Gibson F5L

[Dave Hanson]

What does the ' L ' in Gibson F5L stand for.

I've just acquired an F5L and have no idea what the L stands for.

Great instrument BTW signed by Steve Carlson in 1990 almost 28 years old and looks brand new.

Dave H

[trevor]

Hi Dave,

Glad you like it. I beleive its Loar, siginfying Loar specs, but others with more expertise on Gibsons will come in I'm sure.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Hi Dave - I'm pleased that you went for the Gibson - it looked to be a very nice instrument indeed. As Trevor says,it was meant to signify it being built to 'Loar' specs. - but ''which Loar'' ?. They were all different. The bottom line is does it sound good ?,
Ivan;)

[Dave Hanson]

It sounds fabulous Ivan, thanks for the heads up, and great service again from Trevor at TAMCO.

Dave H

[William Smith]

I believe in 1978 when Gibson reconfigured the F-5, they were trying to get back to the early days of the "Loar" type construction so that's where the L came into play.
Pretty much all L's are great sounding, I had a 1980 that was Wayne Benson's but the original owner thought it wasn't up to potential so it was re graduated by? I don't remember, maybe Bob Shue? Great Score if you is happy!

[multidon]

So what”s the G in F5G stand for then? Maybe it means “good enough”, as in “Only a Gibson is good enough”?

[MikeZito]

Congratulations on the F5L . . . but I am just stunned at the fact that 1990 was 28 years ago!

Damn, I'm getting old . . . .

[MikeEdgerton]

OK, these questions were answered by Roger Siminoff (the L stands for Loar) and Bruce Weber (the G stands for Gibson). The original messages are here on the cafe someplace. There is a Cafe member that will pop in at some time and say that the L stands for Lacquer. He always does and he will be wrong as he always has been. Siminoff was there for the creation of the F5L and Weber was there for the creation of the F5G. I'm going to believe those two gentlemen.

By the way, I believe Steve Carlson confirmed the F5G information in a later post.

[MikeEdgerton]

I offered the idea that we could call this "new" instrument the "F-5L" - the "L" in honor of Master Lloyd Loar.

The Siminoff article is here (https://www.mandolincafe.com/news/publish/mandolins_001217.shtml).


Just received a text from Bruce that reads: "I came up with the F5G. The G stands for Gibson."

The thread attributing the G from Bruce Weber is here (https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?82450-The-F5G-and-Steve-Carlson&p=1022257&viewfull=1#post1022257). Steve Carlson joins later in this same thread.

[lflngpicker]

I heard DataNick play his F5L with his band at the 2018 bluegrass festival in our region and it sounded great on the mic! He even let me grab it for a few minutes. I love the neck and the deep woody bass.

[jimmy powells]

Hi Dave. I went down from Northumberland a few days before you as I asked Trevor to hold it for thre days. I was sorely tempted but the fingerboard extension pick click just annoyed me and these Gibson F5s seem to have it and it is a long extension.

Fabulous condition of course and Carlson signed. I thought I could get it scooped but just didn't go for it on the day and couple of days later you must have bought it.

Enjoy

JimmyP

[Timbofood]

You have all heard my stories about those stories but, when “production” started, I thought “Lord” make it happen! Prayers were answered well enough to make this thread interesting! Rather like “LSMFT”(either translation) but, if you’re old enough to even understand that, we can be happy.
There are good ones and, “not so” good ones, rather like Loar production dates so, it will always be a “win some, lose some” purchase won’t it?
“Life gets tejus, don’t it?” With great respect te “Doc” Watson!

[Dave Hanson]

When I got this instrument it looked virtually unplayed, it's got more marks on it in the week I've owned than the original owner put on it in 28 years.

Dave H

[almeriastrings]

Congrats. These are 'classic' mandolins... they really do have 'that' sound.... the Carlson ones have their own thing going on, and tend to be excellent.

[Ivan Kelsall]

I saw the mandolin on the TAMCO website & had thoughts about buying it myself - however !. I play purely for my own pleasure these days,simply because there's nowhere local to play. To consign such a mandolin,that under other circumstances,i'd have bought without a second thought,to ''never be seen / heard by others'' would have simply been greedy. I knew that Dave had expressed a desire to own one,so i e-mailed him about it,& he bought it. I must say that i'm absolutely delighted for him.

Quote - " ..and great service again from Trevor at TAMCO." What would your expect from Trevor ?. He's a ''gent''.


My own heart still yearns for an Ellis F5,but i'll have to content myself with my little Ellis "A" style which still astounds me !,:grin:
Ivan;)

[Gop]

All is revealed: https://www.mandolincafe.com/news/publish/mandolins_001217.shtml

[MikeEdgerton]

All is revealed: https://www.mandolincafe.com/news/publish/mandolins_001217.shtml

Linked to in Message #9 (https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?140299-Gibson-F5L&p=1664203&viewfull=1#post1664203) above. :cool:

[mandolin breeze]

I had a similar question awhile back, DataNick offered a very concise and helpful response - perhaps you'll find it useful too . . . . https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?124057-Any-quot-bad-quot-years-for-a-Gibson-F5-L

Thx again DN