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View Full Version : Do you like your Gibson F-9



rico mando
Feb-25-2010, 10:18pm
hey every one just curious if its me or the model or just my particular instrument
I seem to see them come up for sale in the classifieds at fairly low prices and mint condition more than once
JUST want to know if i am alone or one of many

I was young and so badly wanted a scroll.

not crazy about mine and want to sell it

hank
Feb-25-2010, 11:13pm
You are to be commended for your up front evaluation of your mandolin that is for sale. I don't know for sure but I tend to believe that each mandolin Gibson builds is from a great blueprint but for whatever reason some rock and some fall short like yours. Unless you play a prospective mandolin first and have developed enough of an ear for picking up on things like it's bottom end/good chop etc. and other leading particulars like you mention in your post you are basically rolling the dice on how way cool your mandolin is going to be. This applies to any model and any price range. The more expensive models may have a better chance of rocking because of grade of materials and sealer/finish technique. Still there are great mandolins and not so great mandolins not only from Gibson but most everybody. The other side of the coin is most people who don't play and only listen(your audience)can't hear the difference between one that rocks and one that sucks so the most important thing is to get a mandolin that plays easily(aka your too narrow neck). Your audience definitely can hear the difference between great playing and not so great playing even if they can't hear the subtle nuances of your instrument. Find an instrument you love to play and sounds good to you then trade yours in on it.

rico mando
Feb-25-2010, 11:47pm
Do you like your F-9 ?


sorry hank i may have edited my post while you were posting
as you can see i have reduced my post to just this one question.
thank you for taking the time to post your reply it is appreciated
and quite correct. i do own many other mandolins and am very happy with them
and every mistake i make and will make is there for all to hear as well.
there is no substitute for skill .

jim_n_virginia
Feb-26-2010, 12:05am
I have only played 2 or 3 of them but every one I have played surprised me at how good they sound. Sound just as good as Gibson mando much higher up on the food chain but just without as much bling.

What don't you like about your F-9?

Maybe it is the setup? If the bridge is not seated properly to the top it will severely affect tone and volume.

You shouldn't have too much trouble selling it if you don't like it.

rico mando
Feb-26-2010, 1:05am
its mostly that my preferences differ from its particular design ( fret size ,neck width ,lack of radius ). the sound projection is great though not as rich in the bottom end and probably needs more playing to open up. the rest is some minor flaws that are easily corrected . obviously i should not have bought it and i seldom play it. but i have seen many for sale and am not sure if that was a good sign or a bad sign. not trying to say mine is a bad one might actually be the best sounding who knows.

thank you for your 2 or 3 yes in favor

John Kinn
Feb-26-2010, 5:20am
As a rule they are highly evaluated in this forum (search earlier threads), but all instruments vary. It may be that yours isnt broken in, since you haven't played it that much. I'm with Hank, if you don't like it, trade it or sell it.The Gibsons hold their value quite well. I have a A9 which should be a comparable instrument, and it's a great mandolin, although the narrower nut was a challenge in the beginning. But now I'm fine with it. Good luck!

Big Joe
Feb-26-2010, 8:22am
I have not seen one that was not a good mandolin tonally. The key is setup. Like any instrument, if they are not properly set up they will lose an incredible amount of power and playability. Once set up properly you may be as amazed as many others have with their F9.

Piper
Feb-26-2010, 9:09am
Have to agree with big joe--set up is the key. Joe took a Loar 700 vs that I considered to be very very good and turned it into a fantastic mandolin. Of course, had a new bridge and tail piece installed, but clearly the set up was the most important factor in turning a good sounding mandolin into a great sounding mandolin.

300win
Feb-26-2010, 9:22am
I've yet to pick a F-9 that was not good. one thing that did suprize me over the years. I remember the first one I ever played, tone wise it was very, very, woody, dry sounding, others since then have had a more open ring sustain to them in varying amounts. Just goes to show again that there are many varibles sometimes in instruments of the same model.

kirkw101
Feb-26-2010, 10:03am
I have played 2 of them and I thought they were plain junk. Tone to craftsmanship, just looked like a woodshop mandolin and played/sounded like one.

