1917 Gibson Alrite Mandolin
(Serial No. 4XX33) Excellent playing condition showing some wear as expected. This is the first flat top and flat back mandolin made by Gibson (1911 to 1917). It is the mandolin that Flatiron chose to copy with their "pancake" mandolins sixty years later. Has a flat Adirondack spruce top, flat mahogany back and sides, and a round sound hole. The internal top bracing is very different from the A models. It also has wood purfling around the top edge and the soundhole, a feature not seen on other Gibson mandolins. Top bound only with a plain black peghead like the Gibson A models, but it does have the Gibson name on the label inside the mandolin. The sound is loud and in your face - just like the Flatiron mandolins of the 1980s. Just set up. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan Beaumont click here. This would be a good session instrument. Comes with a case.
Click for pricing and to return to the main page
Click the picture for a very large high resolution pic. Use your back browser button to return.
