1964 Gibson F12

[kodakcollector]

Today, I received what I believe is a 1964 Gibson F12 serial number: 175584

I traded a 1995 Gibson custom tenor banjo for the mandolin and some cash to me. I am wondering how one tells if a mandolin is suitable as is or needs to be revoiced. No repairs, normal where for an older instrument. Newer kluson tuners installed but have the original tuners and the original Gibson case. Neck seems straight with no buzzing and it is surprizingly loud and in tune.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks...

[Jeff Mando]

If you like the sound, then it doesn't need to be revoiced. It looks nice and clean.

[MikeEdgerton]

The brass washers are a little funky on the tuners. If you like it play it.

[MikeZito]

If you like the sound, then it doesn't need to be revoiced.

+1 . . . if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[kodakcollector]

I wonder if the washers are hiding something, i had not noticed them... will remove if i can... thanks

[Jim Garber]

I will bet you those original tuners are fine except the buttons have shrunk. Bad plastic!

[kodakcollector]

I will bet you those original tuners are fine except the buttons have shrunk. Bad plastic!

Can you pull off old, dryed out buttons and replace them with other buttons vintage or new? i have not found buttons specifically for Kluson... just grover and gotoh so far...

[MikeEdgerton]

Can you pull them off? Yes. Can they be replaced? Yes. Can you find replacement buttons that are correct? Probably not. The original tuners aren't anything to write home about. The washers are probably covering some damage when they pulled the bushings (Just my guess).

http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luth...newbutton.html

[William Smith]

Nice F-12, One can make some mods and that thing would be better for it! If your in the know you can pop the back off and re-graduate the inside as them years wee a bit on the heavy side, also the tone bars can have some meat taken off or replaced and put back in at Loar spacing. Once I get my garage built I'm going to start doing these mods as a hobby, you can also trick out certain 30's Gibson A models. If it sounds god now it would be better with some mods!

[kodakcollector]

I bet, its not as easy as he makes it look. I do like the pearl buttons, I will start hunting, I have a drill, I have a vice, I have no skills what so ever!

[MikeEdgerton]

You probably can't do real mother-of-pearl. That's going to be tough. Look at Schaller replacement buttons. They may have to be modified a bit but they might work.

Honestly, these tuners aren't the end all be all. Take a look at the inside of one of these here. Why anyone thought that floating cog was a good idea I'll never know.

[Jim Garber]

I have a 1960s EM200 and I wonder of those original tuner buttons were the same as the ones on mine. They aged to a strange greenish, almost snot-like color. No one makes anything that looks like them but I did find another set to replace mine.

[lenf12]

You may also want to lose that rosewood bridge with the large brass adjustment wheels and get yourself a nice ebony bridge with the small, Loar style adjustment wheels. Cumberland Acoustics is a great place to shop for such things.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Willie Poole]

One of the first things I did when I bought an F-12 was to replace the Kluson tuners at the suggestion of a Mr. John Duffey, he told me they weren`t very good and that the buttons would crumble...I cannot remember what brand of tuners I replaced them with but they fit perfect....

Willie