Originally Posted by
rcc56
The A-1 of 1917 had an unbound back, natural top standard.
The A-2 of 1919 had a bound back, Sheraton brown finish standard.
The re-designed A-1, re-introduced in 1922, had a bound back. Black top becomes standard.
The re-designed 1923 A-2, shortly to be renamed A-2Z for a limited amount of time, gets fancier bindings and soundhole rings. Color can be natural or black.
People argue whether or not any of the black examples can correctly called A-2Z or whether an A-2Z must be blonde. I'm not going to that fight. "Does she or doesn't she? Only her hairdresser knows for sure." Folks born after 1980 will have to look that one up.
Confusing?? By 1927, the models have all changed again. We also see Gibson guitar and banjo models with overlapping specifications before WWII. Sometimes they changed their specs as often as some people change their shirts.
Why??? Marketing. Also, sometimes what was produced depended upon what parts were [or weren't] lying around,
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