1914 Gibson H-1 Mandola Demo and Mini-Lesson
Peghead Nation Irish Mandolin instructor Marla Fibish demonstrates her vintage mandola and talks about her preferred tuning and some of the techniques and chord voicings she uses.
Peghead Nation Irish Mandolin instructor Marla Fibish bought her 1914 Gibson H-1 mandola at the now defunct Fifth String music store in San Francisco more than 25 years ago. It was love at first sight, but applying it to the Irish music she plays required some experimentation. She eventually settled on a tuning of DGDA.
Gibson H-1s were built between 1902 and 1936. They are similar to the Gibson A-1 mandolin, with a slightly enlarged body and similar appointments. The instrument has a carved spruce top with an oval soundhole, and its back and sides are made from birch wood. Marla’s instrument has been refretted and the original tuning machines have been replaced, two modifications that are common for an instrument of this vintage. The mandola still had its pickguard when Marla bought it, but one of the mounting pins broke years ago, and she decided to play it without the pickguard.
Marla primarily uses the H-1 to accompany vocal tunes in various musical settings, including her duo with husband, Bruce Victor, Noctambule. While standard mandola tuning is CGDA, Marla tunes the lowest string pair up to D. In addition to talking about her history with this Gibson H-1 and how she settled on DGDA tuning, in this video Marla gives a primer on basic chord shapes and accompaniment techniques in DGDA tuning.
To study mandolin with Marla, enroll in her Irish Mandolin course now!
Related Vintage Vault Posts
 |
1923 Gibson F-5 MandolinJohn Reischman demonstrates a Lloyd Loar-signed F-5 that’s in nearly mint condition. Read More |
 |
1928 Gibson F-5 Master Model “Fern”A beautiful post–Lloyd Loar era F-5 mandolin. Read More |
 |
19th-Century German FiddlePeghead Nation Irish Fiddle instructor demonstrates his favorite instrument and his Christopher English bow. Read More |
 |
John Reischman’s 1924 Gibson F-5Mandolin virtuoso discusses and demonstrates his legendary Lloyd Loar mandolin in this Fretboard Journal video. Read More |
 |
1922 Gibson A MandolinMarla Fibish demonstrates the family heirloom that has become central to her musical voice. Read More |
 |
1949 Gibson L-5NPeghead Nation instructor Matt Munisteri demonstrates the guitar he uses in his new Western Swing Guitar course. Read More |
 |
1907 Vega Whyte Laydie # 7Peghead Nation instructor Bill Evans demonstrates an iconic vintage banjo. Read More |
 |
1931 Gibson RB-1Bill Evans demonstrates the vintage instrument known as the “Grace Attfield Banjo.” Read More |
 |
1893 Jerome Bonaparte Squier ViolinLaurie Lewis discusses her favorite fiddle. Read More |
 |
1927 Gibson Style 5 DeluxeBill Evans demonstrates a classic Gibson banjo. Read More |
