My newest addiition: 1918 Gibson F4

[Matt Harris]

I picked up a little 40th birthday present for myself. Hopefully this will ease the MAS for a while. I thought seriously about going with a 1929 Gibson H1, I really loved the sound, and don't own a mandola. But in the end I ended up going with this 1918 Gibson F4. It's all original, just missing the pickguard (I prefer it this way, honestly). My wife loves antiques, and she actually urged me to get it. To her it was like a piece of art.

[Three-Dz]

Sweeeeeeeet!

[F-2 Dave]

Your wife is right. Art it is. Your's is a beautiful example. Hope you enjoy it for years to come. Happy birthday.

[Randi Gormley]

Nice, nice, nice!

[Skip Kelley]

Very nice! congratulations!

[Fretbear]

It is a doppelgänger (minus the wear) of the F4 that Jimmy Martin had some players in his band use.
Very nice.

[John Soper]

A beauty! This will ease the pain - but only for a short while. MAS is a demanding mistress!

[Jake Wildwood]

F-4s are the classiest, methinks. Nice score. :D

[Ken Waltham]

You will never regret getting an F4. Art, history and musical expression all in one package.
If you need a p/g, and I highly recommend it, PM me, I have one.

[lenf12]

You will never regret getting an F4. Art, history and musical expression all in one package.
If you need a p/g, and I highly recommend it, PM me, I have one.

I agree with you wholeheartedly Ken. A pick guard not only completes the look of an F-4 and it will protect the finish which is showing some battle scars below the sound hole. Gorgeous mandolin though and a very knowledgeable wife you have there. Are the Handel tuners original to this mandolin? I thought they were phased out in 1917? Can you post the s/n and FON? Thanks for posting.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Charles E.]

Wow, what a wonderful mandolin to have. Enjoy!

[BBarton]

Nice mando -- good choice! Is that a one-piece back? I think leftover Handel tuners at Gibson must have spilled over into 1918, as I have an 1918 H-2 mandola, also with original Handel tuners.

[Matt Harris]

Yes, it is a one piece back.

As far as the pickguard, I appreciate it, but no thanks! Love the way it looks without it, and I'm not worried about the wear.

A lot of the 1918's I've seen have the Handel tuners. But a lot of 1918 model mandolins were actually produced in 1917 (this one was), so perhaps that's the reason why. Seems to be a bit of a grey area.

[Tobin]

I picked up a little 40th birthday present for myself. Hopefully this will ease the MAS for a while. I thought seriously about going with a 1929 Gibson H1, I really loved the sound, and don't own a mandola. But in the end I ended up going with this 1918 Gibson F4.

I'm a little late to this party, but congratulations! A 1918 F4 was what I got myself for my 40th birthday too (last year). They make nice gifts to oneself, LOL.

Are the Handel tuners original to this mandolin? I thought they were phased out in 1917? Can you post the s/n and FON? Thanks for posting.

I couldn't speak as to when or if they were phased out, but my 1918 F4 has the inlaid Handel tuners, and the numbers date it as 1918 both for the manufacture and ship date. According to the Mandolin Archive, anyway. This is my F4 on the Archive site.

[MarkusSpiel]

Oh man nice.... only 12 years too wait :D