Snakehead A-4 model mandolins don't turn up often, partly because Gibson was slow to offer their highest A model with the slimmer neck and reverse-tapered headstock found on lower mandolin models built with Lloyd Loar's improvements. This example bears a 8932 FON (listed in Spann's Guide), and both that and the serial number point to 1928. All the Loar-era features are here, including maple back & sides instead of birch, narrow neck, and the distinctive headstock. If you think an oval soundhole A model Gibson lacks the power needed for bluegrass mandolin style, this one may change your mind. Of course it doesn't have that f soundhole chord chop, but it certainly has plenty of volume and is perhaps one of the loudest Gibson A models we can remember.
This mandolin was part of the late Frank Ford's small collection, and since mandolin was his primary instrument we're guessing its tone and volume was why he kept it. Frank certainly had lots of Gibson mandolins to choose from over the years!
