1922. This particular example stands out due to excellent condition, carefully maintained originality and most importantly, the sound. There is no doubt that Gibson craftsmen put extra thought, energy and love into the creation of this particular instrument and that the last 104 years has continued to mature the richness of sound. Features and appointments are consistent with the 1923 catalog (except for the substitution of birch for maple for the back and sides) and include straight-grained spruce top stained with Sheraton brown; a rich antique mahogany treatment of (birch) rim and back; a fine varnish; straight-grained British Honduras mahogany truss-rodded neck; ivoroid binding on top; purfling ring around sound-hole; Waverley arrowhead tuners; ebony fingerboard; front and side position markers; adjustable, compensated ebony bridge; elevated pick guard; bone nut; and hardshell Geib and Schaefer green-lined case. Condition grades as excellent with only minor surface dents in the top (above the soundhole and bridge area). Nowhere is the finish affected so as to expose bare wood. Sound and playability are extraordinary. If you are one of those players who does not care about looking like someone who wants to look like someone who wants to look like Bill Monroe, this just may be the mandolin for you. In any case, this is one great, fantastic sounding Lloyd Loar era Gibson instrument in excellent condition and perfect action that we now offer for sale for only $3200. (which includes UPS ground shipping east of Mississippi and shared costs in other destinations).

1922 Gibson A mandolin, # 71255, stamp # 11753