I feel the same way about the A9s.

kirk

Perry
Feb-26-2010, 10:30am
never mind

rico mando
Feb-26-2010, 12:03pm
Thank you all for your reply's if i could easily make the neck wider then i would change the frets and sand a radius . don't know why its my my least favorite mando might just be the others in my collection call me more.but the question is not whats up with my mando as i have it here in my hands and their is nothing wrong with it. but


Do you like your f_9

its a survey really
i look forward to hearing more yes no or maybe's

allenhopkins
Feb-26-2010, 5:00pm
We like what we like, and dislike what we don't. An obvious point. The F-9 may be a great mandolin, but not for you. Gibson F-9's have an overall good reputation (other than with kirkw101). You see them up for sale because Gibson's sold a lot of them over the past decade or so, and many people buy them "on the way up" to a more expensive instrument, Gibson or otherwise.

If the Gibson doesn't meet your preferences with regard to neck shape and fret size, rather than thinking about "jiggering" it into a different configuration, sell it or trade it in on a mandolin of equivalent quality that's more comfortable for you. You'll probably have little trouble making a deal for it. No discredit attached to experimenting with a good-quality instrument, and finding it doesn't meet your individual needs.

Chuck Ficca
Feb-26-2010, 5:24pm
I bought my F9 last year, played it for a month and there it sat until 6 months later I traded it for a mandocello. For some unknown reason it just didn't do it for me. I'd much rather play my 1920 Gibson A.

Mandolin Mick
Feb-26-2010, 5:42pm
I love my F-9! Big on volume, incredible tone and the chop chords bark like a dog ...:grin:

MikeEdgerton
Feb-26-2010, 6:06pm
I bought my F9 last year, played it for a month and there it sat until 6 months later I traded it for a mandocello. For some unknown reason it just didn't do it for me. I'd much rather play my 1920 Gibson A.

Considering the difference in the two instruments I seriously doubt it was a deficiency in the F9, it sounds to me more like you have a preference for the early Gibson A sound and feel. They both have 8 strings and the same name on the headstock, other than that those two mandolins are pretty much polar opposites. Not unlike comparing a D-28 to a Telecaster.

Beyond that I like A9's and F9's.

Chuck Ficca
Feb-26-2010, 6:45pm
That's got to be the worst analogy I've ever heard. It's nothing like comparing a D-28 to a Telecaster. How about comparing a Model T to a Mustang?

woodwizard
Feb-26-2010, 6:57pm
Did I like my F9?! I loved it. It was a hoss. I miss it! ...I like my mandolins I have now but I sure wish I had never gotten rid of that F9. It was sweet!

rico mando
Feb-26-2010, 7:47pm
my f-9 has to compete with my 91 master model A-5G steve carlson signed and i am very biased as i have 17yr of sweat and tears(and a little drool) in it.i have slept with it ,i have owned nothing more than it and my dog at one time.it has kept me fed more than once.
john riechman/radim zenkel/pat lawson and many more said that it had a sound better than many similar A-5 gibson they had heard and they tought it was a gem( may be they were telling me what i wanted to hear).nice guys all of them
so to my ear my A-5 is the yard stick other mandolins are measured by.

i also so have a sawchyn A-5 which is quite nice very well made
i will not mention my other 10 mandolins but i have decided to let the F-9 go
there is not so much as anything wrong with it we just never fell in love
it sees the stars i see the moon

so i do not need another mando but i should thin the herd a bit
i guess after i put mine up for sale locally i started to notice them here on the classifieds
they were all selling cheaper than mine and claimed they had little play time on them
thus prompting me to ask
do you like your F-9

and yes i did get to play john's loar ......so sweet!
thanks for all the reply's

MikeEdgerton
Feb-26-2010, 8:48pm
That's got to be the worst analogy I've ever heard. It's nothing like comparing a D-28 to a Telecaster. How about comparing a Model T to a Mustang?

The point was, they are both guitars but they have totally separate sounds and thus totally separate uses. A mustang and a Model T do the same thing really, one is just slower. It's really an apt analogy. Can you play the same songs on either mandolin? Sure. Will they sound the same? Nope. That's why they make more than one model of mandolin. People that love the tubby sound and wider neck of an oval A probably aren't going to be attracted to the slim neck and the bark of a modern F style, no matter who makes it.

