Re: Martin bent top, flat back mandolins
I have a 1919 Style A, faux tortoise pickguard. As far as I can tell, body shape's identical to the later Style A's. Haven't played many of the later ones, but don't notice any distinct difference in sound.
Longworth's book says nothing about changes in body shapes, just materials (mainly bindings). Mine has rosewood binding front and back, ebony bridge. The very first Style A's, 1914-17, were rosewood, and until 1919 they were front-bound only, at least according to Longworth.
Allen Hopkins
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