View Full Version : My F4
Mark Marino
Mar-20-2004, 9:37am
Figured I'd post a picture of my F4. I bought her about 2 years ago, and just got it back playing of late- It had been poorly refinished around the '50's, the top sagged pretty bad under string tension- but a great sound, and crumbling remnants of a fretboard just like the one I replaced it with. A very questionable past and parts list indeed, but after some work, it certainly is a stable player and looker! A couple of drinks, a dimly lit bar, and most of you guys would probably make a pass at her!
What year is this sans-truss rod "4"?
jessboo
Mar-20-2004, 9:46am
I'd make a pass at her with out the drinks in a well lit bar http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
mandoJeremy
Mar-20-2004, 9:48am
So would I!
Mark Marino
Mar-20-2004, 9:54am
I wish I knew. The earlier refinish job erased what was left of the label. It does have a one piece back that is not 'flamed' and the neck-heel is rounded- not pointed like normal F4's. I thought maybe the neck was replaced a long time ago, but the quality of the neck and installation doesn't at all match the poor refinish job. I called Gruhn Guitars and sent pictures when I first got it. Gruhn indicated that "He'd seen a lot of strange things done to F4's, and that it's not worth much". I've got $1800 into it, and I'm pretty pleased, even with no pedigree. Let me know if you see any clues. Thanks!
Spruce
Mar-20-2004, 10:17am
Can we see a pic of the back?
I saw an F4 similar to this one in the Sacramento, CA area in '75 or so...
Mark Marino
Mar-20-2004, 12:28pm
Upon request... the back. The binding is (as near as I could tell) original- although I'm not an expert, and never seen one with a neck-heel like this.
Ken Waltham
Mar-20-2004, 9:13pm
Yeah, I would say that's a totally new neck, and even wonder about the back. Reason is... that wood is different than most teens or twenties wood, and, the scroll on the back looks a bit different than the one on the front.
I will say, though, I find it all very attractive, and well done work, and I think you should be proud of it. You know, I sell a lot of old Gibsons, and have sold some really high end ones.... and, frankly, I think the whole original thing in fretted American instruments can tend to be a bit overdone and anal.
I understand to a point, but, $1800.00 for that F4 is great! I guess, if was 3800.00 we'd have to rethink, but, I'll wager that's one of the finest $1800.00 mandolins you could buy.
Congratulations!
You could possibly spot the stamp number if the neck BLOCK is original.. look up towards the neck joint through the soundhole. That FON could be matched to a year..
Ken, the piano looks interesting too. What is it?
(Sorry to sway off topic, the tuner in me speaks.)
mandoaz
Mar-25-2004, 9:52pm
I've gotta agree with Ken...100% original or not, that is one heck of an attractive F4...
sunburst
Mar-26-2004, 9:58am
Is there any part of a remaining label in the back?
If so, ...this... (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Mandolin/RevealNumber/revealnum.html) might be of interest.
Mark Marino
Mar-27-2004, 1:28pm
The piani is a Kohler and Campbell, made around 1905. #Has great sound for an old upright. #Heavy enough to keep the house from blowing away in a storm!
Mark Marino
Mar-27-2004, 1:33pm
By the way- no sign left of original labels inside the F4, buy the piano has a cast-iron label. as someone mentioned, the back is probably not original. But it soulds great, and I'm happy with it. Thankfully, one can't catch STD's from a mandolin, so I'll not worry too much about where she's been.
Cheers!