1919 Gibson Mandocello Sheraton Brown with Original Case

Summary: This vintage Gibson K-1 Mandocello is in great shape for its age although it does have an old headstock repair. The repair was executed professionally and has held up beautifully over the years. It is playing and sounding great and ships in its original hard-shell case which is also in great shape.

Body: Large A style mandolin shape, 14 1/2” wide and 3 ½” deep, spruce top, maple back and sides with
Sheraton brown finish.

Neck: Mahogany neck with a thick V profile, bound flat ebony fingerboard pearl dots and bone nut. 1.6” nut width and 25” scale length.

Hardware: Original tuners with ivoroid buttons, bone nut, original tailpiece and ebony bridge.

Cosmetics: The most notable thing is the old headstock repair which runs the whole length of the headstock and tapers off by the 3rd/4th fret. It was done very professionally and is holding stable. Some of the finish is worn off the back of the neck and there are 2 notable dings in the neck. There are some light scuffs around the neck and body and the typical dings and dents one would expect to find on an instrument over 100 years old but no cracks in the body or top and no evidence whatsoever of a neck reset. There is a small hole drilled through the bridge and the pin that held the pickguard in place at the bottom edge of the fingerboard.

Playability: This vintage Mandocello plays and sounds wonderfully with a rich booming baritone voice and crisp attack. The original frets are in great shape with close to zero wear on them. The neck is nice and even with a bit of relief. The notes ring true up the fingerboard until about the 11th fret where it starts buzzing. The action is pretty low as it is now so if you raise it that buzz will likely disappear.

Modifications: Headstock repair and the pickguard is missing. Part of the mounting bracket is still in the case.

Weight: 3 lbs, 12 oz.

Case: This Gibson ships with the original hard-shell case & we will ship it professionally packed and fully insured!