Mandolin described as Gibson Alrite/Style D from 1918-1919. No peghead "Gibson" and no label. I expect it's misinformed seller or a scam? Anybody think differently?
Mandolin described as Gibson Alrite/Style D from 1918-1919. No peghead "Gibson" and no label. I expect it's misinformed seller or a scam? Anybody think differently?
There is life beyond pentatonic scales.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/michaelhitchcocktrio
My understanding is that the Gibson Alrite Model D was a civilianized, "deluxe" version of the Gibson Army/Navy, made for a couple of years after WWI. The one on eBay looks like the pictures I have seen. I don't think they did have headstock logos. As far as labels, I don't know, but those things can fall out over the years. I would love to have one of those instruments. I never trust anything on eBay, but I think it could be legit.
Here's a link to one for sale for $850 at Lark Street Music
http://www.larkstreetmusic.com/list/pict/alrite.jpg
It looks like they did have labels, but not headstock logos. This one looks like the one on eBay, except for the pickguard shape and the tailpiece. I am pretty sure the tailpiece on this one is aftermarket, though, so the pickguard could be also.
The Lark Street pickguard is not original. The eBay one has an original Gibson mandolin pickguard and the original tailpiece base, even if the cover's missing. Funny that the label fell out.
I believe these preceded the Army-Navy items. IIRC, they were made only in 1917 and the Army-Navy was introduced in 1918.
Alrites were made in 1917 only. They became the Army and Navy model in 1918.
Army and Navy Model has a cross brace. The Alrite had 2 tonebars that ran from neck block to tailpiece block, one on each side of the soundhole.
Alrites are less frequent than Army Navy Mandolins.
Well I just went and bought the Alrite that you all have been discussing, so I should be able to post a first-hand report on it soon. I too used the Alrite on Lark Street's website as a reference. Based on that one, I'll be very surprised if this one is not the real thing. And unless something is wrong that doesn't show in the pictures, it is more original and in better shape than the one that Lark Street has.
For anyone that hasn't seen it yet, I've attached a photo. I'll be back with some observations on the instrument after it arrives.
This is pretty much identical to mine, which I bought from a really nice man who claimed (and I believe him) that it had been sitting in its little canvas case since birth and had never been played. It still had its original factory strings. Like a fool, I changed them, and it didn't improve the sound one iota.
Do you think Gibson ever made an Alrite Style C? Or a (gulp) Style A?
bsnider, I am sure that your mando is not a fake.
I have been watching/studying those particular models for years and I think that one is the real deal.
I haven't bought one yet but thought really hard about bidding on yours but I have my eye on something else right now.
I think you did well.
I think you will find this to be a lovely little instrument. i palyed one that had been converted to X Bracing about a year ago and was rather taken by it.
Thanks for the encouragement, Paul, atetone, and 8ch. I'm honestly surprised that more people weren't bidding on this one.
Again, I'll be sure to post a review when I get that little bugger here to try out.
Bruce
The Alrite arrived yesterday, so here's my report.
Cosmetically, the instrument is in very nice condition. It appears to have been oversprayed at some point, but if so, it was done well. The top has sunk considerably, a good 1/8" under the bridge. The neck is straight, and the fretboard is in good condition. The latter is flat from the nut to the body, where it falls off, following the dip in the top. The pickguard is in good condition.
There is one repaired top crack on the treble side, under the pickguard and another that runds the length of the bass side. The latter may have been repaired with a splint. If so, again, it looks like a very clean job.
I like the sound very much, and I would like to make this instrument a daily player. That's going to take some setup work to bring the action down, probably a refret, and an overhaul of the tuners.
I wonder about the top, though. I assume it's sunk as far as it's going to. And, as I said, the instrument sounds very nice. Still, I wonder about opening it up and rebracing it to make it perfect. Anyone have thoughts to share about that?
Bruce
I bet it's as sunk as it's going to get, but it wouldn't hurt to look inside with a mirror and a light and see if things are zut-tut. I have a dead mint Alrite Style D that sat in its case for more than eight decades with its original heavy strings up to pitch. It was totally playable (and still is) with its factory setup. Absent any dome strength, these mandolins can't take getting squished very well. And they've usually lived in a soft canvas end-loading case, which is no help either. You might find a broken or loose brace, and I'd sort that out before doing anything else.
I would take Paul's advice to heart tho if it is sunken it would make me nervous even if the top braces were fine. I think it would make the instrument work and sound better if it had an induced arch and were set up properly.
Jim
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
Playing lately:
Ca. 1923 Washburn (L&H) Pro A -- Brentrup A4C -- 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin -- 1904 Embergher Type 3 -- 1937 Gibson L-Century -- 1939 Gibson L-00 -- ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo
So how come my 1921 Gibson catalog doesn't show the Alrite?
Because they were not still being made with the name Alrite. Look above a 8ch(pl)'s post and you will see that they were replaced with the Army/Navy.
Bill Snyder
They probably were never in a catalog like this, either model, I just wanted to show this cool catalog. I always understood that the Army-Navy came first, for sale in PX's only, during and shortly after WW1, and then to the public as the Alrite, later. Am I upside down?
Edit: I probably am, I re-read Walter Carter's article about this, and he seems to indicate the Army-Navy was released to the public in 1918 forward,(eliminating the Alrite).
I think that is more or less it. Perhaps WW1 ended with Gibson having a stock on hand. From what I understand they sold for about $12 or $13 in that era. Is there price listings for A and F models in your Catalogue Dave?
Yes. January 1921. A $79.79 A2 97.52 A3 115.25 A4 132.98 F2 177.30 F4 230.49
Guitar L4 212.76 and Harp U 443.25
You know this is the 1973 reproduction catalog. I got it when it was new.
The A price would lead me to believe my $12 or so is a bit low. It should likely be about Half the cost af an A or more.
I never thought about the prices listed in the catalog, they are a seperate page glued in the front, not on the page describing the instrument. It seems Gibsons were always pricy!
Just wanted to let you all know that the Alrite is all right. Half an hour of setup work, and it's playing great.
Thanks to all who offered advice and information.
Bruce
Does it have the north-south tone bars?
Yup. It's got the tone bars and a couple of short lateral braces under the top and one lateral brace across the back.
Hi Bruce,
Just wanted to let you know that I have an Alrite as well, and I love it dearly. I called the Gibson company, archives department, and they told me that the Alrite was made for ONE YEAR ONLY---making it a pretty rare instrument. #Even for a flat top D model, I think these are underpriced--I only paid $850 for mine and it was in fabulous condition when I got it, even with its original case and pickguard. #However, in the last few months it has developed a back seam separation, which I need to get repaired. #Anyway, just wanted to let you know that it was only made for one year, so that's why you don't see more of this model. #Enjoy your Alrite!
Keely
Anyone see this on the Bay?
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Army-and-Navy-Mandolin-1920-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ290094166338QQcategoryZ10179QQrdZ 1Q
QcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-....iewItem</a>
NOT!
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