Chuck Ficca
Feb-26-2010, 10:54pm
C'mon, Mike, Either an F model or an A model can play really good bluegrass(Andy Statman). Comparing a D28 and a tele is a much farther stretch. Let me hear you play bluegrass on any electric. BTW, your F5G is a great sounding mando.

woodwizard
Feb-26-2010, 11:50pm
I think the point Mike was trying to make is simply that there is a big difference between a vintage A oval hole sound and a F9 f-hole sound/tone etc etc. Different animals. And may be a person just prefers that oval hole sound more. Me ...I luv em both the same. That's why I got one of each. Could be the way he said it that some didn't like the comparison that way. I think I got what he meant tho. The F9 to me has a full sort of bluegrassy sound while most oval holes have a sort of old-time sound.

Miked
Feb-27-2010, 9:48am
I'm late on this one, but I love my F9. When I was looking to upgrade I played an older F9 (old relative to my 2007) that had a flat fretboard and it was okay, but it didn't speak to me. My F9 has a radius, larger frets and was buffed up so the finish has a subtle gloss to it. After getting a professional setup, it has excellent playability and has that nice dry, woody tone that I was after. Sure, you can pick out imperfections in the build, but I'm the only one that notices that. I've had lots of folks pour out their compliments and for now (until the MAS fund is built up), I'll play away and be happy with my F9. :mandosmiley:

Chuck Ficca
Feb-27-2010, 10:34am
Let me, first apologize to Mike for baiting him on his analogy. Secondly, in all fairness, I found the construction of my F9 to be flawless. When I bought it, I tried everything Mandolin Brothers had in my price range, and even had Stan play several for me to hear, from the listeners point of view. The one I liked the best was a '40s F7, I think, that had a really dry sound, but the workmanship looked very sloppy. I guess my point is that since these are all hand made of wood, a very variable product, any one may sound different than another. I guess you just have to just keep buying and selling until the right person, oops I mean mandolin comes along.

tburcham
Feb-27-2010, 11:08am
I think the F9 is the best used mando value you see here on the Cafe. At $2k for a nice example, you're going to get to play it as long as you choose and when you tire of it, you're going to get about $2k back for it! That's what I call great economics. If I didn't prefer a wider neck profile, I'd jump all over the one that's currently listed for ~$2k. While I don't currently have an F9, my Dad has one that is a Monster! It has the strongest chop of any mando I've ever played...I mean this thing shakes your toenails! I owned an F5G and it wasn't anywhere near as good as my Dad's F9 (don't tell him I said that...he thinks his F9 hung the moon (-; ). Many of the folks in my Bluegrass circle play F9's and they're all delighted with them.
Burcham Used Mando Scale (BUMS) - Gibson F9 - 10/10!

Greg H.
Feb-27-2010, 11:35am
Some mandolins just don't fit. I remember thinking about getting a Rigel.....great construction, good tone, but the neck felt like a baseball bat (to me). Needless to say it didn't come home.

Bernie Daniel
Feb-27-2010, 12:45pm
Actually I have played on perhaps as many as 10 or a dozen Gibson F-9 mandolins of vintages over the last few years and probably nearly as many A-9's. They all barked pretty nicely and loudly as far as I'm concerned.

I don't think Gibson lets them out if they do not meet minimal requirements -- sure they might screw up once in a while.

To suggest as one person did that F-9's or A-9's are "dogs" is, I think, without merit or an extreme minority opinion.

