Re: Early Gibson F-4 mandolins with both carved and arch tops?
Originally Posted by
Dave Richard
[QUOTE The biggest change during the period would have been the introduction of the truss rod in the early 20's, and the advent of lacquer sometime during the mid to late 20's. End Quote)
IMO, the other changes to consider is the way Gibson changed(and improved, IMO) the arching, and maybe the graduations, of their mandolins, between 1900 and 1921 or so(before Loar arrived), and the neck angle(which will affect the bridge height).
I have not taken any measurements, but visually comparing the top carve(and recurve), neck angle, and bridge height between my 1921 A, and a 1913 F-2 I owned last year, I could see the differences. The '21 A had superior tone and volume. Admittedly a limited sample, but I've handled others in my repair work. Also, from my experience playing and repair vintage archtop guitars, a bridge that is too low(i.e. from being shaved to avoid a neck reset) is a tone and volume killer.
I think Gibson and it's employees were 'figuring it out' in that 21 year period.
That '21 A must sound pretty darned good
"To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar
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