Gibson F-9

[Coy Wylie]

I am about ready to upgrade from a MK to an American-made instrument. I don't live in an area where there are many mandolins, especially good ones to try out personally. I like f-styles and the plain-jane looks of the F-9 appeal to me. I know anything with "Gibson" on the headstock will make later resale easier. I have a lead on a good used one, but I have not pulled the trigger yet.

If you have experience with this model, what is your opinion of it. Do you think this would be a good "next-step" for me and what should I expect to pay for a good used one?

[jcs271]

It would be a great next step, I have seen them used for $1850-2100. All were in exc. condition. Good Luck!

[Greenmando]

I have a A9 and I love it, used to have the MK. I also have a Flatiron F. The F9 is a great choice. In the same price range as a Flatiron F as well, both are great Gibsons. As long as you take care of them they should hold their value if not gain.

[jlb]

Depending on where you live, I'd recommend finding a local luthier to build you an f-style. It is not uncommon to find a local luthier who will build you a fine sounding mandolin with a varnish finish and fully bound in your price range. Plus you will have the added pleasures of dealing with a luthier from scratch,and also of constributing to your local economy.

But you'd really want to check out the luthiers work first.

If you are heart-stricken by the Gibson name, consider an A-9, and whatever you decide, consider buying one used. I've noticed a trend of decreasing asking price for instruments lately on the used market, so now might be a good time to go used vs. new.

[Dioptase]

I recently upgraded from a used MK firefly to an A9... and the difference is -immense-. I chose the A over the F for financial reasons, but if you have the added cash-- go for it. I really love the A9, and the sound on mine is just massive... and clean.

Local luthier is not a bad idea in the price range, if you'd consider going for an A style. I know Keith Newell in Oregon -had- some F styles in a similar price range as well... I certainly like the idea of supporting your local economy and a small business. The F mando pictured on Keith's website is a real beauty, with a similar no frills look to the F9, at a similar price.

But the A9 had the look and sound I'd have asked for in a custom instrument. It met my needs for an archtop F holed instrument, but to each his own. I'm considering having my blank fretboard inlayed with Turquoise and Lapis.
Micah

[GBG]

Willard, I don't know exactly where you live, but there is a builder in New Caney, TX, outside of Houston name of Roy Marsh. You can find his email address in the Builders section on MC. I've heard one of his F styles and it sounded real good.

[Greenmando]

The dollar is strong in Australia, King Brown makes a fine custom F. Even after duties and shipping it should be reasonable.

[Willie]

Williard...I haven`t been on here in some time, lately I have come across three F-9`s and they are great sounding mandos, in my opinion Gibson started these to take the place of the no frills Flatiron Festival...More money for the Gibson name....I haven`t played an A-9 but I`m sure they are the same good sound that is coming from all of the Gibsons now days...The sound of a mando is what you want and not what I or any other person thinks...You might not be playing the same music as I am and therefore you might like something different...Good luck, don`t be afraid to try a lot of axes though, when the right one comes along it will knock your socks off.....Remember all of that special binding and inlays don`t make a better sounding instrument, it might help when you want to resell it though...Willie

[Bowzette]

I just got a used F-9 yesterday. It sounds really good even with worn out strings. with new strings the top end should sound even better. chop is great. In my opinion the tone and volume compares with much more expensive mandolins. The finish of course does not. But that is why the "9" series is a lot cheaper. If you don't want the scroll, you will save even more with an "A".

[Nolan]

F-9 = really good mandolin. Buy used and get your money back when you're ready to buy a mandolin with more binding and dots!

[KevinM]

I have played a brand new F-9, and own a Nashville Flatiron Festival F ("NFFF"). If you are looking at an F-9, without hesitation I recommend the NFFF for one reason - it is at least the equal of the F-9 and the used prices right now are comparatively low, trading significantly below $2K. The NFFF is more equivalent (again in my view) to the Gibson F-5G, which is a considerable price step up from the F-9. Your used price for the Flatiron should remain stable or increase over time, so you can trade up. And it has a fretboard extension, thin lacquer finish, fretboard inlay dots and the whole shebang.

[Coy Wylie]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I had spotted a good used F9 at a reasonable price but it was snapped up before I made my mind up. I'm going to keep my eyes open for another opportunity and check out the NFFF as well. Thanks again.

Willard, if a industrial finish, cheap tuners, dotless fretboard & binding that will shred your arm appeal to you.......then the F9 is your mando.......But hey, I constantly read here that "it's all about tone" & everything else is just fluff. Remember that awesome Gibson warranty is NOT transferable to the second owner.
But, Charlie & Big Joe are great about taking care of Gibson owners. It seems the "Sirens song" of the scroll leads many down the primrose path..........IMHO

[mandobsessed]

I don't know what all the complaining about the tuners on the 9 series is about. My A9 tunes quickly and easily and stays in tune despite the thrashing I give it. What else can you ask of tuners?

Look at the tuners on the Collings no frills A.....or most any other mando at the F9's pricepoint........

[JimW]

Willard, don't let the "nay say'ers" persuade you. You get out there and play as many mandolins as you possibly can. If it's the scroll that you want, then by all means look at the F9, MK line up, and there are a few independent luthiers that build in your range. What I would do is probably look at my budget, then do some research of what is available in that range and then let the fun begin. Play as many of each brand as you possibly can and I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for.

I just bought a used F9 3 days ago, and I'll have to tell you, it's the best value I've seen in what I look for in a mandolin. Tone, playability, and did I mention tone? That dry, woody, crisp bluegrass sound, the F9 has it. Also, I don't think I'd worry to much about the industrial finish, I actually like that look, sort of a vintage look with nice wood graining, the binding, also, no difference than other bindings, other than color, and then those damn dots. I'll tell you, old Dale must play his mandolin like a dobro or something, otherwise, those dot's on the fingerboard don't make any difference. You still have the marker dots running on the side of the fret board, so the player, that is if you're playing the mandolin in the traditional way and not like a dobro, can see and use these dots for position markers.


Jim Watts

What's the matter Jim, afraid to take that Bush out of the house & picked up the F9 for a beater .......

Jim, kudos for mentioning playability.....but our opinions on that sure differ as well!

[JimW]

Actually Dale, the Sam Bush is going in for a varnish finish, and I bought the F9 to play so I wouldn't have to take the Loar out of the house while my Sam Bush is having a make over.

Jim

[Ted Eschliman]

C'mon guys, let's cut Dale a little slack on the dot thing.
With his unique playing stance, it IS important for him to be able to see them on the fretboard while he's playing. Especially when he takes his axe to play on coffee breaks at his part time job...
ringing the bells at Notre Dame.

[JimW]

Dale, start reading the posts better, I didn't say the Loar was actually mine, I said "the Loar", while it does belong to my uncle, I have the arduous job of keeping the damn thing played in, keeping it clean, and making sure it has nice strings on it all the time. Oh, I get to keep it home with me to ensure all these tasks are completed in a timely manner as well.

I know, a dirty job, but someone's got to do it.

Jim

[JimW]

I've posted some pictures of my recently acquired Gibson F9 here for those that are interested.

Jim Watts

Hey Jim, that mauve chair really brings out the understated industrial elegance of that mando......the subtle shade of BROWN, the clean fretboard unfettered by dots or any ornamentation, it's true raw Gibson-ness......yep, that's an F9 all right!.............list price $3250

[Tom C]

Dale, You are cracking me up!
Keep 'um rollin'

[pickinNgrinnin]

Yea Dale, tell us how you really feel about the F9

[mandobsessed]

Never mind the F9, I want that chair!