As to the OP -- if he does not like his F-9 then so be it -- sorry for him and true its a bit frustrating of course. But as he himself suggests many of the things he does not like about it were pretty obvious prior to purchase? But as noted he should not have trouble selling it they do not last long on most sales lists.

stoney
Feb-27-2010, 5:23pm
Everyone is different--hears and feels different; has different preferences; that's what makes the variety of instruments out there such a great thing. Of all the comments, I think Joe's is the most applicable. It's been my short experience with these incredible little instruments that not only minor adjustments but strings, picks, weather, etc., can make a difference. I've learned I can't really make a good determination much beyond the surface sounds of an instrument until it has been truly professionally set up. I had an f-9 that had great volume and tone (I thought--it was my first real mando) until I had it set up, then oh momma. The same thing happened with a F-5 Fern-- and Collings MF-5V D. Sooooooo, I don't trust myself to make such a quick judgement anymore until an instrument has been set up properly and I've played it for a few months with various picks and strings, etc.. And after all that, I think you really have to get to know, I mean play the #### out of an instrument before you can bring out its best. Having said all that, the F-9, since sold, was the best bang for the buck I've owned for my ear.

rico mando
Feb-27-2010, 7:00pm
If you truly love an instrument why would you sell it ? weird i would only ever sell an instrument i wasn't crazy about and wanted better. i should recheck but seems like only one person kept their F-9 who has replied to this post.most everybody says they are great but hasn't bought one or sold theirs. saying they are OK for the price means that they could be better.

not responding to anyone in particular here with this post just generalizing the response's so far
thank you all for your replies. did not think my post would receive so much attention.

Mandolin Mick
Feb-27-2010, 7:23pm
I have mine and have no plans on selling it. Some here sold them and regret it. In fact, if you follow other threads on F-9s, many have said that the F-9 is a far better mandolin, in their opinion, then pricer Gibsons.

rico mando
Feb-27-2010, 8:01pm
From the gibson web site referring to the jam master which looks exactly like my 2002 F-9

The figured maple necks are carved to the popular “rounded V” profile, with a 1 3/16" width at the nut providing enhanced comfort and finger room across the radiused ebony fingerboard. The 20-fret neck has 13 frets clear of the body, with frets that are a little bigger than the traditional frets on vintage mandolins, a modification that improves fingering for many playing styles, and one that many contemporary players really appreciate.

my neck is 1 1/16 and it feels a bit small oh look they changed that
what bigger frets i guess i am not alone in my dislike of the small wire frets on mine
looks like gibson agrees with me about my F-9 cause they changed them to what i would have preffered

never said they sounded bad though what they gained in volume they seem to lack a little in warmth
good in a jam but not my choice in the recording booth

MikeEdgerton
Feb-27-2010, 11:55pm
...BTW, your F5G is a great sounding mando.

It sounded good tonight. There are just days when they seem to be more alive than other days and tonight was one of those days.

bgjunkie
Feb-28-2010, 12:34am
I own an '07 F9 and love it. I don't plan to get rid of it, even though there are other mandolins that I would like to own as well. I have a friend who owns a Collings MT2, a Colling F (not sure the model, but a sweet black top), a 1920's Gibson A, an old F4, a Gibson F5 - so some really nice mandolins, and he always comments on how great my mandolin sounds. If I ever wear out the small frets I will probably put wider frets on it, but I have grown quite accustomed to the flat fret board.

Now if Big Joe offered to trade the Randy Wood 2-point, I played in his shop last time I was there, for my F9 I would give it up in a heart beat. (I love my F9, but I ain't stupid neither).

John Kinn
Feb-28-2010, 1:27pm
From the gibson web site referring to the jam master which looks exactly like my 2002 F-9


my neck is 1 1/16 and it feels a bit small oh look they changed that
what bigger frets i guess i am not alone in my dislike of the small wire frets on mine
looks like gibson agrees with me about my F-9 cause they changed them to what i would have preffered

never said they sounded bad though what they gained in volume they seem to lack a little in warmth
good in a jam but not my choice in the recording booth

The figured maple necks are carved to the popular “rounded V” profile, with a 1 3/16" width at the nut providing enhanced comfort and finger room across the radiused ebony fingerboard. The 20-fret neck has 13 frets clear of the body, with frets that are a little bigger than the traditional frets on vintage mandolins, a modification that improves fingering for many playing styles, and one that many contemporary players really appreciate.
Gibson has not "changed" the F9, they only have an alternative(and a bit cheaper) model with wider nut and radiused fretboard.It's not "better" or "worse", only different, because people prefer different instruments. Remember Monroe's famous mando has a very narrow nut!
Nothing to do with "good" or "bad".

