I recently purchased, sight unseen, a 1927 Gibson A. I was able to buy it for a fair price, so I took the risk.. :D
It arrived this evening and I haven't much experience dealing with vintage instruments, so I am hoping for some guidance on what to look for while I still have the option to return it.
Here are my visual observations:
1. I believe all hardware - case, tail piece, tuners, bridge, pick guard - is original.
2. I believe the fretboard is original. The frets are small, which I understand to be typical of these old Gibsons.
3. Tuners are difficult to use, which I suspect lends credence to their originality.
4. Frets appear in good condition.
5. Bridge looks straight.
6. Not sure if the top has sunken slightly?
I've uploaded to Dropbox several photos (link at bottom of post).
Here are my observations after playing it:
1. Intonation at the 12 frets seems darn near perfect.
2. Plays great up the neck.
3. Progressively from the fret 7 or 8ish, the notes start to go flat. The closer to the nut, the worse it is.
4. There is buzzing when playing notes on the first 6 frets.
5. The back does not appear to be separating.
6. The only cracks appear to be two very small cracks on each side of the neck joint. However, it's difficult to discern if they're just scratches,
I've attached two audio clips (link at bottom of post). One is me playing Angelina the Baker in D, which I think emphasizes the flat notes. The other compares the open scales played in first position to the closed scales whose 4th and high octave notes are played on the 12 fret.
Here are my questions:
1. Do you agree all the hardware is original? I'm most unsure about the bridge.
2. Do you think the top has sunk?
3. Do you agree the frets seems to be in fine condition?
4. Should I be weary of using medium guage strings?
5. What are the pros and cons of the smaller frets?
6. Besides raising the bridge, is there anything else to look for / try to diagnose the string buzzing?
7. Could the buzzing and flat notes be related?
8. Do you agree those are cracks on the neck joint? If so, anything to be concerned about given how small they are?
9. When caring for the mandolin, is there any thing one should do different compared to caring for how a modern, high end mandolin?
Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/i8uhlg9nb...mgfVoJK0a?dl=0
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