Summary
1915 manufacture date (traditional estimates)
1913 shipment date, according to Spann's Guide to Gibson
Mandolin, Style F4
Serial 22225
Factory order number unknown
Description
black top finish, spectacular flamey woods on the back and sides, two piece back, pearl double flowerpot logo, bound top and back, and a bound ebony fingerboard with treble extension. bridge, tailpiece and pickguard are original. I'm convinced this mandolin went back to Gibson in the 1930's. The tuners are from the 1930s, and you if you look very closely you can see where the face of the peghead was filled and then redrilled for the new tuners, which had a different post to post spacing. Its nice clean professional work which had to be factory work back then. I also think the top finish is original but the back and sides were refinished at Gibson to show off the nice flame in the wood. Theres lots of checking on the back - this is a very old refin. There is also a small patched area at the tip of the rear peghead overlay. Last, it comes in a 1930s era redline hardshell case. Nice big woody sound from this mandolin with good bass! Neck is straight, neck angle is good and the frets show very little wear.
