Built toward the end of Lloyd Loar’s tenure at Gibson, and adapting some of the changes he made to even their non-F5 mandolin lineup, this lovely old A4 is a prime example of the “snakehead” that has become a highly collectible part of this era of Gibson’s production, and for good reason: this is an open, full, and incredibly well put together part of mandolin history.

The biggest changes that give these mandolins the extra boost they’ve been given on the market are a skinnier nut, sitting at 1 1/16, the classic Loar width with a much more approachable neck profile than previous A’s, as well as an adjustable bridge, the same as on the F5s, and a smaller, more angled in headstock design that allowed for better tuning stability, as well as a general sense that more attention was being payed to consistency in production.

With a red spruce top, birch back and sides, and a mahogany neck, this A4 still retains the same materials as years previous, as well as a similar, “round” tone for lack of a better word, although this particular mandolin has the addition of a feature that permeated Gibson’s mandolin production at Loar’s insistence: the Virzi tone producer.

In incredible shape for its age, with very little wear overall, and the original pickguard and tuners.

Comes with the original hard shell case.