Black Gibson F-9 on eBay--Is this real?

[recharred]

I never saw one like this. Anyone know if this is a real thing, or is it some counterfeit?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-Gibson-...EAAOSwHLNZTrnJ

[your_diamond]

I'm no expert but here's a link to a 2002 F-9 thread ...if I read that right the top was originally this color

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...984-F-9-Reverb

[recharred]

Yeah, I had an A9 from that year. That's what's got me wondering what's up with this one. If it's been refinished, there's no mention of it in the description. There's nothing obviously out of place to my eye except the color, but I expect others have a better eye for such things.

I actually always thought it might have been cool to refinish that A9 in black. Maybe someone actually did it?

[Bill Kammerzell]

Yeah, I had an A9 from that year. That's what's got me wondering what's up with this one. If it's been refinished, there's no mention of it in the description. There's nothing obviously out of place to my eye except the color, but I expect others have a better eye for such things.

I actually always thought it might have been cool to refinish that A9 in black. Maybe someone actually did it?

Appears to be the case. I just got one with a blemish in the finish from the original owner resting his pinkie. Wore the finish off in one small spot. That seems like a steep price, even with that re-finish. New in '02 I don't think those were much more than 3500.00.

[William Smith]

I just took a good look at it and if that came from the Gibson factory looking like that well shame shame! The black finish doesn't look like it was put on real well, I don't think it's a fake but in this world at that price I'd stay away, I think in 01 when I bought an F-5G it was 3300 brand new so.....

[MikeEdgerton]

In 2005 you could get an F5G for $3500.00. They had to be less.

I think the top was refinished unless somebody got Gibson to do a black top. It's real.

[F-2 Dave]

The label doesn't look like other f-9s from 2002. Don't know if that means anything.

[Drew Streip]

I don't know anything about distinguishing real from fake, but the scroll work looks really rough. On the front (picture 2) the ridge curve doesn't follow the rim -- there's a big "flat spot." And from the back (picture 7) there's no definition to the button.

Like I said, I don't know if that means anything other than 1) costs were cut or 2) somebody got overzealous with a sander removing the original finish. But it's a lot of money for an ugly instrument.

[MikeEdgerton]

That's the same label that's on my 2005 F5G. It's real folks. The only question is who painted the top black? I'm thinking it wasn't done at Gibson.

[PiginaPen]

I bet it was pinky molested and paint was easier than stain to hide it.

[Timbofood]

My brother used to work at an electrostatic painting place and when thing didn't look rightthe motto became...
"Paint it black and sent it back!"
Just Sayin'

[Bill Kammerzell]

I bet it was pinky molested and paint was easier than stain to hide it.

I called Gibson on the wear spot on mine and they told me to leave it. Even said, they "would do whatever I asked them to do," but recommended "not trying to do anything." I'm good.
Here's a link to it. Worn spot shows up in pictures 8 and 10.
https://reverb.com/item/5609061-gibs...002-brown-flat

[Bill Kammerzell]

The label doesn't look like other f-9s from 2002. Don't know if that means anything.

Appears to be the same label I have in my 2002 F9. Must be the black sheep of the litter?

[Bill Kammerzell]

I bet it was pinky molested and paint was easier than stain to hide it.

Even a half baked attempt to just cover a little spot with some stain would be better than a coat of high-gloss like that. Using Mike's number of 3500.00 in 2005, 3150.00 was likely the price new in 2002.

[Bill Kammerzell]

I can't tell for sure? Those pictures of the back? Is that the original brown bleeding through?

[T.D.Nydn]

That's a pretty bad scroll for Gibson on the back photo...

[MikeZito]

I love black mandolins . . . but I would pass on that one.

[J.Albert]

That -is- a gen-u-ine Gibson F-9, but the original finish has been painted over, probably to cover excessive wear or a defective original finish.

Looks like whoever did it, did the whole thing!

I wouldn't touch it, at least as a "potential purchase".
There are plenty of other fish in that sea.

Hmmm… and the price?
Ridiculous, unless someone is foolish enough to pay that much.

That particular mandolin?
Worth, maybe, $900 in that condition...

[MikeEdgerton]

...Worth, maybe, $900 in that condition...

Maybe.

Yeah, it's way overpriced.

[William Smith]

Maybe.

Yeah, it's way overpriced.

Right on Mike, like I said I paid 3300 on a brand new F5-G in 01 so this one must be special

[Bob A]

MAACO Mando. Truly ugly paint job. What happens when you leave a can of Rustoleum and a mandolin where a fool can find it. Hard to believe he didn't overspray the headstock too.

[Bill Kammerzell]

MAACO Mando. Truly ugly paint job. What happens when you leave a can of Rustoleum and a mandolin where a fool can find it. Hard to believe he didn't overspray the headstock too.

That was already black. Leastways mine is.

[fscotte]

If it's a real F9, strip off the Rustoleum and put on a darker sunburst. Piece of cake.

[J Mangio]

I bought my F9 new in '02 for 2k w/ case.

[MikeEdgerton]

That's about what I would have thought it would be.