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frets1
Apr-11-2004, 6:55am
I've found a mint 1980 Gibson F5L and need some info on the mando. info-on-the-mando, sounds like a Chris Thile song
Anyway - Can anyone tell me about this year Gibson? Can anyone give me an idea of it's value? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Life's Short - Pick Hard! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

KenR
Apr-11-2004, 9:02am
This sounds like the first year they came out. I had the second F-5L made. They were terrible! Looked good but had terrible sound. And, worst of all, the neck kept coming off. Took many months to get it back from Gibson and each time the repair job was worse until it finally looked and sounded so bad it had little resale value. I took a big financial loss on this mandolin. I believe the problem was a Roger Siminoff epoxy/dowel neck joint that didn't work. I vowed never to buy another Gibson mandolin after this experience. Take your chances!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

BigJoe
Apr-11-2004, 9:05am
1980 was not a banner year. However, some of them are very nice. They are not equivalent to what is currently being made. Just be careful to ensure it does not need a neck set. If it were in good shape and did not need repair it should bring about $2500.00 Hope this helps.

G.Run
Oct-12-2008, 1:54pm
I have two 1980 mandolins. One is a Gibson F5L and the other is a Monteleone Grand Artist. I have had both of them since the fall of 1980. I prefer to play the F5L. Mine was made in Kalamazoo. Mine is not for sale, but if it were, I would take no less than $25,000.00 and maybe more.

allenhopkins
Oct-12-2008, 9:01pm
$2,500 to $25,000 -- now there's a price range!!

woodwizard
Oct-12-2008, 9:13pm
When you really love something it's hard to put any kind of price on it. I think I get what G.Run means.

jim_n_virginia
Oct-12-2008, 11:04pm
I've never seen an F5L for sale for $2500 for any year. Agreed 1980 is not the best year for a F5L but if there are not any issues it's probably a good playing and sounding instrument, just not as good as what Gibson is building now.

From what I have seen an 80's F5L should be around $3,000. to $3500..00 if it is in good playing condition.

And I wouldn't pay much attention to the year as I would the sound. Does it sound and play good? If it does and you get a nice deal on it I'd go for it and never look back. :mandosmiley:

And as someone who onced owned a 1990 F5L ( I now have a 2002 F5L) an old Gibson is better than NO Gibson I always say! :mandosmiley:

D C Blood
Oct-14-2008, 6:01pm
I had an '82 F5L for a time, and it was great...only reason I let it go was to trade on another mando...wish I still had it.:(