Here's the new gibson victorian f-style mandolin

[gatorgabe]

In case you haven’t seen the new Gibson Victorian F-Style mandolin yet, here’s the link to their website with information on it. I saw it for the first time this morning, and it is very, very sweet! I guess it combines the the qualities of the F4 and F5, but it looks great and I bet it sounds even better. What I can’t believe is that they’re only going to make 15 of them ... at least that’s what the article says. I’m going to try and get my hands on one ... I’ve been looking to upgrade my old A5 for quite some time and this may just be the one to do it with. Also, has anyone tried the Garrison mandolins? I heard the company was just purchased by Gibson ... let me know.
Here’s the link ... enjoy!
By the way, you guys run a great site!!

http://www.gibson.com/en%2Dus....ureinst

[MikeEdgerton]

...Also, has anyone tried the Garrison mandolins? I heard the company was just purchased by Gibson ... let me know...

Yes, they just purchased them back in July of 2007.

Garrison Thread

[MikeEdgerton]

You know, I just don't get it. I keep reading that this is a mix between the F4 and the F5 but it looks like an F5 with the torch and wire inlay on the headstock and the pickguard clamp from an F4. I just don't see that as much of a mix. Maybe I'm way off base. Have you actually seen one of these yet? The pictures in the other thread running this morning looked a little rough. Not up to Gibson's usual high quality.

[Ken Sager]

Marketing.

Harkening back to a time before the advancements used on this mandolin (truss rod, F-holes, 15-fret neck, elevated fingerboard)?

It has three similarities to mandolins of the period: The Gibson name, the pickguard clamp, and color of the stain on the back.

Pure marketing.

[Caleb]

Beautiful.

[MikeEdgerton]

It has three similarities to mandolins of the period: The Gibson name, the pickguard clamp, and color of the stain on the back.

OK, then I'm not crazy.... well maybe I am anyway.

You'd think they would have stayed with the oval hole and actually produced something for the old time or classical market. I don't know where this thing is meant to be sold.

[wannabethile]

i saw one of these in person during SPGMA in nashville. david harvey was doing a workshop of sorts with tim may and he pulled this prototype out and played it and described it. darn it, it was sweet!! it sounded really great, looked really great, and is really great. its about time for something different from gibson, as far as im concerned. now gimme one!!

[Gutbucket]

I guess they figure the F-5 market is bigger. I played this new Gibson and loved it. The earlier picture didn't really do it justice. It isn't as rough as it looks. And it sounded like an old Gibson should. I'd love to get one, but can't swing it by a long shot.

[MikeEdgerton]

That's kind of my point. Everyone knows I'm a Gibson fan, but an F5 with a different headstock inlay and pickguard clamp just doesn't seem F4ish to me. Call it what it is, an F5.

This would have been killer with an oval hole.

[Mr. Loar]

That's kind of my point. Everyone knows I'm a Gibson fan, but an F5 with a different headstock inlay and pickguard clamp just doesn't seem F4ish to me. Call it what it is, an F5.

This would have been killer with an oval hole.

I so agree. Let's see an oval hole model for sale. How much for the one pictured?

[steve V. johnson]

One can do a lot with 'retro' designation and marketing if one only has to sell -15- of 'em, no matter how nice it is.

stv

[JEStanek]

First post in this thread states $15-16k.

Jamie

[John Hill]

Ahhh...the old P.T. Barnum signature model.

[F5GRun]

Very Nice...Im with mike tho. To my eye thats an F-5. I could see it being more of a "hybrid" if it did have an oval hole. Does anyone know the bracing used? Maybe X-type bracing would make it more of a "hybrid" or at least more of a departure from the "standard" tone bar braced F-5 style


As for Garrison...Well I have never played one of their mandolins, I have played a bunch of their guitars a local shop, and did not like a single one. They use that weird fiber-glass bracing unit which rubs me the wrong way. I wont get into it because im sure that could start a whole new thread. But I like the fact of a guitar or mandolin to be all wood. It will be interesting to see what gibson does with it if anything.

[MikeEdgerton]

Ahhh...the old P.T. Barnum signature model.

Ok, warn me before you do that next time.

[Marc Berman]

That's kind of my point. Everyone knows I'm a Gibson fan, but an F5 with a different headstock inlay and pickguard clamp just doesn't seem F4ish to me. Call it what it is, an F5.

This would have been killer with an oval hole.

I was just on Gibson's web site and that's what they call it, F-5 Victorian. So what you are buying is a limited edition F-5 with some F4 aesthetics.

[John Hill]

Ahhh...the old P.T. Barnum signature model.

Ok, warn me before you do that next time. #

That's a big 10-4.

Actually the new mando doesn't look bad in the pics from the above link. But still...$15K? Nah.

[MikeEdgerton]

I was just on Gibson's web site and that's what they call it, F-5 Victorian. So what you are buying is a limited edition F-5 with some F4 aesthetics.

Let me quote the Gibson site:

"Today, Gibson Original is introducing one mandolin that takes advantage of the best attributes from both the F5 and the F4 mandolin—the new Limited Gibson Victorian F-style mandolin."

The only attributes here from the F4 are the headstock inlay (and that wasn't on all F4's), the color on the back, and the pickguard clamp. That's the best the F4 had to offer? What about Handel tuners? What about that tubby oval hole sound?

We have some cosmetics here. If we put the Rolls Royce hood ornament on a Yugo and say we are combining the best of both automobiles, are we really doing that? I think not.

I'm sure this is a fine F5, I wouldn't expect anything else of Gibson. I just think they've stretched it a bit.

[F5GRun]

Wow Handel Tuners would have been a nice touch..probably would be 17K tho.

[JHo]

I kind of like the look of it. However, if I were in a position to spend that kind of money ($15k+) on a single mandolin, and if I were looking for a Gibson, I think I'd sooner get myself a DMM.

[Santiago]

I think it's great that Gibson's making small lots of specialty instruments. Developing other types of mandolins gives them more of an ability to innovate within the F5 concept, and the limited edition nature of a small-run is great for their reputation, etc. Its good luthery(sp?) and it's good business.

[Ken Olmstead]

I kind of like the look of it. #However, if I were in a position to spend that kind of money ($15k+) on a single mandolin, and if I were looking for a Gibson, I think I'd sooner get myself a DMM.

Amen brother!!

[JimRichter]

You know, I just don't get it. I keep reading that this is a mix between the F4 and the F5 but it looks like an F5 with the torch and wire inlay on the headstock and the pickguard clamp from an F4. I just don't see that as much of a mix. Maybe I'm way off base. Have you actually seen one of these yet? The pictures in the other thread running this morning looked a little rough. Not up to Gibson's usual high quality.

I'm with you, Mike. I scratch my head on this one too. Obviously just a marketing ploy without much "Victorian" substance.

And by the way, wasn't the Victorian period over by the 1913?

Jim

[JHo]

...And by the way, wasn't the Victorian period over by the 1913?

That's just a minor technicality.

[Timbofood]

It's kind of pretty but, a run of 15? Seems a little "Greatest Show on Earth" to me too..
"Hurry, hurry, step right up"