Gibson Black Hills F-5 Proto

[carleshicks]

Check out this beauty. To bad this never made it into production. I like the way it looks. http://www.mandomutt.com/products-page/mandolins/2007-gibson-black-hills-f-5-sold

[lenf12]

I don't know how long Mandomutt had that in stock. Probably a very short period of time. I love it too. Wish Gibson would put it into production. It reminds me of the mid 90's blacktop Gibson F-5 that Emory Lester used to play.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Fretbear]

The quoted sale price seemed lower than you would expect for such a sweet axe.

[Tom C]

too much yellow. I like the Victorian better.

[Tony Sz]

I'm the new owner of this incredible mandolin. One thing that I find that distinguishes it from other current Gibson offerings (aside from cosmetics) is a steeper neck angle, along with a custom saddle that was made to accomodate this pronounced increase in neck angle. Another thing I've noticed is a slightly smaller opening in the F holes as compared to the recent Gibsons I've seen. Anyway, the bottom line here is that this mandolin has a wonderful, deep bass, without compromising the high end, or the chop that "pops" like a more mature mandolin (this one is dated Sept. 14,2007, although never owned, so it's virtually new). All I can say is that I am delighted with the mando. It's up there with the best new mandos I've ever had the pleasure to play, and I've played some good ones!

[sgarrity]

Congrats on the purchase Tony!! That is a beauty for sure.

[J.Albert]

RE:
"one thing that I find that distinguishes it from other current Gibson offerings (aside from cosmetics) is a steeper neck angle, along with a custom saddle that was made to accomodate this pronounced increase in neck angle. Another thing I've noticed is a slightly smaller opening in the F holes as compared to the recent Gibsons I've seen. Anyway, the bottom line here is that this mandolin has a wonderful, deep bass, without compromising the high end, or the chop that "pops" like a more mature mandolin (this one is dated Sept. 14,2007, although never owned, so it's virtually new)"

The Black Hills was a Goldrush that got a different finish, along with the Waverly tuners. But other than the tuners, the design looks all-but identical to a production F5-GR. That accounts for the smaller f-holes, and the "bassier" response that comes with them. All the Goldrushes have the steep neck angle, I don't really think there's anything "custom" about the saddle.

I'll guess that the sound is essentially the same as you'd get from the Goldrush, which is to say just a little different than the typical "Gibson sound". That is to say, clear and defined, balanced, still with the typical "pop" but "on the bassy side". That's how my own Goldrush sounds.

- John

[Bernie Daniel]

Cool looking mando! Is it the photo or is the inside edge of the scrool a slightly different shape than Gibson F-5 previously?

Also anyone know where this mandolin has been since 2007?

[Tony Sz]

[
All the Goldrushes have the steep neck angle, I don't really think there's anything "custom" about the saddle

- John[/QUOTE]

The saddle is a bit thicker, or taller, than what I'm familiar with on a typical fern, F5-G, etc. In other words, with the steeper neck angle, you would see more of the post between the base and the saddle, whereas with this saddle, not much of the post shows, even with the increased height of the strings over the top. I'll have to look more closely at a Goldrush to see if it's similar to this mando.

[Big Joe]

I remember when this one was built. It is a Gold rush with a different color. They called it the "Black Rush" at first. Gibson mandolins can have a bit different neck angle from one to another. This is often dependent upon who is doing the neck installs at any given time. Once they have been at it for a bit they seem to be more similar, but if they change the person setting the necks you may notice a bit more difference in neck angle...either lower or higher. To compensate for the difference in neck angles there are several saddles used. There are taller ones, more mid size,and low saddles. Most often they buy the tall and low and then adjust the saddle down it if fits in the middle. We stock more than one height as well since each mandolin has to be considered for the saddle it can use.

Neck angles are not uncommon to be different from mandollin to mandolin, though again, when the same person does them on a regular basis they seem to become far more stable in whatever angle they prefer. I do not like a real low neck angle. I would rather have one a bit high than low. However, a nice mid range is about perfect.

That is a nice mandolin and whatever it is now called it should give a lifetime of great playability and tone. Congratulations. My son has another Goldrush with a different color. They call it the "Mouldrush" and it is an incredible mandolin! Have fun with it and play the fire out of it!