From: bogul@nospambog.net   
      
   White tops were part of the original A3 offering. You may have one and if   
   you can validate it as original then your mandolins value would increase.   
      
   I've never played an A3, but have played and worked on a 1916 A1. They   
   are very nice.   
      
   Best of luch.   
      
   Art Edelstein  wrote in   
   news:ohfuk2lc1a5sh09hp82jpcmi13b6enm9nn@4ax.com:   
      
   > I've got an A3 FS.   
   >   
   > Gibson A3 Mandolin: The label is obliterated so I can't tell the   
   > serial number but these instruments were not made after 1923. This   
   > particular mandolin has some problems. There are four potential cracks   
   > on the e string side, not opened but should be looked at. The top was   
   > probably not originally white and has been redone white. Some of the   
   > binding is not original. It could use refretting. The tuners and   
   > string holder are not original. The original pick guard will be   
   > included. The case is not original. The tuners could, in a full   
   > restoration, be reinstalled.   
   > While this A3 is not pristine, it sounds great, with a clear and warm   
   > and woody tone, and it is very playable in its present condition. I   
   > play Irish music on it and it records beautifully. So why sell it?   I   
   > have bought a newer Rigel and can't afford two mandolins.   I will   
   > part with this wonderful A3 mandolin for $1000, which is way below   
   > value, even in its present condition.   
   >   
   >   
   > Art   
   >   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)