There are a few examples of A-2Zs with black tops, though this was probably used to cover some imperfection in the selected tops. In 1923 it appears that Gibson began to assemble A-2s with left-over blonde tops from A-3s. A-3’s had refrigerator white tops with a black perfling line, adjustable truss rods and adjustable bridges. Similar to A-2 but with snakehead headstock, blonde finish, b/w binding, and A2-Z on the label. There was a line of black inlay (or ebony layer) along the centerline of the back of the neck. The headstock face was veneered in black. It had a double ring of purfling around the soundhole, pearl dots on the fretboard, dark stained birch back and sides and “The Gibson” stamped on tailpiece cover. It had binding on front, back, soundhole and the fretboard “The Gibson” inlaid into the headstock and a better grade of spruce top. This was available in brown, black or blonde finish. “The Gibson” stamped on tailpiece cover and inlaid in headstock. Similar to A, but with double purfling on the soundhole. A (also known as the A-0)īrown or black finish, some binding only on the top and in the soundhole with one ring around the soundhole. It was available with a brown finish and came as a snakehead or paddle headstock.
In general, higher model numbers meant more binding and ornament.
