Tax return: $5000 on used F-body...

[telepbrman]

Yep, it has a slim chance of occuring, very slim, but if it does go down.....what do you think---Used F-bodies:

Gibson F-5L, Weber Fern, or Collings MF-5?

Later, dy.

[John Flynn]

I assume you mean "tax refund." I would go with the Collings.

[carleshicks]

The Gibson with out a doubt. I have an '03 Fern and it is the nicest Mandolin in the $5,000 price range.

[lindensensei]

See if you can find a 03-04 Fern by Gibson. #You may have trouble locating one at that price as I have been watching the price go up each week, but if you can, the Fern is the one. #If not, try an F5G and keep a thousand in your pocket. #The 'G' is an amazing ax.

[Biff]

You have many great choices.

I have a 2001 Sam Bush and it's an amazing instrument and suggest you check them out. I really like the neck and the sound is huge.

where you getting it from?

[mrt10x]

Call Weber, with your 5k you can get a custom Yellowstone or even possibly a Fern made anyway you want. Discuss with them the sound you wish to achieve and you will have a custom made instrument at a better price than you will get on any Gibson or Collings

[lindensensei]

Yeah, but you won't have a Gibson...:D

[Scotti Adams]

..get a Rose from Darby and pocket some cash...I guarentee you that the sound will be 5X the sound of a new Gibson...and the quality is right up there with them...not that they(Gibson) arent good(Please fellows dont chew me up)...there are some Great Gibsons out there...I just prefer a fatter tone....I bet Darbys prices wont be what they are now in a few months...Plus..Darby is great to talk to....he really knows his stuff...he really knows his woods and how to put #them together in the right combo to produce the maximum mando. Im really looking forward to my new one which is due in May....Darby believes in good coorespondence with the customer which somthing that I can grow use to.

[Professor PT]

I've yet to play a Weber that has sounded as good as my F-9. That includes the Weber Fern, Yellowstone, et al. That's my opinion, of course.

[Flowerpot]

What happened to the BRW cheering section?

[mandomick]

We're here, but we have enough home training not to hijack a guy's thread.

[Scotti Adams]

What happened to the BRW cheering section?
..yea..quit trying to start trouble.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif....there are other mandos out there..... Yea..I know..this is where I get stomped in the ground again...I just hope I can keep my eyes above ground level.

[Flowerpot]

Oh gee... and I already had the popcorn made. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mrt10x]

"I've yet to play a Weber that has sounded as good as my F-9. #That includes the Weber Fern, Yellowstone, et al. #That's my opinion, of course."

And I have yet to play a Gibson that had the clear voice of my Weber (admittedly a small number played in various stores across the country in my travels). #This board has a fixation on "Bark" as I suppose a Bluegrass oriented board would. #My point is that Bruce and his gang can create a custom mandolin with the sound an individual player has in mind, whereas with Gibson you get what you get. #Different bracing options, finish options, wood options will get the classical player the sound he/she wants, the "bark" a bluegrass player wants or the clear highs and lows that a cross-genre player desires. #I believe for the same money, or less that you will pay for a Gibson you can get a custom Weber built to your visual and sound specifications. # And that is JMHO #
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[fatt-dad]

Well, I'll chime in for Lou Stiver. I still love my A-model and his F's are under $5,000.00. Another great guy to work with.

f-d

[jim_n_virginia]

"I've yet to play a Weber that has sounded as good as my F-9. #That includes the Weber Fern, Yellowstone, et al. #That's my opinion, of course."

And I have yet to play a Gibson that had the clear voice of my Weber (admittedly a small number played in various stores across the country in my travels). #This board has a fixation on "Bark" as I suppose a Bluegrass oriented board would. #My point is that Bruce and his gang can create a custom mandolin with the sound an individual player has in mind, whereas with Gibson you get what you get. #Different bracing options, finish options, wood options will get the classical player the sound he/she wants, the "bark" a bluegrass player wants or the clear highs and lows that a cross-genre player desires. #I believe for the same money, or less that you will pay for a Gibson you can get a custom Weber built to your visual and sound specifications. # And that is JMHO #
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Hear! Hear! I'd go with Weber. For 5K you can have a dream mando built and work with the builder to get exactly what you want.

And as far as F-9's ... I would my let my sunburst, gold tuners, custom TRC with gloss finish and custom kangaroo braided strapped Flatiron F be seen sitting next to a mando that looks like it left the shop a day too early......

JUST KIDDING! (couldn't resist) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Gibsonman]

GIBSON

[Dan Cole]

First off, don't make any deals with the wife!!! #I had a deal where the money I got from selling my long time collection of stuff was going to a new Mando. #When I got $7000, she about had a heart attack. #She took half that went who knows where, and I ended up with a new Weber Big Sky. #All in all it worked out. #But you can bet had she not gotten involved I'd have some $7000 axe to play!!!!

[Darryl Wolfe]

Get a "Vessel" Testore..I hear they are monsters http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mandoJeremy]

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

[Steve Farling]

Gibson F5-G But be aware that there will never, ever, be another one that will compare with mine! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Lee]

Wait eight months, and buy Scotti's Rose http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Or plop down some money right now and put a hold on that Brentrup in the classifieds.

[futrconslr]

between the 3 you named I'd get the Gibson, then the collings. I agree with Lee though that Brentrup in the classifieds looks really tempting.

[flairbzzt]

Hey, I want to buy Scottie's Rose!

[Karen Kay]

Bill Davis from Mass St.

[Ken Waltham]

I still like that schill explaination.......

[pickinNgrinnin]

The 3 mentioned Mandolins listed by the topic starter are very nice instruments. Everyone has their favorites. It's pointless to debate which is best in this group. It's up to your ears and your budget. If you have 5 grand laying around, you may want to expand your shopping list beyond these 3.

For example, Karen had a good suggestion - Bill Davis http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[KevinM]

Paul Duff- they retail for $6K, a two year or more wait right now, and a couple have been hovering around here and on eBay for about $5000. Adirondack top, varnish, radiused board, all the bells and whistles....

[Mando4Life]

I would also consider the following things...are you going to play out with a group or just play for your own enjoyment. If it were me ( I play for enjoyment)...I would find a instrument that pleased my ear and left cash in my pocket... and I beleive that is possible to do. Are all the "bells and whistles" that important to you at the end of the day? I'm finally starting to learn that is not always the case.#There are sooo many options...take your time and find the right one.

WBL