Gibson F5G

**banjoboy** · May-03-2010, 9:51pm

Can somebody give me some information about Gibson F5G mandolins that were built in Montana in 1996? How are they different from Nashville Gibsons? Any pros, cons, etc?

**Big Joe** · May-04-2010, 9:46pm

Different carving and graduations, different neck joints, different finish, different hardware. The only real similarity is that they both use maple and spruce. Otherwise, they were built by the same company in two different locations at two different times by two different groups of people with two different philosophies to building mandolins. Montana produced some very good mandolins and one should be proud to have one. However, the Nashville ones were much closer to the original Gibson Loar models. I hope this helps distinguish the differences for you.

**banjoboy** · May-05-2010, 1:18am

Originally Posted by Big Joe

Different carving and graduations, different neck joints, different finish, different hardware. The only real similarity is that they both use maple and spruce. Otherwise, they were built by the same company in two different locations at two different times by two different groups of people with two different philosophies to building mandolins. Montana produced some very good mandolins and one should be proud to have one. However, the Nashville ones were much closer to the original Gibson Loar models. I hope this helps distinguish the differences for you.

Thanks for your response. There are two mandos in my area. A 2009 F5G (3000.00) and a 1996 F5G (2400.00). I haven't been able to play the 1996 model, but the 2009 model was pretty nice. I have a Weber Yellowstone and thought that the 1996 F5G might be more like my Weber. I'll have to play it to see what it's like.

**Mike Snyder** · May-05-2010, 2:38am

The Yellowstone and the F5G, while comparable in price and design, are actually quite different in voice and feel. I have a close friend who plays a Yellowstone, and have had the pleasure of playing both side by side. Weber does not aim for a "Gibson" voicing, in my opinion. It is a more modern sound, perhaps a little more evenly balanced, across the board. The Gibson is a bull in the midrange, more piercing in the treble, and growly in the bass. Obviously, I'm giving a poor description of the sounds, but the Yellowstone sound is similar to Collings and several more modern makers. It is always a beautifully made instrument. The necks tend to be stout and round, which is a deal killer for me. My F5G measures just under 1 1/16" at the nut, with a rounded V shape to the neck. I love my Gibson, it is perfect for me. My pal loves his Yellowstone, and pulls wonderful tone from it. Different, they are, but both good. I got mine new, and I can tell you that the sound after five years of hard playing is much, much bigger than first out of the box, and it was pretty big, even then.

**Bernie Daniel** · May-12-2010, 5:50am

Wouldn't be correct to say that the Montana Gibson F5G would sound a lot like the Flatirons built next to them? As I recall the F5G was the same as the Flatiron Festival -- just different coloration and inlay.
I have never played one of those Montana Gibsons (or Flatirons) that I did not think was a great mandolin. I would like to play one along side a Nashville Gibson to compare sometime.
I do agree the Gibson is a different sound than the Weber -- albeit both are great. I have always felt going from Collings to Weber to Gibson that you start with dominance in the treble end (Collings) and end with dominating bass end (Gibson). The Webers might have the best all around balance?

**Big Joe** · May-12-2010, 6:56am

The Flatiron and Gibsons from Montana usually had a somewhat different tone. There were differences in the way they were built until they merged in Nashville. That ultimately led to the demise of the Flatiron nameplate as a USA made product. Whether the tone of the Montana mandolin or Nashville mandolin was very different would be dependent upon each individual mandolin. I have heard some great F5G mandolins from Montana but they were often a bit thinner tonally than the Nashville models. The Nashville models may be a bit louder as well. The Nashville models were a bit more focused in the tone range considered typically Gibson.

All that being said, each mandolin stands on its own. I have not heard an F5G made either place that was not or could not be made a good mandolin with a bit of setup. The F5G is a lot of mandolin for the buck. It offers the tone and playability of the more expensive Fern (F5L) model with less binding and inlay. Sometimes the G model actually sounds better than its higher priced sisters. I have never quite figured out why that would be the case. After the more expensive models break it the difference seems to fade, but often the G when new seems better than the Fern and its signature model sisters.

Whether you find a good Montana or Nasvhillle F5G would not make a world of difference in its value and not usually a lot of difference in the way they play and the tone is such a subjective thing that one would have to determine for themself if it is what they like. I don't think one could go wrong in purchasing either model. Personally I would prefer the Nashville made model because it fits my philosophy in how a mandolin should be constructed more than the Montana ones did. Still, I did have a Montana Flatiron as my first really good mandolin that I finally traded for an F5L. I liked the Flatiron better and have always been sorry I got rid of it. It was a great mandolin for that price range. When I got my first Gilchrist it kind of made my Flatiron a distant memory. Not apples for apples though.