Mandolin
Maker
Gibson, Inc.
Date1964 or 1968
Place MadeKalamazoo, Michigan, United States, North America
ModelA-40N
Serial No.507973; 21 302 (factory order number)
SignedSilk-screened in gold paint on head: GibsonStamped on tailpiece: Gibson
MarkingsStamped on back of head, under lacquer: 507973
Rubber stamped in black ink on inside of back under bass soundhole: 21 302
DescriptionStringing: eight steel strings
Soundboard: arched, one-piece, quarter-cut spruce: medium grain
Back: arched, one-piece, three-ply mahogany plywood
Ribs: two-piece, three-ply mahogany plywood; ivory plastic strap button mounted to upper bass side
Head: mahogany with black-painted front; separate mahogany wings on each side of head; bell-shaped black celluloid truss rod cover secured to face with two nickel-plated steel domed Philips’ head screws
Neck: mahogany; integral with head
Heel cap: none
Binding: ivory celluloid on top
Fretboard: rosewood; 20 nickel-silver frets; single pearloid dots behind 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th and 15th frets; double pearloid dots behind 12th fret
Nut: bone
Bridge: rosewood with brass adjusters; compensated
Tailpiece: nickel-plated stamped sheet steel with decoratively cut upper edge; secured to lower rib with three nickel-plated steel Philips’ screws; “Gibson” stamped in cursive lettering
Tuners: two pairs of Kluson Deluxe nickel-plated steel, covered worm-gear tuners with ivory plastic heads
Endpin: ivory plastic with nickel-plated steel domed Philips’ head screw through center
F-holes: no finish on inside edges
Pick guard: imitation-tortoise shell celluloid mounted with chrome-plated steel bracket and three Philips’ head screws
Lacquer: golden
Linings: kerfed dark mahogany
Neck block: mahogany; concave
End block: mahogany; shallow, rounded edges
Top bracing: two spruce longitudinal braces
Grafts: none
DimensionsTotal mandolin length: 658 mm (25-29/32″)
Back length: 343 mm (13-1/2″)
Upper bout width: 52 mm (2-1/16″)
Waist width: 63 mm (2-15/32″)
Lower bout width: 258 mm (10-5/32″)
Rib height (including edging) at heel: 47 mm (1-27/32″)
Rib height, at waist: 47 mm (1-27/32″)
Rib height, at endpin: 47 mm (1-27/32″)
Head length: 167 mm (6-9/16″)
Head width, top: 73 mm (2-7/8″)
Head width, bottom: 62 mm (2-7/16″)
Neck length (nut to ribs): 159 mm (6-1/4″)
Neck width, nut: 30 mm (1-3/16″)
Neck width, heel: 38 mm (1-1/2″)
Soundhole length: 117 mm (1-5/8″)
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): E: 350 mm (13-25/32″); G: 353 mm (13-29/32″)
ProvenancePreviously owned by the family Cramer, Shinnston, West Virginia.
Credit LineGift of Patty Looman, 2010
Object number14494
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