Gibson Builders through time

[Scott Crabtree]

I am learning about all of these great mandolins, and was wondering what some of the noted builders through out Gibson history. I have heard that Gibson mandolins in the 70's are not that great...should I steer clear from that period, or were there some gems among them? I was just wondering who the standout builders were? Loar, etc...:popcorn:

[John Kasley]

Prior to the relatively recent reintroduction of the F5 Master Model, Gibson builders are pretty anonymous, with the notable exception of Lloyd Loar. It was a factory after all, and in the teens it was pumping out mandolins at pretty high volume.

For an excellent history of Gibson and a lot of great pictures, you might want to get a copy of "Gibson Guitars, 100 Years of an American Icon" by Walter Carter, 1994. Although the title may lead you to think it's only about guitars, all Gibson instruments are included. (mandolins and mandolin family, harp guitars, banjos, ukeleles, tenor guitars, lap steels, etc). Try Amazon for used/new, hardcover/paper.

[Matt Bowe]

From the Kalamazoo Public Library:
http://www.kpl.gov/local-history/photos/business-photos/gibson.aspx?i=1

[MikeEdgerton]

Lloyd Loar (http://www.siminoff.net/pages/loar_background.html) didn't build instruments at Gibson. That doesn't mean that you should avoid any that he signed.

[jim_n_virginia]

I have heard that Gibson mandolins in the 70's are not that great...should I steer clear from that period, or were there some gems among them?

There ARE some gems because I have played them. I don't know if they got regraduated or not but I have played several 60's and 70's mandolin that sounded great.

I think the general idea is don't worry about who built it or when but play it and decide if it is the sound you want. :mandosmiley:

[Ivan Kelsall]

Gibson went through a period in it's history when their instruments got a bad name for quality,Mandolins & Banjos. I don't know re.their Guitars,other than that i've played several Gibson acoustics from that era which were wonderful. Maybe they payed more attention to the Guitars during the Folk music boom era ?.
The relatively poor quality & high price at the time,prompted the owner of the SAGA music corp.to have the original Gold Star Banjos made in Japan & other lone builders to build & copy the Gibson Banjos complete with Gibson logo. It possibly gave rise to Mandolin builders to do much the same,
Ivan

[mandolirius]

The relatively poor quality & high price at the time,prompted the owner of the SAGA music corp.to have the original Gold Star Banjos made in Japan & other lone builders to build & copy the Gibson Banjos complete with Gibson logo. It possibly gave rise to Mandolin builders to do much the same,Ivan

You know, that's a good point. People bemoan Gibson's "dark ages" but look at what resulted. It's simply an embarrasment of riches in the mandolin world today. Practically anything you can think of is available.

[John Kinn]

Went into an instrument shop in London this summer.They had an F5 asking £4500, built in the early seventies. I sat down and played it and was SHOCKED how bad it sounded. No chop whatsoever, and minimum sustain.A piece of wood,really.Made me wonder if I had a fake between my hands, but the shopkeeper (with a decent reputation,no names mentioned)assured me the instrument was genuine and concidered to lower the price...My old Gibson A40 plays rings around this F5, it was really bad.So I guess you have some real stinkers out there.. :crying:

[MikeEdgerton]

A large percentage of the problem might have been resolved with a decent setup.

[Willie]

I`ve heard that the "Lifetime Warranty" on Gibson mandolins during the 60`s and 70`s caused them to build them with thicker tops and heavier bracing (tone bars)...I have played some from that era that have had the tops thinned and they are real nice and some I have played that didn`t have the tops thinned were dogs...BUT that is my opinion and if a person is satisfied with what he has, more power to him.....Willie

[John Kinn]

That is interesting, for the F5 I tried had a thick top indeed...