Description
Built in Montana, this fine 1995 Gibson Army Navy Custom teardrop mandolin is very clean and original and sounds very good. There must’ve been only a handful of these produced because I was a Gibson and Flatiron dealer at that time and never heard of these being produced. This mandolin is a tilt toward the flat mandolins and short scale guitars that Gibson produced during WW I, for soldiers to requisition to win hearts and minds of people they might meet after landing in Europe.
Teardrop shaped flat top and back with round hole. Traditional highly figured Maple back, sides and neck with Spruce top and Ebony fingerboard and bridge. Gold Hardware, including Schaller Tuners and Gold 2-pc tailpiece with The Gibson logo engraved into the cover. Beautiful “Iced Tea” sunburst finish.
This mandolin is nicely appointed and looks stunningly good. There are very minor lacquer chips along the peghead edge and slight bit along sides of fingerboard (see photos). The Ebony peghead overlay has The Gibson script Pearl logo inlay at top and a wreath-like flourish in center. Truss-rod access just above the pearl nut. Gabon Ebony flat fingerboard has pearl dot inlays and large dark position markers in the side of cream binding. Gold Schaller tuners. Gold two-pc tailpiece with cover engraved with The Gibson.
The neck profile is a well-rounded “V”. Back of neck is highly figured Maple.
The teardrop body shows of a beautiful sienna sunburst top with light brown back. The round soundhole rosette is a wide Abalone purfling ring. Original Ebony bridge. Cream bindings around top and back edge, with multiple purfling strips seen from the top and back. The chevron book matched back is beautiful with a light brown finish color.
The sound is quick and big – better than you think would come from a flat mandolin.
This is definitely one that helps complete a Gibson mandolin collection.
Comes with a good case.
