My playin' for contra dances has lead me to to play a little melody as well...

Here are the mandolins that I've succumb to

This is the one that got away... 1913, Gibson A-1 Mandolin sn. 14161,

this one had a great feel with a round warm tone and that chunkie V-neck, mmmmmm.

 

 

seventies, Martin Sigma A-style...

this was the inexpensive replacement for the Gibson A-1

and actually not a bad instrument, solid spruce top and mahogany body...

I found the neck just too narrow and thin.

1924 Gibson A'Snakehead", sn. 77785 this was quite a find over the internet...

which I eventually sold via Elderly for a new Breedlove Olympicand change.

I knew that this thin-necked Gibson wasn't for me but I did get the mandolin I wanted.

So there went this Gibson and I got the Breedlove.

I sold the Olympic in the summer of '06,

but that's another story that follows...