NMM 6085.  Mando-cello by Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Company, Kalamazoo, 1914. Style K-2.  Serial number 17984. Ex colls.:  Neal Penner, Enid, Oklahoma; Pete Wagener, Savage, Minnesota; Curtis Teague and Loretta Simonet, Minneapolis. Board of Trustees, 1997. The mando-cello is a baritone mandolin with the same tuning as a violoncello and was created to fill out the range of the mandolin orchestras that were popular early in the twentieth century. The Style K-2 was one of the initial models offered by the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Company, when it was formed in 1902. The Style K-2 had the same design and features as the top-of-the-line, pear-shaped Style A-4 mandolin and Style H-2 mandola. It was discontinued in 1922, as the popularity of mandolin orchestras began to fade and players switched to banjos and guitars. Front, Back, and Side Views Front and Back of Body Views of Fretboard and Peghead Neck Heel Tailpiece and Soundhole Click on soundhole image above to see image of label Pickguard and Pickguard Support Note July 4, 1911 Patent Date Bridge and Lower End of Mando-Cello Return to Gibson Mandolin Checklist National Music Museum The University of South Dakota 414 East Clark Street Vermillion, SD 57069 ©National Music Museum, 2005 Most recent update: October 23, 2007 You are the 4,184th visitor to this page since December 19, 2005 The University of South Dakota Return to Top of Page