1917 Gibson H-1 Mandola

Gibson Mandolas go all the way back to 1902, when the H-1 Mandola was released. Until 1936, the H-1 was Gibson's primary Mandola offering, and through 1918, it matched the same features as the A-1 mandolin but adjusted for the Mandola tuning.  The neck block on this H-1 is stamped with Factory Order Number 11091, which dates to 1917. It features Gibson's classic A-Style body shape with a 15-3/4" scale length and a black top finish. Tuned to the viola register—C, G, D, A—the mandola opens up a deeper, richer, and more resonant sound, but it is still played with the string theory and vocabulary of the mandolin. At one time, mandolin orchestras were relatively common— some included mandolins, mandolas, octaves, mandocellos, and even mandolin basses—but nowadays, these sweet-sounding prewar relics can find a lot of use in the studio, and their rich timbre provides great inspiration for songwriters, too.  Nearly 110 years old, this 1917 Gibson H-1 finds us in excellent, playable condition w