1922 Gibson A3 Mandolin
(Serial No. 69460 FON 11578) Excellent minus condition, white top finish. Has a truss rod in the neck. This is the last year before the snakeheads and you get the best of both styles - the wider fingerboard of the paddle peghead neck but also has the adjustable bridge and truss rod and, most importantly, they have the sound of the snakeheads. You get all of the Loar era improvments with a wider neck for more comfortable playing. Plays very easy and has strong volume with a very balanced sound - this would be a good session instrument. Excellent for Celtic, jazz, classical, or old-time music. Shows some minor nicks and dings and a little wear on the edge of the top thats expected on an A3 that was played. The wear on the upper back edge of the peghead is caused by leaning the instrument against the wall for years. Neck is straight, frets are fine. I'm not certain of the exact year as I'm guessing on the first two digits of the serial number, but white top A3s with truss rods were only made in 1922 and a few in 1923. The body finish is original but shows some apparent water damage on the bottom near the endpin and it looks like the back edge seam near the tailpiece was reglued. Other than the addition of a reproduction Loar era adjustable bridge all hardware is original including the difficult to find white pickguard and it comes with the original hardshell case.
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