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Serial Number
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1925 Gibson Snakehead A4 Mandolin #81790

Summary

1925 manufacture date (traditional estimates)
1927 shipment date, according to Spann's Guide to Gibson
Mandolin, Style A4
Serial 81790
Factory order number unknown
Virzi Serial Number 10686

Description

(Serial No. 81790) Excellent condition, true red sunburst finish. A straight original mandolin showing some honest playing wear. Snakehead A models from 1923-1925 are the most sought after of the Gibson A style round hole instruments, and for good reason. They sound great! This is the A4 which was the top of the line for the A style mandolins. Has the pearl logo and inlay in the peghead, fully bound, ebony fretboard with treble extension, reproduction Cumberland Acoustic adjustable ebony bridge, original tuners, tailpiece and pickguard. It also has the Virzi tone producer inside. This mandolin also has the chocolate brown finish on the peghead face - somewhat unusual but fully original. This is a classic Loar era instrument with the sound that you expect from this period. Just set up by my luthier so it plays smoothly with excellent volume and tone. This is just a great sounding mandolin - an excellent demonstration of why many pickers believe the snakeheads are the best oval hole mandolins ever made by Gibson. Has a minor repaired crack at the screw holes holding the tailpiece and some wear and possible finish touchup on the sides near the near block. No major structural issues and the finish appears to be original. Comes with the original hardshell case.

Categories

Categories this instrument is a member of

  • Snakehead peghead shape
  • Virzi

Source

From Mandolin world Headquarters.
Charles Johnson is a pioneer in the field of internet sales of musical instruments, and his Mandolin World Headquarters web site is full of wonderful Gibson mandolins

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