Gibson F-4 "Pumpkin Top" (ca. 1912)

Gibson's top of the line mandolin from the period, gorgeous F-4 built in 1912 with rarely seen natural/blonde/pumpkin top finish in its original hard shell case in spectacular original condition; warm tonality, with surprising chop/treble. The F style body is fully bound with a natural/blonde finished spruce top with gorgeous flamed maple back/sides, oval soundhole with ivoroid and herringbone rosette; equipped with factory Patent pickguard/clasp, original tailpiece with engraved cover, with non adjustable compensated ebony bridge residing in case (outfitted with a later adjustable type); a bit of binding shrinkage present, with finish crazing, light surface wear, with two hairline/sealed cracks near the point/beneath scroll parallel to fingerboard extension. The three piece maple neck has a V profile, 13-7/8" scale fully bound extended fingerboard with thin original frets (very light pitting present on treble strings in low positions), original pearl nut with 1-3/16" width, gorgeous inlaid pearlwork on peghead (The Gibson, double flower pot), with original plate tuners w/ Handel buttons; some finish wear on back of neck from playing, a few dings on top of peghead, with checking/crazing present on backstrap/overlay; extremely light forward relief for easy playability, only a little fall off on extension. Included in sale is original hard case.