1925 Gibson A

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1925 Gibson A

Among the most perfectly preserved Gibson A models we’ve encountered, this exceptional and gorgeous Snakehead Gibson A has got pretty much everything going for it. Tone, looks, originality, condition, and playability all score top marks. It’s loud and percussive with plenty of punch and cut, and it has a surprising amount of bass-end presence too. It’s 100% original, down to the endpin and the pickguard mounting screw, and it plays beautifully with level frets and a perfect neck angle. It’s a rare find.

The Snakehead headstock is loosely associated with the Loar-era at Gibson, and specifically with the A2Z model that was built in 1923 and 1924 during the Loar years. The first Snakeheads appear in 1922 and the last shortly after this particular instrument was stamped in 1925.

Gibson A-series mandolin specifications were quite erratic through the 1920s but mostly involved differences in trim and finish. The A2Z was a blond instrument at a time when most A’s were finished in dark lacquer, and it featured extra bindings and purflings as compared to the A. But bindings don’t have much effect on tone, and a great Snakehead sounds great for a number of reasons.

A modernized version of Gibson’s oval hole A, the Snakeheads feature maple back and sides, adjustable bridges and truss-rods in the necks. They are significantly more adjustable than their predecessors and have a more modern neck feel and a more powerful tone.

In near-perfect condition, this instrument’s only flaw is a repaired ½” cross-grain crack at the bend in the bass-side. It’s otherwise without cracks or issues, has a perfect top arch, excellent neck angle, original nut, bridge, tuners, tailpiece, frets, pickguard, endpin, and finish. The frets show wear in the first position and play cleanly. Set-up was done here at Folkway, with action set to 3-4 64ths and 11-40 strings.

With original case
1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A
  • 1925 Gibson A

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Folkway Music in Guelph, Ontario Canada

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