Bad idea ?

[jimbob]

I have a Bibey model Gibson that sounds really great, but I just can't get used to the spacing and neck width. I have a couple of custom mandos with wider necks and radiused boards that feel much better, but don't have the sound of the Gibson. Would it be foolish to consider re-necking the Bibey ? How much would it cost and who could do such a job ?

[billhay4]

I don't see anything foolish about it if you want to play the Bibey. As for cost, it'll cost you. I'd contact Gibson for a quotation, but lots of good luthiers can handle this.
Bill

[Markse]

Just as a kind of wacky thought, is the neck wide enough to string it C G DD AA EE (I think that adds up to 8)? It would cost a lot less than a new neck.

[jimbob]

Anyone used Gibson for such things ? What sort of experience did you have ?

[arbarnhart]

Just as a kind of wacky thought, is the neck wide enough to string it C G DD AA EE (I think that adds up to 8)? It would cost a lot less than a new neck.

He thinks the neck isn't wide enough for 4 courses and you suggest he try 5 courses intead?

[mandroid]

Only that particular Body will sound like itself,

You will probably have to get Gibson Custom Shop to replace the neck, then.

No one else can, legally, put the Gibson brand name on the front of the headstock on the replacement neck.

recover from the sticker shock by putting the others in the Classifieds here..

so others can find sufficient happiness .

[jaydee]

You know, I once played a mandolin that had two wings grafted onto each side of the neck to make it wider. The fretboard had been replaced to accommodate the extra width of the neck. You could see the seams of the graft but not feel them. I bet that it could be less expensive than a new neck, and reversible too. Has anyone else seen anything like this?

Jeremy

[jimbob]

I doubt if widening the existing neck is a real option. I hope to hear from Gibson soon....I am debating whether to do the mod or just go find a mando that sounds and plays like I want. The Bibey is exceptional in tonal qualities. If I could have the neck done for a reasonable price, it might be better than going on a drwan out hunt....

MAS strikes again

[Markse]

My bad. Somwhow I got the impression that the neck was too wide.

[Chris Biorkman]

Like others said, I really think contacting Gibson is the way to go. I would be worried about voiding the warranty if someone else did the work. They probably know what they are doing, I would think.

[arbarnhart]

Well, you did say it was a wacky thought.

[sunburst]

Is it really the neck width or is it the string spacing? You might be able to space the strings wider at the nut and get a feel that you like better. Also, Gibsons usually have binding "tabs" at the ends of the frets rather than fret ends extending over the binding so that you can use the full width of the fingerboard. I assume the Bibey model is done the usual Gibson way. Re-fretting with longer frets, extended over the binding can give you more usable fingerboard width.
And finally, a wider fingerboard can be installed on the existing neck like Mike Marshal's Loar.

Those are three things to think about before replacing the whole neck, all of which are less work and less intrusive to the mandolin, but replacing the mandolin is probably the best thing to do, if you can find one with the sound you like and the neck feel that you like in the same package.

[Trip]

I would play some Sam Bush Models, etc.. and see if you find the comfort and tone all in one mando before I went to the trouble and expense of a reneck of a top quality mando that really has nothing wrong with it....this actually sounds like alot of fun searching for your next perfect mando....sounds like a good problem to have!

[BradKlein]

I would like to hear from some café readers who HAVE re-necked contemporary or vintage instruments. The cost would seem to be worthwhile in many cases, and it’s a much less radical operation than re-topping. Anyone try this? Why? Who did the work? About how much was it?

After all, every Stradivarius has been re-necked partially or entirely.

[Crowder]

Fitting the neck to the mandolin using the dovetail joint is one of the most crucial steps to making a good mandolin. I would think that with the crafting of a new neck, fitting it, installing it, fretting it, finishing it to match, plus the raw materials and Gibson's significant markup, plus the waste of the old neck, there is very little chance that it would make economic sense to do what you're suggesting. I'll throw $2000 out there as a guess. The end result will be a mandolin that is worth not a penny more on the open market than it is today. If you know it will be your lifetime keeper, that's one thing. If you think you'll ever want to trade it, you'll take a bath.

Someone here sent a Fern back to Gibson to have the laquer removed and a varnish finish applied. Similar deal IMHO.

[jimbob]

Suburst, thatnk for the good points. I may indeed have a little room to play with the string spacing. The flat board doesn't bother me too much, but might consider just having the radius added if the sapcing issue can be addressed. Any idea what it might cost to radius the fret board ?

[sunburst]

A little more than a complete fret job (with planing of the fingerboard), which varies with luthiers and location, unless there are problems with thin or large inlays that drive the price up. You'll also need work done to the nut and bridge saddle, either arching the existing parts or replacing them.

[Bernie Daniel]

I don't see anything foolish about it if you want to play the Bibey. As for cost, it'll cost you. I'd contact Gibson for a quotation, but lots of good luthiers can handle this.

I have the same problem.

I had a conversation (last week) with a very fine mandolin player who happens to work in the Gibson repair facility in Nashville and he noted the cost to reneck an F-5 Fern with a custom or wide neck at the Gibson facility is around $3,000 (plus or minus). #They have done it a few times so it can be done and if you got the money..............

I have concluded I need to look for a used Sam Bush model or I might go for an F-5G custom -- because at the end of the day I would have a wide neck F-5 Fern that would have cost me as much as a Bush signature but still be a Fern.

I would think Gibson would sell more mandolins if they made the wide neck easier to obtain.

[mrmando]

How much does the neck contribute to the tone? What if this Bibey sounded different after it was converted to have a wider neck?

[Bernie Daniel]

mrmando: How much does the neck contribute to the tone? What if this Bibey sounded different after it was converted to have a wider neck?

I my opinion a wider neck probably has no influence on the sound of the mandolin -- but it can make it easier for some with large hands. #More room. #In any case it sure helps me.

[Bernie Daniel]

mandroid: No one else can, legally, put the Gibson brand name on the front of the headstock on the replacement neck.

I think that may not be correct. If it is goingh back on a Gibson mandolin than I think anyone can make a neck with "Gibson" (in any script or block lettering you want) and put it back on the mandolin.

It is your mandolin and Gibson Co. has no say in that matter.

Putting a Gibson neck on a non-Gibson mandolin is a different matter and that is where the trouble begins.