| The most iconic "non-Gibson" American mandolin design, the Style A was Lyon & Healy's top mandolin model and was priced accordingly (about the same as Gibson's F-4). This example has a nicely figured one-piece curly maple back, and it's original tuners, pickguard, and tailpiece. As you can see from these photos, it saw a lot of playing hours, probably over many years. It's been professionally refretted, and the bridge has an ebony shim. Note that the little metal leg rest, that collapsed into the body, is now missing. Much of the varnish on the back of the neck has been worn through to the mahogany itself, and the whole mandolin has a patina of serious use but no abuse, as there are no cracks or breaks or big nasty dings. Best of all, it's a very responsive mandolin that rings with a rich throaty tone, and at the lightest touch. |
Circa 1921 Lyon & Healy Style A Mandolin
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