Description
Exc- Condition / SN: 373
1-1/16″ Width at Nut
This 1987 R.L. Givens A-6 mandolin was hand built by Bob Givens at his Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho shop. This model, the A-6, is possibly his most famous mandolin. Beginning in 1986 or so, Bob Givens designed the A-6 to be his top of the line “A” mandolin. At this same time Bob had refined his graduations and voicings to produce what is arguably counted among the finest tones available in a mandolin. These A-6 models, as well as the lower priced A-5, A-4 and A-3 that he made, are highly sought even thirty years after his death.
Givens mandolins were traditionally hand-built from figured Maple, for the back, sides, and neck, and highest grades of the local Engelmann Spruce, which Bob and his family made a business out of harvesting and selling.
The Snakehead peghead is quite handsome, with ivoroid multiple binding around the top edge, and an elaborate hand-inlaid, hand-engraved pearl and abalone Torch. The center of this torch has inlay blocks with “R.L. Givens”. The Maple neck is in great shape with no wear or dings in the modified Vee profile. Gold Schaller tuners with pearloid buttons. Bone nut.
The Gabon Ebony fingerboard is radiused and has been milled to affect the complex pearl dot inlays. EVO frets have been recently installed. Fingerboard has multiple ivoroid binding, with dark dot position markers in the bass side.
Original hand-made Ebony 2-pc adjustable bridge and original 2-pc gold tailpiece (with gold mostly worn off the cover).
