Gibson EM-200 Florentine Cut Electric Mandolin 1955, Sunburst

Gibson’s solidbody electric mandolin introduced in 1954 at the height of their electric-instrument renaissance. It has a carved and bound top, sunburst finish, and solid mahogany body, the Florentine Electric Mandolin clearly echoes the aesthetics of a Les Paul, and a compact 4-pole P-90–style pickup. Although these early EM-200s weren’t given serial numbers, the features on this one place it around 1955. Its electronics remain original, along with the single-line Kluson Deluxe tuners. This example is exceptionally clean and complete, right down to the original Lifton case.