Vintage Gibson (A shape) Mandolins (Early 20th Century)

BigLicks67

There seems to be a lot of these floating around lately, what is the story with them?  Anyone own or have owned one. Seem relatively cheap compared to most high end mandolins.

Here's an example ;    
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gibson-A-Mandolin-from-1916-in-original-hardcase-in-excellent-condition/172938480936?_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160908105057&meid=af1a6b69e66b40dea758eabf689f2442&pid=100675&rk=9&rkt=15&sd=152670911225&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A06d873ca-b98f-11e7-830e-74dbd1805a82%7Cparentrq%3A53e3d28715f0aa11ecd77dd4ffffadcb%7Ciid%3A1

Funkfingers

The steamed and pressed top and back are far less expensive to manufacture than carving an F Style.

Bridgehouse

Yes. That are a much sweeter sound than the f style - specially with that soundhole. 

Why are they cheaper? The biggest market for mandolins is the US bluegrass scene, and they don't chop like the f hole styles.

Are they any good? Yes, they can be excellent. Really excellent. Watch out for:

- No truss rod on the early ones so watch for neck warp.
- Look out for splitting and cracking.

They go up in price depending on adornments - from A0 to A4. In my view the A1's are best bang for buck.

Bridgehouse

Funkfingers said:

The steamed and pressed top and back are far less expensive to manufacture than carving an F Style.

Some of the early As were carved the same. 

RiftAmps

As said above, the main issue is neck warp or even worse, neck twist.

BigLicks67

Interesting, thanks for the info.