
P stands for Piccolo mandolin. As if you need an even higher-tuned stringed instrument than a mandolin. Seriously though, the tradition of pocket mandolins or piccolo mandolins goes back aways . Besides numerous traditional bowlback designs, Gibson built one experimental A-style 3-course instrument. That instrument inspired the great mandolin builder Steve Gilchrist to build a Style 5, scroll body 4-course mandolin meant to be tuned an octave above mandola. That instrument was pictured in the Carter/Gruhn book “Guitars and other Fretted Instruments”. That’s where I first became aware of them and I always thought if I had the chance I’d try & build one. The smaller instrument pictured is my second P5 piccolo mandolin. Wiens P5 #39