radiused fingerboard original on 1923 Gibson A-1?

[Dave Richard]

I have here in the shop the above mando. It has a radiused fingerboard: is this original, or would it have been flat? I've seen and played a few teens Gibsons, but never til now a '20's snakehead.

[sunburst]

It's a Gibson... anything could be original, but as far as I know, all Gibson mandolin fingerboards were flat in 1923. Interestingly, way back in Gibson history, like in the 19-naughts or earlier, Gibson mandolin fingerboards were arched. I've been curious as to when and why the change was made to flat 'boards.

[David L]

My 1906 F2 has a slightly radiused fingerboard which I'm sure is original.

[Dave Richard]

I see now that the fingerboard has a compound radius: radiused at the nut, transitions to flat at the fingerboard end(by the soundhole). Not original...but I like it.

[William Smith]

I have here in the shop the above mando. It has a radiused fingerboard: is this original, or would it have been flat? I've seen and played a few teens Gibsons, but never til now a '20's snakehead.

I wasn't aware gibson had radiused boards in them there days?

[Vernon Hughes]

I've had about 20 gibson ovals from the early 00's thru the teens and 20's and all have had original flat boards.

[mandroid]

arching can be done to a fingerboard during a refret..

[lenf12]

I've never seen an original radiused Gibson fingerboard from that time period. Agreed with mandroid about it being done during a refret.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Dave Richard]

Thanks for all your replies,

Dave

[V70416]

My '23 snakehead A-1 has an ivoroid bound, compound-radiused fretboard;,but was installed by Don MacRostie(about 20 years ago).

He saved the original flat board for me.

Those were the days.

[Randi Gormley]

way late to this party, but my 1923 A-1 has a nice, flat fingerboard. for what it's worth.