Thoughts on the Gibson F9?

[Joe Dodson]

Curious to hear the collective wisdom on this model. I dropped out of the mandolin tribe a few years back, and I'm thinking about trading a guitar that doesn't get a lot of play for a new-to-me 2008 F9. I'd appreciate any advice on what to look for.

[texaspaul]

I had an F-9 and 2 A-9s they played great and sounded wonderful . But I wanted something with just little more ornamentation.

[Joe Dodson]

Lucky for my wallet, I prefer less ornamentation. What did you think of the tone and playability?

[Astro]

I'd speculate the collective's general impression would be quite favorable. Although any individual mandolin could be great, or a clunker, or anything in between, as a group the F9's have the rep of giving all that great classic Gibson tone without the high price of their fancier cousins. The only thing that kept me from targeting one back when I was looking was that in those years the F9's did not have marker dot on the fret board and I needed those landmarks and still like having them. But if you can live without the dots, and you like the tone and volume then I'd go for it. (The newer F9's for the last couple of years do have fret marker dots now.)

[goose 2]

I have a Master Model and an A-9. I love the A-9. It just sounds good. I have played quite a few f-9 s and have never been disappointed. I have played a few that were amazingly good and have not run across anything at that price point that sounds as good.

[Dave Hanson]

I have one, it's not pretty but it sounds fabulous.

Dave H

[William Smith]

I talked with Dennis at the Mandolin Store and talkin mandos like us freaks do he said that all the new F-9's will have sunburst tops,body binding and dot fingerboard inlays!.

[carleshicks]

My Dad bought a used 2006 F9 about a year ago and it is an exceptionally amazing instrument. It will hold its own with my 2002 Master Model. I cannot go to his house without playing it, each time i am amazed that it was only $2100. It has lots of volume with tones of tone "color", it's mid range rings just like a Gibson F-5 should, and it has a great bark when chucking chords.

[Br1ck]

I've only played three and they ranged from good to very, very good, correlating to age. The new one was the best. In my limited experience, the only mandolins I've played that sounded like a Gibson was a Gibson.

[Upis Land]

I like mine. (2002)

[f5loar]

From what I have played and seen, these are made by Gibson USA but with a thinner finish and lighter weight than the F5L. That contributes to the sound. If you can get over the fancy dressing and finish, they are great mandolins from Gibson Co.

[lflngpicker]

I had one for a while. A great mandolin for the $2500-3000 price tag. Truly a Gibson Master Model and has the wonderfully tuned sound put there by great luthiers. I think the action and tone are better on my custom shop J Bovier F5 Tradition-plus, but Jeff Cowherd puts so much personal time and attention into voicing and set up to the specs of the buyer that his instruments in the high teens $'s are competitive players. I do however, miss the F-9. That name on the peghead is important for some of us.

[Bill Kammerzell]

I had one for a while. A great mandolin for the $2500-3000 price tag. Truly a Gibson Master Model and has the wonderfully tuned sound put there by great luthiers. I think the action and tone are better on my custom shop J Bovier F5 Tradition-plus, but Jeff Cowherd puts so much personal time and attention into voicing and set up to the specs of the buyer that his instruments in the high teens $'s are competitive players. I do however, miss the F-9. That name on the peghead is important for some of us.

I don't have a JBovier F5, but I do have a recent A I got from Jeff. I agree that Jeff puts a lot in the voicing and set up. Dollar for dollar his stuff is some of the best. Just did purchase a 2002 F-9 and have not received it yet.

[Michael Eck]

Got my 2004 from MandoMutt. Just a great instrument with no reservations.

[dwc]

I know it varies from instrument to instrument, but does anyone have an opinion about how the current, more ornate, F9 stacks up tonally with the stripped down bare bones model from the early to mid 2000's?

[Joe Dodson]

Just wanted to drop in and say thanks for the input. Y'all are giving me MAS.

[dhmando]

From what I have played and seen, these are made by Gibson USA but with a thinner finish and lighter weight than the F5L. That contributes to the sound. If you can get over the fancy dressing and finish, they are great mandolins from Gibson Co.

The F-9s are actually built at the Gibson Custom Shop by the same folks that build all the Gibson Mandolins, my crew and I!
The thinner satin finish gives the F-9 a wonderful, open sound right out of the box!
JoeD, I'm sure you will be very pleased if you choose an F-9!

