New Gibson F5G for $3300-$3500

[fishdawg40]

Just curious if you guys thought this was a good price ($3300-$3500) and worth an unplayed/unseen buy?

Second, is there anything I could get for that price that is "better" (for lack of a better word) or equivalent new/used?#

I'm sure I will get varied responses. It seems like a good deal when it is all said and done though. #

Thanks.

ps I'm dying for a new mando so push the responses in that direction #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[jim simpson]

It seems good to me, I thought they listed a lot higher. I bught mine used at $2900 a few years back.

[Markelberry]

I have looked at several used usely priced around 3200 to 3500 Markelberry

[jjboone101]

I picked one up for $2500 about two years ago. Great, great mandolin. They do need to be played a lot to open up.

[F5G WIZ]

List for 5100.00 new. That is a great price and if it is set up correctly it will sound awsome.

[fishdawg40]

Thanks guys for the encouraging words.


(F5G WIZ @ May 26 2006, 20:31) That is a great price and if it is set up correctly it will sound awsome.

What exactly entails a "good" setup? #I imagine I could have this done after I make the purchase, correct? #Thanks F5G Wiz.

How long till they open up?

I'm about a month into my new F5-G. It's a great mandolin.

[carleshicks]

Today at eldely I played a new Tope with a Red Spruce top for $2900. It sounded excelent, the fit and finish where very good and the maple was very well figured. The only compaint i hd was it looked very plain but i would have to say it was the best sounding mandolin at elderley under $8000

[Cullowheekid]

Hello,That sounds like a good price for a new F5G.I would be leary of buying anything I had'nt played first.At the very least I would listen to it over the phone and maybe you could get some idea of the tone.I bought a Carlson signed F5G from the classifieds for 2500.00 here six months ago.I drove two hours to play it.I love it.Some of the F5G's sound as good as anything Gibson is building in my opinion.I saw a used Nashville built F5G listed here for 1900.00 a few months back.It did'nt last a day.Just try to be patient and get the one that sounds great to you.Eric

[fishdawg40]

Just try to be patient and get the one that sounds great to you.Eric
Thanks for the insight (everyone for that matter). #It is just difficult to find a music store with fine instruments. #I played a Weber Yellowstone last week, it was a hour drive from Orlando. #How does the F5G's sound compare with the Yellowstone's? #I was slightly dissapointed with the sound, but the longer I played the more I was getting into it (also the neck was too think for my liking). #I don't think there is a Gibson mandolin in the state of Florida http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif Can anyone tell me different?

If I can't get my hands on one I will try to listen to it over the phone.

edit: How does the F5G hold up used? Does it retain a lot of value, less or more than other smaller luthiers? Thanks again.
Thanks.

...I bought a Carlson signed F5G from the classifieds for 2500.00 here six months ago....
I don't want to hijack the thread but that just caught my eye. I have an F5-G that I bought a month ago. It has the Gibson Master model label with the serial number but no label with a signature. I assumed they didn't sign the F5-G's. Does anyone know when they stopped putting that label in, or have I got a unique one-of-a-kind instrument that is not unlike the airmail stamp with the upside down airplane?

[Cullowheekid]

Hello,Occasionally you'll see a F5G with the extra label signed by the shop foreman.It's not common and I don't know why a few have the signed label and some don't.I don't think it means that particular instrument sounds any better than one without the extra label.I've heard the "hype" that Calson signed instruments usually sound good,and thats one thing that peaked my interest in that particular mandolin,but I still wouldn't have bought it if it didn't sound good to me.Maybe someone from Gibson would know about the extra label. I'm a little curious myself.Thanks.Eric

I bought mine because it sounded better than the rest of the Gibsons in the same shop (and that included several that were well beyond my price range). I'm curiouse about the label as well.