1932 Gibson A Mandolin
1932 Gibson A mandolin # 88714, FON 264. A beautiful, original, one-owner mandolin in excellent condition. This great sounding style A was custom ordered from Gibson by a Greek emigrant, Paul Meletiou, in 1932. Working through a music store in Raleigh, NC., (possibly Braxton Music) he arranged to have his name engraved on the truss-rod cover. This mandolin is crack-free, with no warpage or sinkage and structurally sound throughout. The ebony finish is original and in great shape except for a few minor nicks and dings and of course the finish crackle expected with age. Features include adjustable truss-rod mahogany neck, adjustable bridge, elevated pick guard, ivoroid-bound spruce top, oval sound hole with ivoroid and ebony rosette, maple back and sides and stamped “The Gibson” tailpiece. We have it set up with action at 4/64 inch at 12th fret at treble side, 5/64 inch at bass side. Width of fingerboard at nut: 1.185” (approx. 1 3/16”); at 10th fret: 1.539 (1 17/32); depth of neck at 1st fret: 1 inch. What do these numbers mean? Simply put, the fingerboard and string spacing are slightly wider than todays’s standard spec. A reproduction bridge has been installed for increased sound and optimal playability. The pick guard arrived here with 4 curious beveled 3/16 inch round holes which we have repaired. We have also replaced the plastic end pin with an ebony one. The sound? Quite a lot for the money here with rich and sonorous bass like the best of the A models and balanced and clear in the treble, with nice projection throughout. The original tuners hold pitch well once in tune. The stiffness of the gears is apparent mainly when changing strings, as anyone familiar with 1930s A model mandolin tuners will expect. Original red line G & S hardshell case is in excellent condition. Also included are items of memorabilia used by Mr. Meletiou as well as original bridge and endpin. $1950 includes shipping continental US and we share shipping costs to selected overseas destinations.