Gibson A-9 Mandolin

Very simple look--not all the slick inlays and gloss one sees on a lot of mandos. While this simpler design lowers the price, I actually count it as a feature. I really like the understated and folksy elegance of it. I really looks like a handmade instrument.

I played a LOT of different mandos, many costing a lot more, before I finally settled on this one. It has a very woody, open tone, suitable for lots of different stuff. I play a little of everything--Celtic, Bluegrass, Old-Time, Jazz, and even a little classical--and this is easily the most versatile mandolin I've ever played. The high notes are sweet and pretty but the chops really bark. The mids and lows are especially rich and woody, with a good punch. The highs still feel a bit tight, but I'm hopeful this will change as it breaks in.

I thought the action was a bit high and the intonation was a bit off, but these were easy enough to fix. As noted above, the finish is a no-fills matte finish. It's very nice in its quiet way, but nothing that jumps out at you.

It's a Gibson. Lifetime warranty.

Lifetime warranty.

I took up fiddle and mandolin 3 years ago, after a hiatus of about ten years. Before that, I was doing the Heavy Metal thing (also with Gibsons, of course--an SG and a Les Paul). I know what it's like when an instrument just clicks with me and feels right. I actually went way out of my way to get an A9, after searching around the whole Northeast and playing a lot of different mandolins. I found an A9 in MA that I really liked, but I thought I should rest on it for a week. The week later, the one I had tried was sold. When I panicked at the news, that's when I knew I had to find another one;-)

Mine is an 03 model made in USA. They started making them in 02 and the prototypes have dot fretboard markers while the regular production models have no markers at all.20 frets.Raised ebony fret board.Solid carved spruce top, tap tuned with tone bar bracing.Solid maple sides and back ,My back and sides are flamed ,although many came out plain the 1st few years , now all are flamed.Maple neck w/ adj. truss rod.No pickup. Satin vintage dark brown finish w/ black top body binding.Most are a lighter brown now to show off the flamed maple better.A style bodt w/ Loar style adj.ebony bridge.This one has upgraded Grover deluxe nickel tuners . I believe they originally came with nickel Schallers.Crome traditional tailpiece w/ The Gibson imprinted logo.Ebony covered headstock w/ old 20's style Gibson MOP inlaid logo.Came w/ original factory TKL a style case.Also came w/ pickguard installed.Standard model comes without any pickguard.This mando is made to be plain looking ,but the simple look really grows on you.

The sound is what this mando is all about. It sounds like a Gibson.I would say it is made for bluegrass but it is very versital and could be used for any style.You are not going to get this sound out of any pac-rim f-style mando. (Eastman,Kentucky, Morgan Monroe ,Michael Kelly ,etc.)They may look beautiful ,But if you are more interested in sound this is the mando for you.I have tried some older a style Gibsons and this one sounds better than all of them. It sounds similar to a Gibson F style mando.It is made from the exact same materials as a F style at the Gibson factory.They even take a f style top ,glue it to an a style body and trim off the excess.And they tap tune all the tops and braces.I have also installed an armrest (so the top will vibrate more freely) and a tone guard (so the back will vibrate more freely).I would definately recommend both of these for any mandolin.

The satin finish is thinner than the normal lacquer finish which makes it less durable but it's what gives it that great Gibson sound right from the begining.It will also continue to open up and sound better as it ages.I saw no flaws in either fit or finish.The action was right on as was intonation up and down the neck.

What can you say it's a Gibson.It's a solid rock.The satin finish is thin but tht gives the great sound.The only drawback is an asset.You can depend on it for many years to come.Finish may wear off prematurly , But have you ever seen old Mon,s Mando?

From all I've heard Gibson stands behind their products 100 %.The two top men at Gibson Mando dept. Charlie Derringer and Big Joe Vest are A#-1 Top Shelf Men.

I have out grown several mandolins.Mainly because of the sound factor. They were all beautiful pac-rim F- style mandos.I am glad I went through each one because of what I learned but if asked I would suggest to skip the pac rim F-styles and go straight to this Gibson A-9.I regularly see them for sale used for about $1000.If you can get over the sparce looks and the scroll envy ,this is the mando for you.It's all about the sound.In the future I may get a F-syle Gibson ( maybe a F-9 or a F-5G)but for now I am well satisfied and don't see outgrowing this mando for many years.I think I will keep it for life.