F5G- F9 sound comparison

[freddyu]

I am presently trying to decide between the F5g and F9. OTHER than cosmetic differences what is the difference in sound and if one is superior to the other what in construction makes it that way. Is the F5g worth the extra money based solely on tone and playability? I know each instrument is different, but am looking for a general opinion on this. Thanks.

[ronlane3]

I may be biased, but I think that my F-9 sounds just as good as any of the new F5-G's that are out. Or atleast as good as the F5-G's that I've been around, except one, a Boseman, MT that a friend of mine owns. (I tried to buy it from him)

Hey Big Joe or Charlie, is Jake H. still working there?

[mandoJeremy]

Hi freddyu, I have been able to tell a difference in the G and 9. I guess it is only because better wood is used in the G. If you really want a G, and the best two G's I have played, then contact BigJoe at Gibson because those guys have two in the store right now that I preferred over several signature models hanging on the same wall. But, they do have the wider neck like the Sam Bush model (which I own and love) but the wider neck does change the sound and it is the cheapest way to get a Bush model without paying what a Bush model costs. They also have the block inlay on the neck. But, if you don't think you would like the wider neck then these two aren't for you but they are definitely great.

[WireBoy]

Hey MandoJeremy,
#is the wider neck typical of an F5G? #or are these custom boxes that the factory store has done up. #What was the cost of those F5Gs and the Bush?
#I wish the Gibson www site would list the neck width spec on their models. #Sure they may be customizible, but at least show us the base level standard. There always seems to be a bit of a mystery about it.

[mmukav]

I wish Gibson would add more in general to their site. More info on the mandos, specs, history, lore, available custom options, pictures, what's available now, etc., etc..

[tiltman]

Amen to the mystery on the neck width.
I posted a question about this on the looking for info. section but it seems to be hard to find out the standards.
check that post if you're really interested - I would provide a link but I'm not that computer savvy.
Kirk

[mandoJeremy]

WireBoy, the wider neck is not typical of the F-5G and those two were specially made at the Gibson shop. I guess Charlie just had a day where he thought, "Put those two wide Bush necks on those two F-5G's!". You would need to contact BigJoe to see what he could do for you pricewise. Regardless of price, they did kick butt in sound and looks!

[BigJoe]

The F9 will have a drier, woodier sound as opposed to the sweeter mellow sound of the F5G. Each are made from the same woods, though the G's generally have a very nice back. They are incredible instruments. The general construction is the same.

Those two Custom F5G's are available (we may have sold one...I'm not sure) and have a Bush neck in them with a wide fingerboard with block inlay. They are not radiused boards, just wider. They are cool and sound killer. You can pm me or e-mail me at work jvest@gibson.com for more information.

Our website is not run by us, but by someone in the corporate office. They do not have the information you would like to see and at the moment it is not a high enough priority for them. Someday we will have our own web-site and then can put whatever we want on there. Time is the big issue. Thank you for asking though.

[freddyu]

Big Joe- Thanks for the input. One more question if I might, as I want to be as informed as possible before shelling out the bucks! Pardon my ignorance on this stuff. If wood and construction are the same, what makes the F5G more mellow and the F9 drier and woodier? Is it the difference in finish, ie satin and lacquer?

[Big Joe]

As Fonzie would say, "exactamundo". The finish is the real variable. Of course, it does not have as much pearl or binding as the G but otherwise essentially the same. The finish is the issue. The Fern and the Benson are essentially the same mandolin with the only real difference outside of a couple appearance things is the finish. It has a drier woodier tone than the Fern, but the Fern has a sweeter sound. We did a one of a kind glossy finish Benson and the sound was exactly the same as the Fern. In building a product, so many factors can affect the final sound. You would be happy with any of them, but they each have their own voice withing that "Gibson" sound. Thank you for your questions.