View Full Version : Gibson F-9s
Jasper
Sep-09-2004, 12:27pm
I recently played a Gibson F-9 at the store where I take music lessons. To tell you the truth, for nearly $3,000, I wasn't terribly impressed...it didn't play poorly and sounded nice, but not $3 grand nice. And while dot inlays on the fretboard aren't a necessity, you'd think Gibson would put something in there.
Any dissenting opinions or agreement?
Jasper
mandoryan
Sep-09-2004, 12:36pm
These things can be real honkers, but I wouldn't pay 3000 for one. I've seen them used for around 2000 and less. The few that I have played have been real good and real loud too. I agree about the fret dots though. I think they should put something in there. Also, a light sunburst would be nice too. They are good in the sound department though!
duuuude
Sep-09-2004, 12:58pm
You really won't miss the dots, and without them it has that nice simple look. Close your eyes & listen, that should help you decide. And mandoryan is right, you should be able to find one used for around $2K if you look long enough.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
Jasper
Sep-09-2004, 1:08pm
Yes, it played well and sounded good, I just thought as a "Gibson" it would really overwhelm me and it didn't. I do like the simplicity of the visual...and such.
How long does it take for one of these to break in? I realize it is a continual process, but do you have good rule of thumb?...a year, two, ten?
Jasper
I've been playing everything under the sun lately as i look for my next upgrade in the 1k-2k range and it's close between the F9 and Collings MT (with the Gibson a bit ahead of it imo). I've tracked down a new F9 at 2.4k and a few gently used ones with cases at 2.0k.
I am purposly being very methodical and slow in making my upgrade since $2.0k is a lot for me and I want to make sure that I get the "right" instrument. However, this Gibson is a nice instrument.
And no, I don't miss the dots. LOL - I didn't event notice they didn't have them until the 3rd time I played it at the store.
This instruments got a nice, loud bark to it. I personally love it!
Now I just have to get rid of my buyers fear and take the plunge and buy one. -)
8ch(pl)
Sep-09-2004, 2:36pm
I played both an F-9 and an A-9 last year. I didn't see too much difference in sound between the 2. It all goes back to whether or not you want to pay for the scroll.
I did like the sound from both instruments and they were brand new, I also recently played a Weber Absoroka that was really nice.
jim simpson
Sep-09-2004, 3:06pm
I have a mandolin purchased from a friend who ordered it without dots. I don't miss them and like the understated look of the plain fingerboard. It does have a shaped fingerboard extension which I prefer to the blunt or squared end.
Jim Simpson
oakland
Sep-09-2004, 5:41pm
I have an F9 and it suits me just about right. It has a great sound and I love the simple look. I agree with the others, it should be less than 3000.00, possibly around 2450.00 new. I don't miss the dots, but I have added a pickguard and an armrest and I will soon be changing to grover tuners with black buttons.
Michael Schaefer
pdlstl
Sep-09-2004, 8:06pm
$300 or $3000...if that instrument didn't "talk" to you, look elsewhere.
2¢.....
Philip Halcomb
Sep-09-2004, 8:17pm
I play an F9 too and it sounds and plays great... I can't complain for the price I paid for it either. I bought mine used for a little less than 2k. I too think 3k is an awful lot for that instrument. Here's a pic of mine, it also has a few appointments you don't normally see on an F9... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Jasper
Sep-10-2004, 6:14am
Flip,
Nice pic of your F-9...noted it has the dot inlays on the fretboard, but also the finish looks glossier than the one I played. Is this one of the really early models, thus the dots and glossier finish? The slim pic guard is a nice touch as well.
Jasper
duuuude
Sep-10-2004, 8:01am
Beautiful! But kinda fancy, ain't it? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
Philip Halcomb
Sep-10-2004, 1:35pm
Not quite sure why it's glossier. Although, I know what you mean I've seen very dark ugly ones and very light ones that weren't too attractive either. They all had a flatter finish. The dots and finger-rest I added during a refret. The rest is original...
The headstock inlay looks different too, like an F5-G.
mandoJeremy
Sep-10-2004, 7:48pm
As I pointed out in another thread of this mando, it also has a flowerpot inlay and "The Gibson" instead of just "Gibson". Nice one. I also played an F-9 while my Bush was being refinished and it did the job. Not quite as great but still worked for me.
mandoJeremy
Sep-10-2004, 7:50pm
I also might add that I sold it for $1,600.00 on the classifieds here which I do realize is VERY cheap but I don't think you should have to pay more than $1,800.00 for one if you look long enough.
lindensensei
Sep-11-2004, 6:31am
Just an echo - I love my F9 and will keep it after I get the fern. #I wish it had a bound neck and fancy flowerpot inlay and 'The Gibson' like Flips, though. #It has massive tone, volume and playability, but it is not their best effort. #Which is why it is so inexpensive. #And I walked into my local chain music store and told them I'd give them $2200.00 new out of the box and they took it. #Bargain on, Dude! #
Oh, one last thing, I have boogered up the top pretty badly in only 6 months of playing, the finish really needs some kind of something...but as I intend to keep it, so what?
