Gibson K-1 Carved Top Mandocello (1919)
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Gibson K-1 Model Carved Top Mandocello (1919), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 57495, Sheraton brown varnish finish, birch back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
We feel the Gibson Mandocello is one of the great under-appreciated instruments of the early 20th century. Originally designed for use in 1910s-era mandolin orchestras, these imposing beasts never found a home in any other style of music despite being unique-sounding creations. Double-strung and tuned in fifths starting with the C below the low E on the guitar, the mandocello has an imposing tone and deep resonance unlike any other fretted instrument. OK, we're starting to sound like an old Gibson catalog here, but we really like these and are always happy to get one in stock!
This particular instrument is a fairly worn-in but really fine sounding Style K-1 from just before the dawn of the 1920s. This was the most basic of the three mandocello models Gibson offered but still a fairly expensive instrument when new. It is structurally the same as the fancier Model K-2 with a little less "geegaw" (decoration). The headstock face carries just a plain pearl "The Gibson" inlay while the openback strip tuners are tipped with unadorned ivoroid buttons.
The top finish is what Gibson called "Sheraton Brown", a thin varnish shade particular to the late teens/early twenties period. These "brown tops" may not be the prettiest of the 1910's Gibsons but are often among the best sounding. The sound hole decoration is two separate wood inlaid rings and a bound edge. The K-2 had fancier versions of these decorative touches, but the physical features (and sound) were the same for both with an oval body, bound carved spruce top with a flat oval soundhole and birch back. The necks on all models are mahogany, carved with a medium "V" profile topped with a bound and dot-inlaid ebony fingerboard.
This 1919 K-1 Mandocello dates to the end of the 1910s decade when these mandolin family instruments were about to fall from favor, and are less common than in the earlier 'teens examples. Up through the mid-'20s Gibsons were only available from licensed teacher-agents, and were usually purchased on a time payment plan along with lessons. As part of the deal, the students would often play in the teacher's fretted orchestra, and the low-tuned mandocello was crucial to achieving a full sound in these ensembles. Far fewer were sold compared to mandolins, however, making Gibson mandocellos from any era a comparative rarity.
With its 8 strings and "C" orchestral tuning the mandocello has a totally unique sound and makes an excellent recording instrument. While mandolin orchestras are rather thin on the ground in the 21st century these instruments can be employed for a wide range of playing styles, some still yet to be explored!
Overall length is 38 7/16 in. (97.6 cm.), 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm.) width, and 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 5/8 in. (625 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This over-105 year old K-1 shows a decent amount of general wear; If not cleanest we have had sonically it is a particularly fine example. The original top finish shows micro-checking and dings, scrapes and chips, with a LOT of noticeable wear all around the base of the bridge. The lower edge of the body has some old overfinish over the back and side rims where the seam has been resealed and one small split repaired on the rim just below the endblock. The neck finish is the original fairly thin varnish with some loss down to the wood along its length. There are dings, dents, scrapes on the headstock.
The back/side seams have been neatly re-glued in some spots, which it typical for these as the birch backs often have shrunken up over 100+ years. Apart from these and the one small rim crack the instrument has no other visible cracks or structural repairs. The hardware is mostly original including the tuners, tailpiece and cover and even the often missing pickguard and bracket clamp. The exception is a replaced bridge, a 1920s Gibson style adjustable unit.
The one-piece mahogany neck is very solid; the fingerboard appears to have been refretted some time ago and these frets are in nicely playable shape, with a very comfortable action. This is an excellent playing and sounding mandocello with a forceful tone. It includes the original HSC, which if missing today is almost impossible to replace, and a custom case cover made to fit over it. Overall Very Good + Condition.
We feel the Gibson Mandocello is one of the great under-appreciated instruments of the early 20th century. Originally designed for use in 1910s-era mandolin orchestras, these imposing beasts never found a home in any other style of music despite being unique-sounding creations. Double-strung and tuned in fifths starting with the C below the low E on the guitar, the mandocello has an imposing tone and deep resonance unlike any other fretted instrument. OK, we're starting to sound like an old Gibson catalog here, but we really like these and are always happy to get one in stock!
This particular instrument is a fairly worn-in but really fine sounding Style K-1 from just before the dawn of the 1920s. This was the most basic of the three mandocello models Gibson offered but still a fairly expensive instrument when new. It is structurally the same as the fancier Model K-2 with a little less "geegaw" (decoration). The headstock face carries just a plain pearl "The Gibson" inlay while the openback strip tuners are tipped with unadorned ivoroid buttons.
The top finish is what Gibson called "Sheraton Brown", a thin varnish shade particular to the late teens/early twenties period. These "brown tops" may not be the prettiest of the 1910's Gibsons but are often among the best sounding. The sound hole decoration is two separate wood inlaid rings and a bound edge. The K-2 had fancier versions of these decorative touches, but the physical features (and sound) were the same for both with an oval body, bound carved spruce top with a flat oval soundhole and birch back. The necks on all models are mahogany, carved with a medium "V" profile topped with a bound and dot-inlaid ebony fingerboard.
This 1919 K-1 Mandocello dates to the end of the 1910s decade when these mandolin family instruments were about to fall from favor, and are less common than in the earlier 'teens examples. Up through the mid-'20s Gibsons were only available from licensed teacher-agents, and were usually purchased on a time payment plan along with lessons. As part of the deal, the students would often play in the teacher's fretted orchestra, and the low-tuned mandocello was crucial to achieving a full sound in these ensembles. Far fewer were sold compared to mandolins, however, making Gibson mandocellos from any era a comparative rarity.
With its 8 strings and "C" orchestral tuning the mandocello has a totally unique sound and makes an excellent recording instrument. While mandolin orchestras are rather thin on the ground in the 21st century these instruments can be employed for a wide range of playing styles, some still yet to be explored!
Overall length is 38 7/16 in. (97.6 cm.), 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm.) width, and 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 5/8 in. (625 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This over-105 year old K-1 shows a decent amount of general wear; If not cleanest we have had sonically it is a particularly fine example. The original top finish shows micro-checking and dings, scrapes and chips, with a LOT of noticeable wear all around the base of the bridge. The lower edge of the body has some old overfinish over the back and side rims where the seam has been resealed and one small split repaired on the rim just below the endblock. The neck finish is the original fairly thin varnish with some loss down to the wood along its length. There are dings, dents, scrapes on the headstock.
The back/side seams have been neatly re-glued in some spots, which it typical for these as the birch backs often have shrunken up over 100+ years. Apart from these and the one small rim crack the instrument has no other visible cracks or structural repairs. The hardware is mostly original including the tuners, tailpiece and cover and even the often missing pickguard and bracket clamp. The exception is a replaced bridge, a 1920s Gibson style adjustable unit.
The one-piece mahogany neck is very solid; the fingerboard appears to have been refretted some time ago and these frets are in nicely playable shape, with a very comfortable action. This is an excellent playing and sounding mandocello with a forceful tone. It includes the original HSC, which if missing today is almost impossible to replace, and a custom case cover made to fit over it. Overall Very Good + Condition.