Gibson F-12

[Hal Loflin]

I just purchased a 1975 F-12 (serial number #371-302) from the original owner and am looking for any comments or info that anyone can give me regarding F-12s. It is all original and has no modifications whatsoever. It does have some wear from playing, dings, etc., but probably the biggest problem is a little binding pulling away at the nut. This does not effect the playing ability though. Any and all info about this mandolin and F-12s anyone can share would be greatly appreciated.

THanks

[AlanN]

You have a later one, with an extended, raised fingerboard. I had a '49 which had the fingerboard glued right to the top, had thin tone. Cool beast, nonetheless.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Actually, a '75 F-12 is a totally different mandolin than the '49 that Alan speaks of. In both cases they are dressed down versions of the F-5, but the 50's and 60's F-12's are a different animal than the 70's ones. 70's had maple necks and binding on the peghead

[Hal Loflin]

Daryl:

Sounds like you are very knowledgable about F-12s....Can you give me some more info (value, "the good, the bad and the ugly", specifics about 1970s era, etc.)?

Thanks, Hal

[Danny Clark]

i to owned a couple one was a 49'the other was a 70's neither sounded worth a hoot,i think the best thing on these is to buy them cheap enough to have them convertd and regraduated by someone like Randy Wood,or Lou Stiver.this runs somewhere around $800-$1000 the last time i checked.
Danny