Lyon & Healy Style A Professional Model Carved Top Mandolin, c. 1921, made in Chicago, serial # 1559, natural top, dark stained back and sides finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, period black hard shell case.
This mandolin has the mythical, almost legendary, black-capped metal extension on the treble side. Amaze your friends. Astound your dates. The interior label is quite readable and propagates these claims and propaganda, namely “Made and Guaranteed by Lyon & Healy. World’s Largest Music House. Chicago, U.S.A.
These elaborate and beautifully made mandolins were the only really serious competition Gibson ever faced in the high-end carved top 8-string market. Lyon & Healy launched this line in a blaze of publicity in the late 1910's and they were built (both under that brand and subsequently 'Washburn') well into the depression years. Using the finest materials and a thoroughly original design Lyon & Healy created a timeless classic in the Style A. The violin scroll headstock is immediately distinctive, but the 2-point body, shaped pickguard, pull-out leg rest and clamp tailpiece cover are all signature features.
![Healy Healy](/uploads/1/2/5/4/125499222/462445432.jpg)
The sound of these instruments is more delicate and lighter than most Gibsons, with a nicely rounded top end and less 'bark'. They have been considered since the 1920's to be the best instruments ever made for classical mandolin playing, but have not been much known or used by old-time or country musicians. We are always impressed by both the sound and craftsmanship of the Lyon & Healy mandolins, and Style A-the top of the line model -is an extremely fine instrument worthy of any player's or collector's attention.Overall length is 25 in. (63.5 cm.), 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm.) width, and 1 13/16 in. (4.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 in.
Width of nut is 1 1/16 in. This mandolin is an excellent player and fairly clean overall, but does have some old restoration work visible. The headstock has a noticeable repair on the rear just below the tuning pegs, completely solid but noticeable, with fairly light touch up. The screw-on headplate shows a couple of repaired cracks as well. There is some fairly noticeable pickwear to the top by the bass side of the fingerboard, and some lesser marks by the treble side below the pickguard-the rest of the top is fairly clean except for a couple of random dngs. It has been expertly refretted with the correct style wire; the bridge is a later adjustable unit and the tailpiece is correct but the decorative cover is missing. Set up in the preferred classical style with low tension Thomastik strings, very good action and sound-an excellent player's example of what is considered by many the finest mandolin of its type ever built.
Very Good + Condition. Product Specs Condition: Brand: Model: Finish: Year. Refunds Buyer receives a full refund in their original payment method less any shipping costs. Special Conditions If you decide not to keep an instrument shipped to you, notify us by telephone, fax or email within 48 hours of receiving it. We'll take note to expect the return.
Please ship it in the same carton via UPS, insured for its full value. We will refund the price of the instrument as soon as we receive it, provided it arrives in the condition in which it left the shop. The customer is responsible for all shipping charges.