1922 Gibson H-4 Mandola - Used

$12,500.00

Details

A remarkably original and highly playable mandola, Gibson's highest mandola model at the time of its production (serial number dates it to 1921 or '22, depending on which dating list you use).
Except for the missing pickguard, which succumbed to celluloid wasting disease years ago, this H-4 is original throughout, and shows no signs of cracks or repairs. Tuners, pearl nut, frets, bridge and tailpiece are all there, ditto the shaped hardshell case, which has the side clamp for the pickguard in the asssecories pocket. The beautiful sunburst varnish is original and shows very little wear with the exception of a portion of the soundhole rosette (discolored by the pickguard) and a couple of spill lines on the top. Did the original player get a bit careless with a toast? (must not have been something high proof, as these marks barely dull the surface).
Original frets show only light wear, so while this H-4 got played it never saw lots of use. Neck has slight relief, neck angle is excellent as you can judge from the tall bridge. The slight mark to the finish in front of the bridge is because as with most Gibson mandolins from this period, the original bridge placement played sharp. And did we mention the one-piece back? You see that on Gibson mandolins fairly often but not on the larger mandola models.