Gibson A style Mandolin , structural question.

[Len Biglin]

Hi everyone , I have a Gibson A style Mandolin in for a quick setup / evaluation . It is in good shape but needed a higher saddle and lower nut . My question is about the hardwood blocks which butt up to the soundboard at the 12th fret . On the bass side the block is not fitting well into the curve of the body / neck block . I seem to recall that this is not an issue but I dont know where I heard this , Any comments please ? The serial number is 11121 and seems to date to 1911 . Any idea of a rough value ? Client is considering buying it .Thanks

[jbbancroft]

Appears to be shrinkage or something unglued in the area of the block. Maybe needs repair, maybe not, without a in hand inspection, I don't know.

Rough value of the mandolin in that condition would be from $700.00 to $950.00.

Jim

[Len Biglin]

Thanks Jim , she appears to have had a reset in the past as the glue joint around heel is not as neat as factory standard .

[Ned Knepp]

Len, that kind of makes me wonder if they got the neck aligned correctly when they did the reset. 

[Len Biglin]

Well , the neck seems fine but the block on one side at 12th is not aligned with the side , as per photo .

[jbbancroft]

I'm thinking maybe you could remove the block, add some material where it meets with the neck, to make it look better. That might give some access to see if everything is glued solid, too, or if anything else maybe has caused this.

Jim

[Paul Breen]

Have you given it a digital exam? Those old Gibson A mando's have one sideways brace just South of the sound hole, they are often loose from the top on one end or sometimes fallen out and missing. Stick your finger in the sound hole and check this.

[Len Biglin]

I gave it a setup and customer has taken it , it will probly return after she buys it .Thanks guys .