duuuude
Sep-11-2004, 8:43am
Just gotta share a recent experience with mine:
Had Michael Lewis check my beloved F-9 out at a music festival and he found a problem with the truss rod that wasn't allowing for adjustment, so I contacted Gibson and recieved a reply within an hour from the QC manager telling me they'd just as soon replace it and maybe try to fix it later, plus they're paying for shipping! That's how strong their commitment to quality is, always heard about it but after first-hand experience I firmly believe they only want the best instruments possible outside their doors. Hope this doesn't sound like a giant suck-up, but you just don't find that kinda quality of service everyday from a big company.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
Another F9 thread huh........in one word......yuk.
mad dawg
Sep-11-2004, 9:22am
Oh come on, Dale: tell us what you really think! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
mandosage
Sep-11-2004, 11:34am
I'm wondering why you bothered to read this thread , Dale?
you come across as bitter. Why?
In response to Dale: I'm not trying to be disrespectful to someone who knows mandolins much better than I do, but if everyone else is like me, they love their mandolin. #Whether it is a cheap import, an F-9 or a 1923 Lloyd Loar F-5. #Not everyone can afford a Master Model. #Sometimes you have to make due with what you have. Not only this, but isn't this what the forum is for?
Save your cyber ink newbies. My opinons on the F9 have been long & well documented here. Bitter.....no. I just don't like them & never have. Re read the original post on this thread please.
duuuude
Sep-12-2004, 3:50pm
OK Dale, I re-read it, and I agree that though the F-9 may not be $3K worth of instrument to everyone, it certainly is worth it to some of us, though I doubt many coughed up the full price to begin with. So your point is?
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Nah, that sounds like I'm defending something, tell ya what, you don't buy Gibson & I promise not to buy whatever you like, OK?
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
"you don't buy Gibson & I promise not to buy whatever you like, OK?"
While I'm quite agreeable to the first part of that statement. I certainly wouldn't hold you to the second part of it, no reason to punish yourself. # #
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
duuuude
Sep-12-2004, 5:08pm
perry & thrust, I concede the point to Dale. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Nathan Sanders
Sep-13-2004, 12:11am
I just returned from a trip to Nashville where I had the privilege of trying out an F-9 at the Gibson store at Opry Mills. I was impressed with the sound. It was very nice, loud and sweet. The mandolin was very easy to play too. I played an A-9 as well and was equally impressed. I'd like to add one or both to my arsenal sometime, but I'll not buy at the Gibson store at Opry Mills. If I remember right the price on the F-9 was $3500.00 I asked the salesman how much they normally discount off that price,and he replied 10%. He claimed that is all Gibson allows them to discount, being a Gibson authorized store. WOW!!
Gibsons recent moves to shore up prices & lose the small dealers should present some buying opportunities in the short term. If they pull it off expect discounts of no more than 20% off list in the future. Used will continue to be the most economical way to go. We've consistantly seen used A9's in the $850 range..... The used F9 that recently brought $2000 (on the Cafe classifieds) was definitely in the upper range of what used F9's seem to be bringing....congrats Jim!
Jasper
Sep-13-2004, 6:41am
Dale,
What do you like?
Jasper
Jasper
Sep-13-2004, 7:11am
Reference the Nashville Opry Mills reply...I have lately seen the F-9 for sale in the $2600 range in some discount warehouse catalog, so paying over $3K is definitely way up the scale for one of these.
Jasper
A year ago I was checking out mandos at a shop, and a dealer offered to sell me his brand new F-9 for $2250...that was his starting offer. Take out of that what you will, but I agree that over 3K is a bit over the top, especially considering the other "fully-loaded" options out there in that particular price-range.
Hey, I like LOTS of mandos.....I would really like to try one of Kieth Newell's mandolins. Mando Medic (Cartwright's Music) has one of his A's for sale & would be a great fellow to ask about it. Kieth is a Tool & Die maker, as was Pete Langdell (Rigel) & Lynn Dudenbostel.....Highly skilled craftsman that bring that precision to their mandolin building. I've been watching Kieth for quite a while now & wish I'd tried his instead of some others I won't mention.
Bill Snyder
Sep-13-2004, 8:40am
Local music store here is asking $2300 for a new F9. Don't know if they would come down any on this price or not, but it does make 3K look out of line.
Nathan Sanders
Sep-13-2004, 10:49am
The Gibson store at Opry Mills is really neat as a showroom. You can "test drive" anything you want, but I sure would not want to buy there. I played a Sam Bush model. Price tag on it was $10,000 and change.
I also spent a little time at Gruhn Guitars. They have neat stuff as well, but they have to get it off the wall for you. One of the coolest things I played at Gruhn was an old Gibson mandocello. What a sound. Check out their site, you can find a picture there. I also checked out a MK mandolin. Not too bad for what they are.
If you insist on spending your hard earned $$$ on an F9......you may want to keep an eye on this one.
F9 on Ebay (http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3748398937&rd=1)
mandoJeremy
Sep-13-2004, 10:54am
That was very nice of you Dale.
Shhhhh......you'll ruin my rep!
mandoJeremy
Sep-13-2004, 11:03am
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
or this #Flatiron (http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=11002&query=retrieval)
Which I think is a little high.......BTW