No plumage. No frills. No Nothing…except for amazing tone and rarity. Here we have a Gibson Army Navy Model guitar and Gibson A Junior Mandolin. Both of these models are from between 1918-1922. The Army Navy is the very first flat-top model that Gibson ever produced…and what a tone it produces! Notice, no glossy finish, no logo on the headstock, no fancy appointments, just everything else! This guitar has the most woody kind of tone I’ve ever heard. It’s got a great neck that makes you work a little bit but it’s worth it. This is “bottom-of-the-line” junk that kills.
The A Junior Mandolin is a great match tonally and visually with the Army Navy Guitar. I’m in love with the no-frills nature of both of these pieces. Both completely original and worth a hug. Spartan to the hilt!
I’ve had several hundred guitars and this is kind of where I’m happy to wind up. Sitting on the front steps playing music in the sun with a bag of fertilizer and terra-cotta pots.
Am I getting old? I was playing “Jealous Again” by Black Flag on that Army Navy! Bee-otch! AARP PUNK ROCK RULES! Thanks to Kerry Char Guitars (Portland, Oregon) and Chuck Alvarez (San Pedro, Ca) for getting me hooked up with both of these beauties. It ain’t so bad to be broke when you’re in love. Hi Jenny!
Guitar Safari 
Holy shit. Those are the shit. I’m about to shit my pants.
Literally, metaphorically, or figuratively? Should I call 911?
The understated rocks!
Dirk!
Nice find on the guitar and mando. Nothing feels better than a guitar that “grabs” you, not even a fistfull of dollars. Enjoy!
Howdy Curt. No big deal. It only took me about 12 years to get these two things together.
I’m trying to figure out what’s next! Thanks!
P.S. T-SHIRTS ARE ON THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just got an old Army/ Navy guitar. Hope to make a replica bridge to complete the restoration, Care to send me some close ups of the bridge, maybe some dimensions?
America made some of the best guitars in the world,then about 30 years ago They started making them in Japan,
then that got to expense,They made some great stuff Hay lets go to Mexico we’ll get them cheaper.about 10 later I think we can get them even cheaper in Korea.Well right now most of the guitar manufacturing is being shifted to China, I could not believe the Hamer XT Guitar how it sounded and felt when I picked it .I just had to be a rep, for this company .Check them out a