(Used) 1920 Gibson A Spruce/Birch Oval-Hole Teardrop A-Style Mandolin #9066

Stepping directly out of the golden era of American lutherie, this 1920 Gibson A-style mandolin is an incredible testament to the timeless construction techniques of Orville Gibson's historic Kalamazoo, Michigan workshop. Featuring the classic teardrop body shape and a vibrant oval soundhole, this century-old instrument delivers the unmistakable architectural elegance and organic resonance that defined the early 20th-century mandolin boom. A true survivor of the vintage era, this piece has been structurally preserved for the modern player, having had its back expertly re-attached and a professional refret completed in 2011 to ensure it remains a completely stable, stage-ready performance tool.

Sonically, the combination of a hand-carved solid spruce top paired with a solid birch back and sides yields a deeply mature, dry, and wood-soaked character that only a hundred years of natural aging can produce. The oval-hole configuration provides a remarkably warm, round bass response and a sweet, singing midrange sustain that contrasts beautifully with the sharp bark of later f-hole designs. This unique tonal footprint makes it an exceptional choice for old-time music, Celtic melodies, classical arrangements, or rich vocal accompaniment, offering a broad, room-filling projection that cuts through an acoustic ensemble with effortless clarity.

The mahogany neck features the robust, substantial hand-feel characteristic of the period, giving the left hand a solid, fatigue-free anchor point for complex chord shapes and rapid lead lines. The freshly refretted fingerboard offers pristine playability up and down the neck, allowing for buzz-free single-note runs and clean intonation across all registers. Complete with its classic original hardware, including the iconic engraved tailpiece cover and vintage tuning machines, this Gibson A-style stands as both an investment-grade piece of American musical history and a ruggedly reliable player's companion that is ready for its next century of song.

SPECS
Body Shape: A-Style
Top: Solid Spruce
Back and Sides: Solid Birch
Neck: Mahogany
Neck Profile: NEEDS VERIFICATION
Fingerboard: Ebony
Bracing: Transverse Tone Bar
Bridge: Original Fixed Ebony
Tuners: Original 4-on-a-plate open gear
Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Nut Material and Width: Bone, NEEDS VERIFICATION
Scale Length: 13-7/8"

Notice: This is a used item. While we do a basic cleaning and setup before shipping, we are unable to make any modifications to, or guarantees of condition, and or history, outside of what we have personally found, or been informed of by the original owner, which will be included in the description.