1915 Gibson A

[Mike Buesseler]

There is a very nice '15 Gibson A model for sale in the classifieds (NFI). The seller has some great photos in PhotoBucket and it's in the Mandolin Archive. It's a great looking mandolin and I wish the seller luck, but I have a question. (It probably should be posted in "General Discussions," but I know I'll get the best answers here.)

The closeup shots make the wood look a lot like mahogany to me. I'm sure it is NOT, but doesn't it look a lot like it? Also, the bridge is a design I've not seen before. It appears to have an separate saddle, perhaps adjustable. What's the word on these?

[Mike Buesseler]

I should have included photos, I guess. OK, forget the wood question, can anyone tell me something about this bridge?

http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/a...albumview=grid

[Paul Hostetter]

It's birch, as could be expected. I wrote you off-list about the bridge. Maybe someone else has something to say? I just looked closer at it and I think some of the saddle pieces were reversed and recut. I don't see how it could play in tune very well like this:

[Mike Buesseler]

That's just what I thought...Thanks for the help, Paul.