1906 Gibson A-3 Mandolin – Used

This Gibson A-3 was built in 1906, just four years after the company was founded in 1902. The A-3 was their second highest A model, and was given a neat floral inlay on the headstock and in the thin pickguard which was itself inlaid into the carved spruce top. This has what we call Gibson’s “early geometry.” The headstock is at a far steeper angle to the neck barrel, the carved top is not as domed in the center, and the neck angle is more shallow in relation to the top. These features are all continuations of what were essentially Orville Gibson’s designs, and this example still has it’s original paper label on the inner back, with Orville staring up at the viewer through the soundhole, surrounded by the “arms” of one of his bizarre lyre-shaped mandolins. A great, fully playable example of early Gibson history.

Many Gibson mandolins from this period aren’t very playable because the neck lamination glue joints in the headstock often fail. Fortunately this example had some help several years ago from Frank Ford, who did a clever almost-hidden splice at the top of the headstock that has held everything together. The center seam in the carved two-piece back opened many years ago and was repaired with an inlay.

Despite being 120 years old, it’s quite playable and has a bright, chimey tone. The carved top is one-piece and has held up very well (the one-piece top is a rarity). Except for touch-up to the back and neck repairs, the finish appears to be the original shellac vanish throughout. It still has its original “Handel” tuners with inlaid buttons. The tailpiece has been replaced with a later Gibson model. The original, which had its coverplate modified, is included. Includes a slightly later hardshell case.