Gibson H-2 Carved Top Mandola (1912)
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Item # 10134
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Gibson H-2 Model Carved Top Mandola (1912), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 17974, sunburst top, dark cherry stained back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This is a lovely 110 year old example of an early Gibson Style H-2 Mandola, still in very nice original condition with a lot of life left in it. The H-2 was the "middle grade" mandola, itself the middle-pitched instrument of the mandolin-mandola-mandocello trio. Mandolas from any era are fairly scarce, although more were made in the 1910's than later periods this is still a fairly scarce item well over a century on. The H-2 is distinguished from the lower-priced but structurally identical H-1 by several decorative elements, notably the headstock face with "The Gibson" and a Fleur-de-llys inlaid in pearl, double half-herringbone soundhole ring and inlaid tuner buttons.
This H-2 was made in 1912, a banner year for Gibson who were just then codifying improvements that made their carved-top mandolin family instruments indisputably the best in the world. Typical period features include a jet black varnish finish top over lightly stained back and sides, a raised celluloid pickguard, the tailpiece with Gibson-engraved cover and solid carved ebony compensated bridge with individual saddle inserts. The tuners are the beautiful Handel-made strips with inlaid buttons used on the higher-end Gibsons of the period. The top is tight-grained spruce, the back and sides birch with more figure than many and the neck Honduras mahogany is fitted with a heavy ebony fingerboard. This is a lovely sounding and fine playing example, ready for another century at least.
Overall length is 28 in. (71.1 cm.), 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm.) width, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 15 3/4 in. (400 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This beautiful Mandola is nicely original and complete with the exception of the pickguard, which is a well-done reproduction using the original clamp. There are a some minor chips, dings and scrapes to the top finish, but really it is pretty well preserved for its age. The finish retains a very nice and deep original color, and has very fine checking most notably on the headstock, which has the heaviest dings and chips. There appears to have been a sticker or applique of some sort on the headstock rear that was removed but left a mark long ago.
There are no visible crack repairs, it is likely some of the back and side seams have been resealed but there are no scars from the process. The beautiful original inlaid Handel tuners are still intact and work well. The original tailpiece and cover are present and accounted for. The repro pickguard looks good and shows a bit of wear. The instrument has been neatly refretted with appropriate wire just a bit bigger than the original (very thin!) 1912 standard and is an excellent player and a fine sounding Mandola, with very good projection and a well-rounded tone. This is one of the more attractive H-2's we have had, housed in a decently fitted later HSC. Overall Excellent Condition.
This is a lovely 110 year old example of an early Gibson Style H-2 Mandola, still in very nice original condition with a lot of life left in it. The H-2 was the "middle grade" mandola, itself the middle-pitched instrument of the mandolin-mandola-mandocello trio. Mandolas from any era are fairly scarce, although more were made in the 1910's than later periods this is still a fairly scarce item well over a century on. The H-2 is distinguished from the lower-priced but structurally identical H-1 by several decorative elements, notably the headstock face with "The Gibson" and a Fleur-de-llys inlaid in pearl, double half-herringbone soundhole ring and inlaid tuner buttons.
This H-2 was made in 1912, a banner year for Gibson who were just then codifying improvements that made their carved-top mandolin family instruments indisputably the best in the world. Typical period features include a jet black varnish finish top over lightly stained back and sides, a raised celluloid pickguard, the tailpiece with Gibson-engraved cover and solid carved ebony compensated bridge with individual saddle inserts. The tuners are the beautiful Handel-made strips with inlaid buttons used on the higher-end Gibsons of the period. The top is tight-grained spruce, the back and sides birch with more figure than many and the neck Honduras mahogany is fitted with a heavy ebony fingerboard. This is a lovely sounding and fine playing example, ready for another century at least.
Overall length is 28 in. (71.1 cm.), 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm.) width, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 15 3/4 in. (400 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This beautiful Mandola is nicely original and complete with the exception of the pickguard, which is a well-done reproduction using the original clamp. There are a some minor chips, dings and scrapes to the top finish, but really it is pretty well preserved for its age. The finish retains a very nice and deep original color, and has very fine checking most notably on the headstock, which has the heaviest dings and chips. There appears to have been a sticker or applique of some sort on the headstock rear that was removed but left a mark long ago.
There are no visible crack repairs, it is likely some of the back and side seams have been resealed but there are no scars from the process. The beautiful original inlaid Handel tuners are still intact and work well. The original tailpiece and cover are present and accounted for. The repro pickguard looks good and shows a bit of wear. The instrument has been neatly refretted with appropriate wire just a bit bigger than the original (very thin!) 1912 standard and is an excellent player and a fine sounding Mandola, with very good projection and a well-rounded tone. This is one of the more attractive H-2's we have had, housed in a decently fitted later HSC. Overall Excellent Condition.