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1916 Gibson Model H-1 Mandola
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FON #: 2777, stamped on neck block Body width: 10" Scale length: 15 3/4" Nut width: 1 1/4"
Materials: Solid bookmatched hand graduated spruce top; hand carved bookmatched birch back and sides; 2 piece mahogany neck; solid ebony fingerboard; grained ivoroid body and neck binding.
Hardware: Original nickel hardware includes engraved Gibson script tailpiece, open backed gear-over-worm tuners with grained ivoroid keys, compensated solid ebony bridge. Vintage correct unbound tortoise pickguard and bracket.
Notes: The Gibson Model H-1 mandola was introduced in 1902, and remained in the Gibson catalog until 1936, though rarely shipped after 1930. As the alto voice in the mandolin orchestra, the mandola shares the same C-G-D-A tuning as a viola.
All carved from solid tonewoods, the instrument features a hand graduated soundboard with grain strongly suggestive of Adirondack 'red' spruce. The body is crafted of slab-cut birch, with a three piece Honduran mahogany neck, and an ebony fingerboard with an extension over the soundhole. Tastefully ornamented, the H-1 is appointed with grained ivoroid binding and tuner keys, twin checkerboard soundhole rings, and a compensated solid ebony bridge. A vintage correct tortoise pickguard is installed as well, secured by an aged nickel bracket.
The classic amber orange finish was hand rubbed in violin style varnish, a treatment that was changed to black lacquer finish by 1925. At barely over 2lb, this instrument is notably light in weight, warmly resonant, and floats easily on the lap or the strap. The traditional V profile neck offers smooth low action over a straight ebony fingerboard, with fine original frets, and a fresh high precision setup.
The instrument shows no cracks in the body or neck, and has been maintained in fine condition, with all original finish. The body is notably free of pick wear, with playwear confined to some smooth thumbwear on the neck, some arm wear on the top, and a few scattered finish nicks on the back. The voice is warm and vibrant, with excellent volume, and the instrument is equipped with a deluxe black heavy duty padded Cordura gig bag.
Built in limited numbers, mandolas constituted only a small fraction of the production of Gibson's mandolins. A rare and handsome find: one only, call now.
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