Lusting after your mandolin, Bobuz. I'm hoping to score a LL model A someday, it's on my bucket list. As soon as I convince Mrs. Dread...
Guild Mandolin
- Thread starter The Guilds of Grot
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bobouz
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I first fell in love with the 'A' models after seeing Norman Blake play them in the late '70s & early '80s. Was fortunate enough to see him twice in small venues, and the fullness of his tone was very appealing. At some point, a 1919 'A' came into a shop I frequented back then with a broken headstock. No truss rod, and you could totally see the large V-shaped piece of ebony Gibson used to reinforce the neck, which was very interesting. I committed to buying it after repair, and it had a wonderful sound. Unfortunately, the neck had some bow in it, and without a truss rod, it could not be dialed out. On a mandolin, I need the neck to be almost dead-on straight to play comfortably, so eventually I sold it - but missed the tone terribly. When this 1922 example came along about ten years ago, I was so darn excited. Drove 80 miles to look at it, and was thrilled to see that even though it had obviously been played a lot, it was 100% structurally sound!
I would say that it's really worth looking for a '22 or later for the truss rod. They also seem to more consistently have a richer tone. Many I see for sale have body cracks, seam separations, or sunken tops (especially earlier 'A' models that had the one-piece ebony bridge, which placed string pressure directly onto the center seam of the top, rather than the adjustable two-foot design that spreads the pressure out & away from the center). With all of that said, quite a few of these little guys have survived very nicely, and you should be able to find a good one. Since you live close to Elderly, ask them if they might call you when one comes in, since they do seem to get them periodically.
At any rate, I hope you readily receive the okay from Mrs. D. With all of the good work you do and the joy you bring to others, you absolutely deserve it!
GGJaguar
Reverential Member
I had a chance to buy a Hofner-made Gagliano mandolin, but blew it. I don't play mando and have no idea if it was a decent instrument, but who wouldn't want one with their name on it?!!
