This wonderful Gibson A1 mandolin appears to be in largely original condition, and includes both the original celluloid faux-tortoise pickguard and the original hard shell case. The top is Sitka Spruce with a bound, oval sound hole, the back and sides are Maple, with Mahogany for the neck. The fingerboard and bridge are Ebony. The tuners and tailpiece are original. The top, fingerboard, and sound hole have a single layer of binding.
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The Gibson SJ-200 has been in continuous production since 1938, with a hiatus during the WW2 years 1944 to 1946. Renamed the J-200 in 1955, it is one of Gibson’s most recognisable and popular designs. It appears on many recordings and stages. Though it’s often associated with Country and Western, it is the acoustic used on both The Who’s Pinball Wizard and all the acoustic parts on the first Led Zeppelin album.
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Today we’re looking at one of the seminal resophonic guitars, a National Style 0 in ‘Etched Silver’ finish dating to around 1930. The Resophonic design dates to 1927 as a successful effort in increasing volume. While tri-cone models were the first, the single cone Style 0 offered more volume and lower production costs, though the harmonic content is not as rich as the tri-cone. In general, single cone models provide a sharp attack and quick decay, somewhat like a banjo, while tri-cones deliver a smoother rise and more sustain.
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First appearing in 1926, the Gibson L-0 uses a curvaceous, smaller 13.4 inch wide body. Initially made with Spruce top and Birch back and sides, in 1928 it became all Mahogany until 1933, when production ended. They were built again from 1937 to 1942, but with Spruce for the top again and Mahogany back, sides and neck. On all of them, the fingerboards are Rosewood, which at the time meant Brazilian Rosewood.
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Sometimes a guitar can surprise you. I picked up this Martin J-40 having handled a number of 000 guitars recently, and was taken aback by its depth and power. It sounds fantastic! Though the J body is not a lot bigger than a triple-0, it has a remarkably full bottom end and midrange presence delivered without hesitation.
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