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The birch sides and back were stained red.
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The grade of top wood was tighter grained. It was bound on the top, back, sides and around the fretboard. Similar to an A2 except for the top color: an orange top in the teens, and a white top (refrigerator- top) in the late teens and early twenties.Ī flourish inlay under “The Gibson” in the headstock. A2- Zs were theoretically made during the Loar period of 1. Zs with black tops, though this was probably used to cover some imperfection in the selected tops. 3 it appears that Gibson began to assemble A- 2s with left- over blonde tops from A- 3s. A- 3’s had refrigerator white tops with a black perfling line, adjustable truss rods and adjustable bridges. ZSimilar to A- 2 but with snakehead headstock, blonde finish, b/w binding, and A2- Z on the label. There was a line of black inlay (or ebony layer) along the centerline of the back of the neck. The headstock face was veneered in black.
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It had a double ring of purfling around the soundhole, pearl dots on the fretboard, dark stained birch back and sides and “The Gibson” stamped on tailpiece cover. It had binding on front, back, soundhole and the fretboard “The Gibson” inlaid into the headstock and a better grade of spruce top. It was available with a brown finish and came as a snakehead or paddle headstock.Ī (also known as the A- 0)Brown or black finish, some binding only on the top and in the soundhole with one ring around the soundhole. In general, higher model numbers meant more binding and ornament. Identifying Vintage Guitars, Banjos & Mandolins. HVAC equipment can be determined from the serial number. Call today for current demos, closeouts & specials!
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