I have a 2002 F9 with the light colored stain. There are a couple of finish issues on the top, but the sides have nice flame, and the back is slab sawn, but with decent figuring.
The question is would the value of the instrument be ruined, if I had it professionally done in black face or a dark sunburst.
I plan to keep it for a few more years before selling.
Post pics if you have it done.I have an 02 with the darker finish over figured wood. Lp
J.Lane Pryce
Never have been able to get a picture posted here. Using a very old Mac.
Thinking about "hot rodding" the thing out w/ a pickup and doing the black face to use as a stage instrument.
Something will have to be done with the finish one way or another to make it look right. the finish was touched up where the pickguard would have been, probably to smooth out playing marks. THe repaired area is much glossier than the satin finish on the rest of the instrument.
The question is, does the future value of a F9 warrant preservation as original, or would it matter much if it were refinished differently, just on the top.
Personally, I think it would increase its appeal, so I would think it wouldn't hurt the resale value. Given the option to buy two comprable instruments, I would buy the more unique one.
As I understand it the value will diminish somewhat if the original finish is modified.Maybe not as much if the guys in Nashville did the work.IMHO If the mandolin is a tone monster,and an easy player it will not matter that much if it has a new finish or not come time to resell. Lp
J.Lane Pryce
If you can I would suggest you just play it and don't worry about the looks. Any matte finished instrument will turn glossy where it is touched alot. I realize some people are more concerned with their instruments appearance than I but refinishing the top won't necessarily make it sound any better and the wrong finish can make it worse.
Good luck and remember that Mr. Monroes mando was beat up all sorts of ways but it sounded like he wanted it to.
a refinish of this instrument would probably not add value but would offset any depreciation of the instrument due to wear, damage to its present finish. this of course would be dependent on the quality of the refinish job, which is liable to cost you a good bit. best just to play and enjoy, call the wear "character" or road miles.
I'd look at it this way: if you were going to trade it in on something else, the dealer will more than likely take money off for any major modifications( except for hardware ). If it's non-original and not done by Gibson, I'll bet they will low-ball you.
--Prof PT
Don't hate me because I know how to spell and punctuate!
The Prof is right. Why not either put the pickgaurd back on, get a different smaller, pickguard, or trade your mando for something you can live with? I understand about living with something that you paid a ton of cash for, and it is'nt asthetically pleasing ...... That could be a thorn in the side...Kerry
I agree with the last two posts. Any dealer is bound reduce what they would offer if it has been refinished.
Why not have it retouched instead? Retouching, if well done, doesn't affect the value normally. An overly glossy area, can be made to match the rest of the finish. If that's the only issue then it could probably be sorted out quite cheaply.
Jon
Thanks for all the input.
For now, my luthier is going to attempt to blend in the retouched area. He is a while yet before getting his spray booth set up.
This instrument is not my main player, but just one of may instruments I have acquired.
I still may entertain the though of doing something different with it in the future.
Please let us know what you end up doing with it OK?...Kerry
Kerry,
I will. Glad to see someone else up early!
Gibson made upteengillion F9's and A9's, I don't see them going up in value anytime soon, fact is new ones (clearenced) have already dropped in price. Maybe in another 70 or 80 years, they'll be worth a bit. So in my opinion do whatever you want with the finish.
Lee
Kind of my thought on that as well. Being that they come with a minimal finish. Would not want to give it a heavy gloss coat.
Just a different look and a satin finish on the front, leaving the back and sides as is.
More into the playabilty and sound, but sometimes its cool to have something a little different without being too flashy.
Don't see any real harm in putting a little makeup on a plain girl.
Steve, hows about posting a few pics and maybe we can resurect this thread? How much money are we talking about anyway? Was it under 3k?...Kerry
S-in-T,
You bought these on the cheap. If you want a cool looking black face mandolin with a pickup, you could sell it, make $500.00 or so and then commission a builder to make you just what you want. Oh yeah, that would cost you over $5,000.00. Then again, you could invest a few additional hundred dollars on your F-9, get what you want and not spend so much. In the end, you'll still have a Gibson and a great story to tell the purists (not that there's anything wrong with being pure).
I have a feeling that the F-9 market in the next 20 years is not going up as a collectable. Then again, maybe folks thought the same way with the Flatiron 1N - ha.
Did I help?
f-d
ˇpapá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!
'20 A3, '84 1N, '84 A5-1, '06 Phoenix Bluegrass, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5
I have tried a few times to post photos. I think the problem is the age of my computer, and it's software. Upgrade is in the cards for this year, along w/ ProTools, etc.
The reason I consider dressing this up some is that I don't see the collectible value of the lowest model ever being a coveted prize, but more of a workhorse player.
I have acquired 3 F9s for between 1500-1600 each, and all are different in tone and appearance. Playability is pretty consistant after setups. One has "the" bluegrass tone, and I will never part with it.
One has a sweeter "consistent through the courses" tone that would be excellent for a recording instrument, and the latest has a real chirpy (as described by my luthier, who also said it was his favorite sounding), mid and high register, and a solid but not dominating bottom end.
The latest one in the one I am considering doing some upgrades to. It had an area on the face that was retouched a little too glossy. My luthier blended it in pretty well with some 1500 grit sandpaper.
The minimum I will do is add a McEntyre with a carpenter jack. Also have a Fishman 200 bridge pickup, and am researching the feasibility of wiring both together to one output.
If that all goes well, and it becomes great sounding plugged in, I might use it as my main stage instrument, and do some "personalization". Just the face, and probably more like a lightsunburst about 1 1/2" to 2 "wide, keeping th eoriginal shade at the center to match the back and sides since it has some nice grain.
This is a project in the thinking through before planning stages. Probably some cool military term for that.
Steve,
I like the idea of dressing up the old girl. I have an A9 that I think would be cool as a black top. I'm not sure how the black would be with the darker binding. I would prefer a white binding against the black top. I don't feel comfortable doing the finish myself so the cost of paying to have this done may prevent me from going beyond the fantasy!
Cabin Fever String Band, National Pike Pickers
Steve,
I have an F9 with the same shine on the place where the pick guard should be but your fingers rub anyway. #It does shine different than the rest, but it is primarily oil from the fingers and a little alcohol (GASP!) cuts it.
As to the value of the instrument, it is going up. #All the noise you hear about Gibson having made too many, clearence prices etc. is just that. #Give it a acouple years so that the public gets used to buying only from those exclusive dealers and only at top dollar and the price of these F9s will be in the high 2500.00s to 3000.00s. #Bank on it. #All Gibson are going up, up ,up and it is about time. #Lets get together sometime, I'm in Orlando.
What a long, strange trip its been.
Dan Linden
Well said Dan.I have an F9 that thumps and I doubt I'll ever get rid of because of the tone.It too has a big ole shiny place under the e strings and worn off finish on the edge of the treble F hole.Those wear marks impart maturity and personality.As far as a refinish goes if you plan on keeping it it does not matter if has been refnished.If there is a chance you may resale I would only let the boys in Nashville touch it and then only minimally. Lp
J.Lane Pryce
Dan!
We should try to hook up. Know some folks in O-Town area. Apopka and Celebration. plan on going up there this summer in the motor home and staying near Celebration, or in that Disney campground.
We also attend all the festivals at http://www.sertomayouthranch.com
Next one is the Will McLean Folk Festival the weekend of March 11-13. We will be on or around campsite 108.
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