Re: Question about "Bad" Gibson F5's
Cafe´Gibson experts -- and I'm not one –– report that Gibson mandolins of this era are prone to having binding crumble, and have tops that are not well-carved, resulting in inferior sound. There are also esthetic criticisms -- the over-large headstock, block inlays, etc. It's clear that Gibson recognized problems with its F-5's, resulting in the re-engineering that produced the F-5L in 1978.
Your decision of course should definitely be based on what price you'll be paying for the mandolin. The fact that it's a Gibson F-5, of whatever vintage, gives it significant market value as compared to other comparable instruments of the period (most of which were the first generation of Asian import F-models). Clearly, it would be more attractive if it were either earlier or later. Some owners of F-5's of this vintage have had them reworked by luthiers who specialize in such projects, to try to improve their sound. However, that's a significant investment, the cost of which could easily equal what you're paying for the mandolin.
You're taking a bit of a chance, and I'd at least get some really detailed photos to check the instrument's condition. IMHO, finding "something much better for 1/4 the cost" isn't realistic, unless you're paying over $3K for the F-5. But as you've found through research, this is a "low point" in Gibson's mandolin quality, and you recognize that.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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