Opinions Needed About Two Mandolins

[MikeZito]

As always, I will try to keep it short:

1. I heard a sound clip today for a Weber Gallatin A Oval Hole mandolin, and I was blown away. It made another slightly-less-expensive competitor sound like a toy.

2. I have also been listening to various clips of Gibson F9's, and Gibson F5G's, and the F5G seems to consistently sound much more 'woody', as opposed to somewhat thinner F9 tone?

Naturally, I am basing my opinions on internet recordings coming through my computer speakers - so I would appreciate any comments from folks with real life experience.

Thanks!

[Capt. E]

What was the "slightly-less-expensive competitor"? I have always liked Weber mandolins. My first "expensive" instrument was a Bighorn (two points with f holes) I bought it because it was just flat powerful, beautiful and with great tone.

[Mike Snyder]

Some of those F9s are pretty powerful. I'm bonded for life with the F5G, but the Roberts-era mandolins are consistently good throughout the lower end of the line. Pricy but cleanly built and classic sound.

[allenhopkins]

Real life experience is that no two mandolins sound identical, so generalizations about all F-9's from one sound clip are tenuous at best. The main difference in Gibson mandolins recently has been in finish, binding, ornamentation, and wood figure. I'm not sure that a visitor to Gibson could pick out an F-9 body from an F-5G "in the white," before finishing, binding etc.

The F-9 (and the briefly-available Jam Master) were designed to be more-affordable, but still "quality," instruments -- plain finishes, limited binding, lower priced. I have played and heard F-9's that sounded excellent. Without an example of an F-9 and an F-5G in my hands, I'd be loath to make a generalized comparison of their sounds -- and even then, I'd recognize that I'm comparing two individual mandolins, which may or may not represent all the instruments of that make and model.

On the other topic, Weber makes excellent mandolins, including their lower priced Gallatin line (somewhat analogous to the difference between F-9 and F-5?). Hardly anyone complains on the Cafe about Weber quality, and Weber owners seem pleased and loyal. The only Weber I own is a Gallatin "sopranolin," and it's excellently crafted and voiced.

[MikeZito]

The main difference in Gibson mandolins recently has been in finish, binding, ornamentation, and wood figure. I'm not sure that a visitor to Gibson could pick out an F-9 body from an F-5G "in the white," before finishing, binding etc.

This was the general idea behind my F5G vs. F9 questioning - I simply was not sure if there were structural differences in the instruments (different bracing, woods, etc.), or if it was only cosmetics that separated the two.

Also - I have to Answer Captain E's question above with an apology for mistaken pricing. The comparative sound clips to the Weber were mandolins that were half the price of the Weber, not just a few hundred dollars less, as I had originally thought . . . so I can't honestly say that the Weber "made another slightly-less-expensive competitor sound like a toy." I will only say the the 'competitor' is a very popular, budget-priced, foreign-maker who is generally respected by Cafe members.

[ollaimh]

i have never heard a weber that wasn't great, across the lines, at each price. i haven't keard a lot of new gibsons.

i am a sucker for gibson As from 1919 to 1924. got three.

[Mike Snyder]

I am not a fan of the Weber voice in f-hole mandolins. Generalization, of course, but the voice is something quite different from the "Gibson" voice. I have been impressed with several oval-hole Webers.

Scott Schmidt down in Oklahoma has a Weber F5 than any Gibson tone person would love to own. So there you go. Generalizing is just too easy.

[KGreene]

I have had the opportunity to play a few Weber lately, none seemed to compare with the sound of my F5G (although its all subjective... or relative to the 'type' of music being played). Ive not had anything but compliments from many who play Weber, Ellis, Bryce and many other Gibson owners.

JMTCW