Help, What model is this Gibson?

[tomttomttomt]

Can't seem to find it. Serial number not readable. Has 5714 stamped on back of headstock..162309
Thanks

[MikeEdgerton]

I think there are some problems there. Can you get some closeups of the different parts of that mandolin? Is there a number stamped inside on the neck block? Have you got a picture of the label?

[HonketyHank]

Check out this thread on the same mandolin:
https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?135985-Alleged-Early-1900-F4

[MikeEdgerton]

Well, that thread displays most of the things I was concerned about. :cool:

[tomttomttomt]

Well, that thread displays most of the things I was concerned about. :cool:

162338

I bought it. Will post photos when it arrives

[HonketyHank]

Congratulations! It should be a great player after a little work.

[tomttomttomt]

Better photos.

[tomttomttomt]

Notice crumbling of binding on the headstock binding.
Gas off residue on about 10th to 20th fret.

Gass off on treble side of rosette and area under pickguard.
Can make out F2 on the label.
Can faintly see 54 on the label, and looks like ther was once a number before the 5 and maybe 2 numbers after the 4.
No FON found.
Very little crazing on finish.

I believe this same fretboard inlay was used on some 3 pointers. But 24 fret fret
boards.
Also same inlay on 74/75 F5's but f5 joins body at 15th fret.

I am no expert for sure but the crumbling binding seems to indicate very old.
Same for the gassing residue on frets.
And is it unusual to have birch sides and flame maple back on a F2?
Mystery grows.....

[MikeEdgerton]

I'm pretty sure that neck is a 60's or 70's neck. The crumbling binding would point to that era as well. I'm thinking it might have been a Gibson rebuild or repair.

[William Smith]

Yes that was a redone Gibson, It's an F-4 with a re-neck, Notice the flamed maple 3 piece neck, I've never seen an original maple neck on an F-2 or F-4 for that matter unless it was redone. It for sure also had a refinish and I'm guessing also 60's-70's? The fretboard inlay looks like the 70's F-5 inlay. Also there are worm under gear tuners on this that are hacked off at the bottom, the peghead was drilled for worm over the gear tuners. It's still a neat instrument to have.

[tomttomttomt]

Hard to see in photos but someone put a wedge shaped shim under fingerboard resulting in a nice steep neck angle. I suspect Gibson re-neck because of the quality craftmanship.
Screems Gubson to my eyes.
Original, value not important to me.
A player/keeper.
Thanks for all the input
Only thing got me stumped, does a 70's neck/refinish have enough time to show gas off damage?

[William Smith]

Yes 70's Gibson's are known for the binding crumbling and gassing out/off. Its still pretty kool!

[J.Albert]

That looks like an F-2 that had a neck replacement and body refinish at Gibson in the early 1970's....

[mrmando]

The offgas damage on the rosette is, I suspect, from the original pickguard.

I had myself convinced this was an original F4 until the peghead anomalies started to sink in.