3 Point Mandolin close-up
3 Point Mandolin and 3 Point Mandola
I guess there comes a time in a builder’s life when you realize it is finally time to part with your favorite instruments. Some I have had for many years, dreading the time when I would have to part with them, others are fairly new, but so revered that you consider them your best work. It is very difficult and rationalizing the hurdle is something you just keep wanting to put off.
I’m at the point where I just don’t have the muscle, energy and dexterity to play them anymore, so, I will be putting them up for sale over the next several weeks on the website.
I can only hope that each instrument finds a good home, is played and enjoyed. I will be listing both guitars and mandolins/mandolas.
1922 GIBSON F4 MANDOLIN
My personal opinion is that the Gibson F4 is the most beautiful of all of Orville Gibson’s F style creations. This particular one is extra special because it features the "Cremona Brown" finish that was applied to about two hundred 1921-22 F4’s. It was built in 1922 and features a "double flowerpot" on the peg head.
It is in extremely good condition for its age. I removed the original frets (they were like new), planed the finger board flat and re-installed the same frets. The tonality of the instrument is wonderful, sweet but powerful as F4’s could be. Charlie Derrington and I marveled at the tiny quilt of the maple back and figured it was probably silver maple. It is all that someone looking for an F4 could want or imagine. Everything on the instrument is original except for the bridge saddle. The original was split. It is very easy playing and has been a wonderful friend to me for many years.
SOLD
3 POINT MANDOLIN
At one point, I bought an old Gibson 3 point mandolin. It was one of the cheaper ones with a plain peg head and a black top. It seemed a good instrument for old time tunes, had a different sound than the typical F-5. I decided to build them both in the 12 fret versions and the 14 fret hybrid.
This blond 3 point is the 14 fret, hybrid variety. It has the oval hole/transverse brace sound, but is more powerful than the 12 fret version. Instrument features a blond red spruce top, flamed maple dyed burst red maple back and sides and a full “torch and wire” peg head with Schaller tuners and the old Handel inlayed ivoroid buttons. Instrument is in excellent condition and comes with custom 3 point Calton case and is sold used.
SOLD
3 POINT MANDOLA
I also decided to build a 3 point mandola. Don’t know if Orville ever built one, but I really liked the looks of 3 points. This is the usual 12 fret instrument, has a wonderful, sweet oval hole sound, powerful tone. It features a black dyed Sitka top and red burst maple back and sides. The peg head features old Handel buttons on Schaller tuners and the “torch and wire” inlay. Nearly flawless, comes with a custom Calton case. Sold as used.