Lebeda standard vs gibson f9

[bahed]

I need a little advice. I am trying to decide between two mandolins both built in 2003. I have heard a Lebeda once before, I don't remember what model it was and the only thing I really remember is that the my very accomplished mandolin teacher was playing it during our lesson and he was coveting it highly from the music store from which I was taking the lesson (they also carried most of the low to medium level Webers and a couple of Summit mandos - and he said that the Lebeda blew those ones away).

I have played one Gibson F9 before and thought it was about the best sounding mando I had ever heard. Now my exposure is a bit limited, so that comment doesn't hold too much water. They are priced within $100 of each other.

The problem is that they are both located 8 and 5 hours away from me, respectively - so I can't play them to directly compare them. It goes against my style to purchase something, anything without touching it- especially when we are talking about a price range of 2... large, as they say.

All comments appreciated.

[Steve1452]

I have never played a Lebeda, but I have an F-9. #It's has a great sound and I believe it's one of the coolest looking mandolins. (I'm talking about the brown one). In addition, I started playing in the 60's when a Gibson was considered the standard. Even though there are many other great mandolins that might play and sound better, I still believe that a Gibson is the real prize.

Good luck to you!
Steve in Florida

[mandroid]

My one foray Into F-dom is a Lebeda "Jazzica"
I got it 2nd hand, {an'01}, Off the classifieds.

It: Nice slim [Not a V] neck profile,
Cognac/Brandy Orange Colored Lacquer
with tortoise-oid binding.

I'm sure his Bluegrass style F's are just as nice.


Add: To hit the price point Gibson 9's leaves off trim details,
and less fancy finish.
Lebeda has some lower costs and so you may get more binding
features and a glossier finish and sunburst, if that matters.

[swampstomper]

I have a Lebeda F5 Premium+ from 2007, so not directly comprable to the one you could get. Like many others who've posted on the board, I really love mine. It's not a Gibson sound and does not try to be. Jiri seems to aim for a richer, more balanced sound than the Gibson woodiness -- but that is really a subjective statement and of course varies among instruments.

Another difference is probably the neck profile. The F9s I have seen have a quite narrow V-neck; Lebedas vary (call the seller to find out the dimensions) but are definitely rounded, which I find comfortable, YMMV, and probably somewhat to quite a bit (Sam Bush) wider than the F9.

To me, the Lebeda is quite sophisticated, by which I mean I can get a variety of sounds, with rich overtones.

If you can get approval periods, and you are serious, try before buying. Both are quality instruments.

HTH

[bahed]

I am leaning towards the F9 and you had to throw great facts my way !! The frustrating thing is that the instruments are both about 8 hours away. One due north and the other one straight east. I suppose I could buy one and if I don't like it I could send it back and try the other, but I sure would like them side by side for the ultimate in comparison !

I am hoping to get an instrument that has some versatility since I like to play jazz, swing bluegrass, country rock, etc.

Any other comments out there ?

[pjlama]

Well, if both have an approval period and your credit card can handle it, have them sent the same day, back to back them for two days then send the one you don't like back.

[swampstomper]

Bahed, these are both quality instruments. You will have to "grow" into either one, that is, find out its potential, which (in my case, with the Lebeda) is a process that is far from over. The only "regret" I think you'd have is with a neck that is not right for you. I forgot to add that the Lebeda is most likely radiused and the Gibson flat -- again, call the seller to be sure. I have tried an F9 and one reason I didn't consider it further was the narrow, V-shaped neck -- great for some folks (obviously! it is a popular mando) but I could not adjust at least during my trial time in the store.

The Gibson F9 is made for bluegrass, it was designed as the "Gibson tone" (think --Bill Monroe) without any decoration, to keep the price down. Some people (me included) love the clean no-frills chocolate look. The Lebeda will certainly fit well in a bluegrass session but was designed to be versitile. So I think you ought to seriously consider the sound of the Lebeda, given your preferences.

Generalities don't apply to specific mandos. The quality of both of these is unquestioned but is either of them the one that will "jump out" at you? There is no way to know w/o playing.

Finally, what is 8 hours for a lifetime of pleasure? If you were courting two ladies who lived eight hours away would you hesitate about visiting them both and assessing their.... ahem... profiles, comfort, versatility and sound

A final point about the Lebedas. There are some new ones (last year's model actually) in the classifieds with Jeff Cowherd and the price may not be too far from what they are asking for the 2003 (you didn't tell us that) (NFI but I am a satisfied customer). If you are anywhere near Cincinatti you would be able to try a wide range of mandos in his store. The same goes for other serious mando dealers you see mentioned here and in the classifieds.

[Ken Olmstead]

The Gibson F9 is a real good mando. I am partial to my Weber Fern and have no experience with the Lebeda. Although I would agree with swampstomper, my Fern is more versitle sound wise. I can tell you that I would not have kept my F9 if I had not had the fretboad radiused and the larger frets installed (same as my Weber or course ) But the F9s and A9s for that matter really nail the Gibson sound. I have played 4 "9" models and every one of them was great sound wise. Also the "9s" are very liquid in the resale arena. If you play it for a year and don't like it, it will sell very quickly from what I have seen although at a discount from new. They are an absolute bargin used. I keep mine because it plays real good now after the mods (about $300) and because it ends the seach for Gibson tone and chop and I can get on with life and enjoy the virtues of other sounds. I doubt you could really go wrong with your decision. Trying them both back to back sure would be the tell tale. Anyway, if you have specific questions about my F9, feel free to PM.

After thinking about it, I can't rightly say that the Fern is more versital. Considering the mountains of recordings done on a Gibson including the best example "Tone Poets," versitility is more in the hands of the player. I think I understand what swampstomper means but I can't say versital because I realized I don't feel that way.

[danb]

I had a Lebeda for a couple years, my first decent F-holed mandolin. Mine was very loud, punchy and balanced compared to the Gibson tone which is more bluegrass and midrange. They're both very nice instruments