c.1917 Gibson Alrite Style D

[Jake Wildwood]

Here are some quick pics of this Alrite, also received in a recent trade. After a new nut, fret level/dress, and setup, it's back playing again. I think this one will stick in the stable for the time being, since my buddy snickered me out of that Martin Style 15 I recently posted, which I knew would happen, since it's the same year as his 0-18 and he practically begged...! Ohhhhhh silly me.

Anyhow, there are curious alterations to the instrument, but none detrimental to tone, that you can read about at this instrument's blog post (click here) (http://antebelluminstruments.blogspot.com/2012/08/c1917-gibson-alrite-style-d-mandolin.html).

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pduvoMZwTEs/UC7KK0cUY3I/AAAAAAAAaGI/r1a9if4nmew/s1600/alrite1.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-APtBHg4eSqM/UC7KLiMTcfI/AAAAAAAAaGQ/agAT1hvJCxE/s1600/alrite2.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0B1PTnn5ZnU/UC7KQXiOPfI/AAAAAAAAaHA/tCL6b268OFg/s1600/alrite8.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lsyArogFVkM/UC7KRC2in2I/AAAAAAAAaHI/YWtxIEK4vLU/s1600/alrite9.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EwM9uspTjlw/UC7Koi3ytAI/AAAAAAAAaHQ/zSd9VA77xOM/s1600/alrite10.jpg

[F-2 Dave]

I've never seen or heard an Alright in person. They are however, IMHO one of the funkiest things that Gibson added to the mandolin world. I love the looks of the perfling(sp) and the rosette. I'd like to get my hands on one someday. How does the sound compare to a teens A model?

[Fstpicker]

Sweet!! I wonder how these compare tonally to the Pancake Flatirons made in Montana?

Jeff

[Jake Wildwood]

Well, this one has had modified bracing -- ladder installed at some point. To be honest, it's a little more powerful than the standard bracing (v/tone-bar-ish), but shares similar tone to regular A-models -- open and sweet like a round-hole but with that Gibson husky, darker bottom. This one is about 1.5x louder than the other Alrite I owned, and I'd say it's on par volume-wise to a Gibson A-Jr I just worked on, which makes it more useful for jams since it can be heard just fine.

It actually sounds a lot like the Flatirons and also some of the Mid-Mo/Big Muddy builds.

But, what's especially cool is the small profile -- these feel like playing an electric instrument, but sure belt it out for the minimum of air space they've got under the hood.