[ccravens]

I would say to play it if you can.

Hate to be the voice of dissent, but I've played a number of F9s and owned one for over a year before selling it. I've found that some are really good, and others, including mine, not as much.

Of course it may depend on the year? Mine was an early 2000s (sorry I can't remember the exact year). Like you, I prefer the less-ornamentation look of the F9.

So my advice would be to play before you buy, if that's possible.

[dhergert]

I've got a 2002 F-9 that has been my main player for the last 7 years or so. I received it 2nd hand in a trade. From what I've heard in comparing it with other instruments, it has the same wonderful Gibson bark and growl, the same balanced tone and strong volume as I've heard from similar era F5G mandolins.

My 2002 F-9 was built with what I like to call "rustic" finish work quality. There are a number of external finish work areas which obviously weren't given a lot of time. None of those are functional areas and as said, the tone and volume are wonderful, but if someone is looking for a "boutique quality" looking instrument, they might look further because of these "rustic" characteristics. The 2002 F-9s were also provided with a thin finish, which is part of the F-9s out-of-the-box tone equation, but it also means the finish is easily marred. Personally I really like the thin finish, but I also have some marks and honest wear in it that I have regretted.

I've seen recent F-9s from David Harvey's shop that do not have this same "rustic" quality, so I'm guessing that special effort, time and techniques are being employed to "dress-up" the F-9 mandolins now. I've also read a number of excellent reviews of these recent F-9s.

My F-9 has had some changes since 2002, in addition to honest playing wear... I've added a full-size ebony pick-guard, a ToneGard and an ebony armrest. About 2 weeks ago I had this instrument re-fretted using Evo-Gold banjo-size frets, and at that time I had the neck V-profile gently rounded (to give comfort to my left thumb), the neck speed-necked and French-polished (since I had worn most of the "Vintage Brown" finish off of the back of the neck anyway), and basically had the instrument professionally setup. This work was expertly done for me by Austin Clark while he was working in the Luthier's Workshop at the 2017 Grass Valley Father's Day Bluegrass Festival. This F-9 now has greater volume and it plays like butter. I guess the original fine frets on this instrument were really badly worn because I can actually do some techniques now that I was not able to cleanly execute before.

I really like this F-9's original "Vintage Brown" finish combined with the black binding; if I were to order a new F-9 from David's shop, I'd request the same finish. I'd also ask for a full-size pickguard and Evo-gold banjo-size frets, and I'd request a very gentle, moderated-V neck profile and a speed neck. I might also request a mildly radiused fingerboard, or at least I'd talk with David about that.

The recommendation to try before you buy is a good one... Typical things people compare for are tone, volume and playability, plus sufficient looks that the bling-search is satisfied. With those things in mind, I'd seriously consider an early F-9 (2002-2004), or a recent Harvey workshop F-9 again if I needed to replace mine.

158513 158512

[tiltman]

I had a 2002 F-9 for about a year and really liked the tone and volume - as stated above.
It had fret markers on the side of the neck - where you can see them and they are useful. Did not have dots on the fret board and the plain finish - really liked the looks of it.
Unfortunately, it had a very narrow neck - exactly 1 inch at the nut - with a pronounced V-shape. My hand couldn't get used to it so I moved the mandolin along...still kind of miss it.
I'm picky about neck size/shape - if you are too I would definitely recommend you try before you buy. My understanding is that the necks are individually carved so there is some variation.

Kirk

[Bill Kammerzell]

I love the 2002 F-9 I just purchased. I believe I got a really fine deal on it, paying midway between 1500 to 2000 dollars for it. Just sounds great. The nut measures 1 1/16" which is fine with me as its a flat fretboard and I've really gotten used to radius boards. I regards to that it isn't a a really skinny neck though. More of a V profile and it fits my hand nicely. The chop sound is great and picking is easy. The sound on a solo really carries. I am very impressed with it. If it has that "Typical Gibson sound," then I love that "typical Gibson sound. :) First real Gibson I have owned outside of a 1964 A-40 which seemed more like a novelty item to me. This to me is a real Gibson and I'm real glad I purchased it. The price might have been higher, had it not been for a small cosmetic flaw, just above the bridge, treble side. The light finish had worn, down to wood, where the previous owner had apparently placed the end of his pinkie finger while playing. He was the original owner, and the rest of the mandolin was nicely kept, including the original case. :)

[dang]

Unfortunately, it had a very narrow neck - exactly 1 inch at the nut - with a pronounced V-shape. My hand couldn't get used to it so I moved the mandolin along...still kind of miss it.
I'm picky about neck size/shape - if you are too I would definitely recommend you try before you buy. My understanding is that the necks are individually carved so there is some variation.

