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c.1939 Gibson EM-150 Electric Mandolin
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Body width: 10" Scale: 13 3/4" Nut width: 1 1/8"
Materials: Solid carved spruce soundboard; solid carved curly maple back and sides; three pice Honduran mahogany neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays; bound body and neck; pearl script headstock logo.
Hardware: Original hardware includes single coil 'Charlie Christian' notched blade pickup, engraved Gibson tailpiece, adjustable compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge; brown knurled Bakelite volume and tone knobs; adjustable truss rod. Vintage nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners, dark brown swirl tortoise pickguard.
Notes: Introduced in their 1937 Catalog 'Y', Gibson's pioneering EM-150 electric mandolin debuted in their new lineup of electric instruments, including the legendary ES-150, the first commercially successful electric guitar. With a miniature 'Charlie Christian' notched blade pickup, the EM-150 was an electrified version of Gibson's A-1 mandolin, with all solid tonewoods, including a carved spruce top, and carved curly maple back.
Boasting not only of greater volume, the EM-150 was touted as allowing faster technique through its lower playing action as well. An exceedingly rare item, the original 'Charlie Christian' EM-150 was produced only until 1941, when the blade pickup was replaced with a metal covered P-13 pickup at the bridge, then a P-90 pickup by 1949, and finally discontinued in 1971. Based on the individually notched pickup blade, bound pickup cover, and large script headstock logo, we estimate this remarkable example to have been built sometime from 1939 to '40.
This fine first generation EM-150 is distinctively fitted with tone and volume controls mounted on either side of the body, with the classic ES-150 style knurled brown Bakelite knobs. With a dark Cremona sunburst finish on the top, this little wonder has a dark cherry finish on a handsomely figured solid carved maple back. With its original engraved Gibson tailpiece and Brazilian rosewood bridge, the guitar is fitted with Kluson deluxe tuners of later vintage, and a recent dark tortoise pickguard. The original volume and pots are included as well, with a smooth, quiet set of new controls installed.
Favored by legends such as Tiny Moore and Johnny Gimble, the EM-150 has a lively, detailed voice: a true showpiece of classic western swing. The original lacquer finish remains in fine shape, and is notably free of pick or buckle wear, with some finish nicks on the back of the neck, possibly from an instrument stand. With excellent neck angle and bridge height, the instrument affords ample adjustment for string action, with fine original fretwork, and a fresh high precision setup. All binding is original and tight to the body, with several grainline cracks near the treble f-hole soundly resealed long ago. Best of all, the instrument is supplied with its original, and absolutely adorable, Geib striped tweed 'aircraft cloth' hardshell case.
A rare and charming prize for players and collectors alike, this prewar classic is a groundbreaking innovation, at the very dawn of the electric era. One only: call now.
