Gibson's 120th Anniversary F5 mandolin

[DataNick]

David Harvey's Facebook page has a pic uploaded yesterday with Sam Bush visiting OAI and playing what the caption says is Gibson's 120th Anniversary F5.

Does anyone know about these, specs, etc?

Much Thanks!

[DataNick]

Thread Bump:

David Harvey posted new pics of this mando here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

Does anybody know anything about these?

[Michael Weaver]

Yes, I know that they will be expensive. Does that help any?

[Capt. E]

The inlay reminds me of some of the very high-end bowl backs.

Wait till they make the 100th anniversary model of the F-5 itself...

[HoGo]

Well, I don't want to be the bad one... but to my eyes the scrolls and shaping of the back button are not as nice as such mandolin deserves. I noticed on several of the most recent mandolins this change. Older ones (post flood) typically had nicer scrolls.

[Michael Weaver]

Well, I don't want to be the bad one... but to my eyes the scrolls and shaping of the back button are not as nice as such mandolin deserves. I noticed on several of the most recent mandolins this change. Older ones (post flood) typically had nicer scrolls.

Apparently you have a better eye than I do. I zoomed in on the pics and I can't see what you're talking about. Do you think they were done sloppy or something?
My only complaint about the Gibson mandolins in recent years is price. It definitely hasn't been workmanship to me. They did have some crappy finish problems in the early 2000's. My 2003 A9 was a victim, but it sounds and plays awesome.

[HoGo]

I wasn't clear. The button looks too small and the "gap" wider. It completely lacks the classic Gibson proportion. I may be wrong, but from the views available it appears so.

[Timbofood]

Looked "wider" to me too, Adrian. And I'm not so sure about the inlayed scoop either. I guess it should not concern me, I won't be buying one this week unless I win the lottery big time! And if I did, I know who I'd have build me a mandolin....not "The company" either. No offence, I just know who I really want to build my last ever mandolin.

[Hendrik Ahrend]

Absolutely, Adrian, remember the thread about the "Gibson eagle beak" two years ago? http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...son-Eagle-Beak Those recent scrolls are downright ugly to my eyes; the upper binding - obviously following a not very nicely laid-out gap - cranks downward at a sharp turn towards the binding mitre.

[DataNick]

This is a new one in the raw.....looks sweet!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

[Michael Weaver]

I agree, Doc. I like the way it spirals up like that which I didn't notice in the other pics. I also love the inlay. But I won't be buying neither.

[DataNick]

Yeah, I hear ya Mike, especially for me currently in this economy!

But I sure enjoy window shopping!

[Andrew B. Carlson]

I'd really like to see closer pictures of the scroll on that one. I was the OP of the Gibson Eagle Beak thread btw. That headstock would make me feel better even if the scroll wasn't my cup of tea though.

[DataNick]

I'd really like to see closer pictures of the scroll on that one...

I would message David Harvey on his Facebook page...

[jimmy powells]

I could be wrong but that picture looks like it may have Handel style inlaid tuner buttons. Mike Blohm was making them a few years ago.
Tasty !

Jimmy
UK

[Andrew B. Carlson]

I could be wrong but that picture looks like it may have Handel style inlaid tuner buttons. Mike Blohm was making them a few years ago.
Tasty !

Jimmy
UK

It does have handel style tuners. There's a close up on his FB album.

[Astro]

The fretboard is a little too Liberace for me, but I love the rest of it and I bet its a killer mando.,

[Jonathan James]

Speaking of scroll perfection (or imperfections), its hard to beat this...

[John Flynn]

All that craftsmanship and they still use that POS tailpiece!

[pfox14]

120th anniversary??? The F5 has only been around for 81 years. Gibson has only been in business for 112 years.

[allenhopkins]

120th anniversary??? The F5 has only been around for 81 years. Gibson has only been in business for 112 years.

Orville Gibson filed his one-and-only mandolin construction patent in 1896, 118 years ago.

Maybe he built his first instrument in 1894? Or maybe "120" just sounds like a cool round number...

[darrylicshon]

Gibson is releasing a 120 anv of all thier instruments

[Buck]

All that craftsmanship and they still use that POS tailpiece!

Which is my favorite type of tailpiece. Not everyone hates it.

[Timbofood]

It was good enough for years. And Bill had one!
Oh, and Lloyd did it that way.

[pfox14]

Well, in 1938 Gibson claimed that the company started in 1892, as evidenced by this small catalog cover. Then, somewhat recently, they decided it started in 1894. Neither date is correct. No one knows for sure when Orville made his first instrument. One account I read said he started in the 1880s.