Randy Smith
Feb-28-2010, 7:52pm
If you truly love an instrument why would you sell it ? weird i would only ever sell an instrument i wasn't crazy about and wanted better. i should recheck but seems like only one person kept their F-9 who has replied to this post.most everybody says they are great but hasn't bought one or sold theirs. saying they are OK for the price means that they could be better.

not responding to anyone in particular here with this post just generalizing the response's so far
thank you all for your replies. did not think my post would receive so much attention.


Hey, congrats on your guys' OT victory!

There are lots of Gibsons on the classifieds (and Webers andCollings), and maybe lots of F-9s because many are being sold. But they have been getting lots of good, free advertising from comments on the Cafe, so they must be good mandolins. People selling their F-9s are probably just doing what everyone else is doing, trying to gather up some money, maybe to buy another mandolin or one they're considering a better one. If you can get use to the neck size, have the setup checked just to be sure you've got the best sound possible. If the mandolin isn't working for you for any reason, put it on the classifieds and don't look back.

I just wish we'd won. . . .

rico mando
Feb-28-2010, 9:04pm
you guys played a great game thought you were going to take us. couldn't ask for a better game to watch

Randy Smith
Mar-01-2010, 1:43pm
you guys played a great game thought you were going to take us. couldn't ask for a better game to watch

It *was* a great game. But maybe winning just wasn't in the cards for us Yanks:

1980 Country with troops in Afghanistan wins Silver in hockey.
2010 Ditto.

Mandolin content: History, like a fiddle tune, repeats itself.

rico mando
Mar-01-2010, 3:00pm
Well looks like i have a gibson F-9 that does not quite live up to the wonderful gibson sound I have experienced so far from my other gibson and my friends gibsons. I have not heard any other f-9 or A-9 so i was curious as how people found them. as far as set up you would have to talk to my local luthier about whether he does a professional job though it was one of his shop guys who did the work i believe. In fairness to the instrument it would appear that i may have a plastic nut which i will change for mother of pearl. i am eagerly awaiting to hear the difference that makes. also i will change the frets so to improve the comfort or feel to my preference.

to describe the sound it would be like making a recording of a great sounding mandolin and then playing it back on a cheap lap top .
its just is missing that amazing bell like tone of my other mandolins. hardly noticeable in a fast paced jam but in a slow song it fails to really open up in those tremoloed double stops.

any way thanks to everyone i didn't mean to come off as a gibson basher
and if we had the chance to sit together you might play my mando and
say huh! where's the resonance you usually hear with gibsons

jim simpson
Mar-10-2010, 8:50pm
Check out the converted F9 on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/2006-Gibson-mandolin-with-Loar-upgrades_W0QQitemZ290409942642QQcmdZViewItemQQptZL H_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439dc80e72

I wonder how the value would be considered for this as it is so different from it's original appearance?

Miked
Mar-10-2010, 9:29pm
A fully bound F9; I've never seen one like that before. It would be interesting to know how that one came about.

JeffD
Mar-10-2010, 11:51pm
Everyone is different--.

I'm not.

In fact I am the only one who is not different.... oh... ummm.. never mind.

JeffD
Mar-10-2010, 11:53pm
I played some A-9s and F-9s at the Gibson Showcase in Nashville. I quite liked them all.

8ch(pl)
Mar-11-2010, 6:20am
When they first came out I had some thought toward the finish. Personally, I think they should have been done clear, in natural wood tones. The finish seems very thin and that medium brown stain may not wear so well.

The one I played, as well as the A9, were both great sounding instruments. I was unemployed at the time, so I could not afford one.

300win
Mar-11-2010, 10:49am
I think one of the reasons they sound so good right from the get go, is the fact that the finish is very thin. Allows better vibration of everything. I think on another thread sometime ago there was a comment made by one of the well known players saying much the same thing, maybe Alan Bibey ?

wsugai
Mar-11-2010, 11:45am
I have not seen one that was not a good mandolin tonally. The key is setup. Like any instrument, if they are not properly set up they will lose an incredible amount of power and playability. Once set up properly you may be as amazed as many others have with their F9.

This is only partly a tongue-in-cheek question, but can we assume that every mando coming out of the Gibson factory is set up properly? If not, I'd be curious about why not? Thanks.