Gibson Mandolins

**tiltman** · Jun-07-2004, 5:56pm

I have a couple of older Gibson A models and a Gibson F-9. I find that when playing the older A models that my hand is more comfortable than on the F-9 (when playing for more than a few hours). Initially I thought that it was because of the V - shape neck on the F-9 and thought about shaving/sanding it down. After lurking around here for a few months it hit me that it may be that both A models have a slightly wider neck when measured at the nut.
What are the neck widths on the various current Gibson models?
Sorry about the long post - lot of cafeine this afternoon!
Kirk

**mandoJeremy** · Jun-07-2004, 6:15pm

To be honest, I am not sure of the exact widths but if you do like the wider necks I was at Gibson today and they had two F-5G's with the same neck and block inlay as the Sam Bush model and they sounded great. Worth looking at because the F-9 cramped my hands up while I was playing one during the refinish of my Bush and when I got my Bush model back it was no longer an issue.

**tiltman** · Jun-09-2004, 1:51pm

MandoJeremy,
Thanks for the reply. That's similar to my own experience.
I'm hoping to get some specific measurements on the current
Gibson models so I can compare to what I've got and perhaps consider something else.
Big Joe or Charlie D. are you out there?
Thanks,
Kirk

Jun-09-2004, 8:08pm

I think the master is 1 1/16 and the Fern and F-5G 1 1/8 the Bush I don't remember

**WireBoy** · Jun-10-2004, 1:49am

i played a Sam Bush recently at a music store. I was so impresssed that i could actually fret notes cleanly with out damping neighbooring strings. an unusual situation for Gibson and me. i had the guy behind the counter get out the tape measure ... width @ nut 1 3/16 !!!

**mandopixie** · Jun-22-2004, 2:29pm

"..think the master is 1 1/16 and the Fern and F-5G 1 1/8 the Bush I don't remember".

My 'G' is exactly 1", and MM 1 1/16"

**GTison** · Jun-23-2004, 7:57am

after playing about 30 new ones last year I'm not sure there is a spec for the models other than the
Bush. Lot's of variation w/in 16th of inches. Maybe big Joe can chime in

**Darryl Wolfe** · Jun-23-2004, 8:48am

I agree with all the past few posts.....the MM's I've seen are about 1-1/6..with the others a bit wider and the bush much wider. I do find it hard to believe they made a "G" at 1-inch though. The narrowest of Loars are 1-inch, and I've not seen that narrow on any newer Gibson...Joe?

**UncleNorm** · Jun-23-2004, 6:39pm

My MM is 1". I first got the mando I thought someone got a little carried away in carving the neck and mentioned the tinyness to Charlie. He said it is within Loar specs.

**Charlie Derrington** · Jun-23-2004, 7:02pm

Sorry all........

I've been kinda busy.

MMs follow the Loar specs and average between 1" and 1 3/32. We shoot for 1 1/16, but since all of our necks are hand finished (as were the Loars) there is bound to be some variation with the specification. That's why I always admonish folks to play before they buy, to make sure they get what they like.

Seems I remember making a G at 1" by request.

Charlie