Kirk
I was going to say this exactly, great mando, too narrow a fretboard for my sausage fingers! And it's a flat board, so I found it unforgiving.

[dhergert]

I'm encouraged to see I'm not the only one with a problem with the V-profile. The fleshy tip of my left thumb would ache while playing, right where I anchor it over the back of the neck; I must have an errant nerve there or something...

Now that I've had that V-proflie gently rounded, thumb pain is gone for me, plus the wider and taller frets have made a huge difference for my fingers in playing comfort and note clarity.

As mentioned, I had largely worn through most of the finish on the back of the neck, so after the V-profile was reduced, a speed neck was the natural direction. It is well sealed with the french polish and actually dresses up the instrument nicely.

[John Kinn]

I owned a 2003 A9 for some years, but could not adjust to the neck. It was loud, but I found out that I actually prefered the tone on my 1949 A40, so the A9 got sold.

[dhergert]

Just noticed a very good price for a 2002 F-9 at Carter's if a person doesn't mind a mandolin with a repaired headstock scroll (https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/112648#112648). If I lived anywhere near Carter's I'd be trying this mandolin out. Not that I need another mandolin, but this one is almost inexpensive enough to have as a backup. (Although then I'd want to replace the frets, I'm spoiled with wide evo frets now.)

[J.Albert]

Don wrote:
"Just noticed a very good price for a 2002 F-9 at Carter's"

The headstock scroll break is very cleanly repaired and not too noticeable.

The back on that one has a lot of figure, and overall the instrument looks to be very clean.

The price is reasonable, too.

[Bill Kammerzell]

Just noticed a very good price for a 2002 F-9 at Carter's if a person doesn't mind a mandolin with a repaired headstock scroll (https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/112648#112648). If I lived anywhere near Carter's I'd be trying this mandolin out. Not that I need another mandolin, but this one is almost inexpensive enough to have as a backup. (Although then I'd want to replace the frets, I'm spoiled with wide evo frets now.)

Saw that one. Not bad. I got one recently for a little less, with a small finish blemish. Here's one at Carter's that seems a little pricey.

https://cartervintage.com/collections/gibson-mandolins/products/2002-gibson-f-9?variant=21769888387

[darylcrisp]

my reply will not help you directly as my F9 is recent(2016), has larger "modern" size fretwire(I have not measured it to see the exact size, but I'm thinking its similar to Collings or Weber currently), radius fretboard, dot inlay and side dots on the FB, and 1 5/32" nut width. Fit and finish is superb. No different than Collings(which is my standard compare for fit and finish). Tone is excellent, can be played soft and easy and still retains excellent note quality, or loud-and it can get loud-but still retains excellent note quality and doesn't get harsh or trashy. Came with the best stock setup I've encountered-all I did was adjust the relief and the saddle height. Probably earns the most easy to play mandolin I've owned, and I've owned some top shelf quality instruments(Collings, Weber, Northfield). The outside look and appearance is clean and smooth. Its just a great mandolin, the best I've had my hands on.
It came from ThemandolinStore and I was told it may have been the first F9 with the combo of whats on it(wider nut, larger frets, radius FB). I think TMS is ordering F9's with the same specs nowadays.

good luck on your hunt/purchase
d

[AlanN]

Just picked up a 2015 F-9, signed by David Harvey. Good tone, good feel, easy playing, lightweight - all the things I like. Needs some fret care and likely will get a Weber trad bridge installed.

