1919 Gibson A

[Cragger]

This mandolin looks really clean and sparkly for a 1919. #And I noticed the oval was bound? #Did they do this?

Link to Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3702156343&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting)

[racuda]

This one (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/perl/show_mando.pl?568) from 1920 is bound.

[garyblanchard]

In checking his feedback I notice that he seems to have just bought this from EBay on December 18th for $709. It does look as if he did some work on it.

I had to laugh at this line: "Its even lacking the standard belt buckle dents in its back."

Does anyone play their mandolin that low?

[John Rosett]

my 1913 a has a bound sound hole, and one row of purfling. i think that's standard. the a-jr's don't have soundhole binding, i think. john

[doanepoole]

[QUOTE]my 1913 a has a bound sound hole, and one row of purfling. i think that's standard. [QUOTE]

I can confirm this with my 1914 A

[oh danny boy]

My 1921 A is bound but my understanding is that there were a few changes that year.

[Ken Waltham]

All A's have the bound soundhole.
Only Ajr's do not.
A plain A will have only one concentric ring around the hole, as well.

[danb]

This Picture (http://i19.ebayimg.com/02/i/01/47/ed/84_3.JPG) makes me wonder about the line that runs through the finish chip by the soundhole? It does appear to be mirrored on the treble side though. very unusual grain on this top, look just below the pickguard too. Looks almost like a 3-piece top. Very nice finish condition, they're seldom this nice.

An Ajr will have a little ebony (or black/stained wood) ring in the soundhole, facing the inside/air gap

[fatt-dad]

I have a 1919 A-3 and the soundhole is just like this one. Mine is in the Amana white (and yes I do like the silk and steel strings on it - earlier posting).