[Mandosurf]

AlanN, I also own a 2015 Gibson F9. Signed by Dave Harvey January 14, 2015. Had it almost a year, I think it’s an incredible bluegrass mandolin!
Deep chop, dry and punchy midrange and strong highs. This is my 3rd F9 and it’s definitely the strongest, deepest one I’ve played. Notes just pop and have an almost bulbous, fat sound all the way up the neck. The 2002 F9 I owned was very nice, a lot more dry and midrange heavy, but lacking the bass and complexity of the newer F9. This 2015 beat out my 1985 flatiron A5 that I owned and loved for 5 years, didn’t play it much after acquiring this F9 so I sold the Flatiron.
I was fortunate to spend a day at Carter Vintage in Nashville last September, my F9 in tote so I could A-B it with a bunch of amazing mandolins. Honestly there were only a few mandolins I preferred tonally more than the F9.. One of them was a 2012 Voight A5 that had been there awhile (4 years?) that was a killer. Great volume and tone, varnish finish with incredible craftsmanship. Preferred it to 2 Ellis A5’s and many others, so I bought it.
After playing the Voight and F9 often for a few months, I found that I enjoyed the smaller nut width and neck carve, along with the deep chop and volume of the F9, so I sold the Voight.

All that to say that I love this F9!!
My MAS will never end for a high end varnished F5 someday, but I will always keep this great, blue collar mandolin.
David Harvey has been building great mandolins with his team at Gibson for years (10?) now so I highly recommend any mandolin with his signature on it.

Cheers mando friends!

[Pilot172000]

AlanN, I also own a 2015 Gibson F9. Signed by Dave Harvey January 14, 2015. Had it almost a year, I think it’s an incredible bluegrass mandolin!
Deep chop, dry and punchy midrange and strong highs. This is my 3rd F9 and it’s definitely the strongest, deepest one I’ve played. Notes just pop and have an almost bulbous, fat sound all the way up the neck. The 2002 F9 I owned was very nice, a lot more dry and midrange heavy, but lacking the bass and complexity of the newer F9. This 2015 beat out my 1985 flatiron A5 that I owned and loved for 5 years, didn’t play it much after acquiring this F9 so I sold the Flatiron.
I was fortunate to spend a day at Carter Vintage in Nashville last September, my F9 in tote so I could A-B it with a bunch of amazing mandolins. Honestly there were only a few mandolins I preferred tonally more than the F9.. One of them was a 2012 Voight A5 that had been there awhile (4 years?) that was a killer. Great volume and tone, varnish finish with incredible craftsmanship. Preferred it to 2 Ellis A5’s and many others, so I bought it.
After playing the Voight and F9 often for a few months, I found that I enjoyed the smaller nut width and neck carve, along with the deep chop and volume of the F9, so I sold the Voight.

All that to say that I love this F9!!
My MAS will never end for a high end varnished F5 someday, but I will always keep this great, blue collar mandolin.
David Harvey has been building great mandolins with his team at Gibson for years (10?) now so I highly recommend any mandolin with his signature on it.

Cheers mando friends!

I had a 2002 F9 earlier in my playing career and lived it but let it slip away. I recently bought an 02 A9 which also had that great sound but I found the frets to be small in comparison to my Ratliff. With you experience with both an 02 and a 15 model, were the fret sizes different?

[Mandosurf]

I had a 2002 F9 earlier in my playing career and lived it but let it slip away. I recently bought an 02 A9 which also had that great sound but I found the frets to be small in comparison to my Ratliff. With you experience with both an 02 and a 15 model, were the fret sizes different?

All standard F9’s come with the traditional small fretwire. I did have larger Evo frets installed on my 2015 f9 by Bobby Wintringham in Colorado and he did a great job! But I don’t mind the small fretwire either

[bahed]

I'm playing my F9 - Dec. 19, 2017 David Harvey signed Mando purchased new from TMS in the summer of 2018. I trusted people like you on this forum and the honesty of the folks (Dennis and Bryan) at TMS. I had gone a stretch where I had so many mandolins, one after another - and they were always missing something in the sound... and some were well broken in. I got a great deal on this one because it wasn't selling. It's Desert Burst #2 and yeah, it's not a very attractive color combo with a medium-brown center and darker brown/grey hue burst around the perimeter. It's an ugly duckling for sure! It has the wide nut, which is appreciated by someone that mostly plays a '37 Martin Authentic (2014 - no bake top), 1-3/4" wide nut! I miss the look of the panhandle on the end of the FB, but if this was an A9, burst and sounded like this one I'd love it too! I'm all about the sound and people that play know this one sounds like a Gibson mandolin should. Well done Nashville Cats!!