Any Love for a Vintage Gibson F-12?

[Zigeuner]

I'm thinking about listing my 1949 F-12 Mandolin here on the Cafe. I wonder if there is any interest in that model? I'm aware that the F-5s are rather more popular in the Gibson line. On the good side, it's in marvelous condition and has the original hard shell case. It's been in my family since 1949 as I inherited it from my Uncle in 1982 and have hardly played it.

I was on the Cafe here several years ago and for reasons having nothing to do with the Cafe, I quit posting. I won't quit playing mandolin as have two other mandolins that I will be keeping: A 1964 Martin "A" and a 1917 Gibson "A3".

My questions about listing it have to do mainly with posting photos. Are those done within the listing? I didn't see a place to insert them.

I know that once it sells, a 2% fee is requested and that's really quite reasonable and would be no problem.

I also wondered if it's required to take returns if for some reason the buyer is not satisfied. I'd be very concerned about shipping.

Just curious. Thanks for any responses. If this is in the wrong location, moderator please move it.

[MikeEdgerton]

You get to post one photo on the ad but you can create a photo album on your profile and link the ad to those photos if you have no place else to post them. You are asked if you want to include a photo after you have placed the ad.

You should read the Classifieds Ad Guidelines, they answer most of your questions. The things required will be in the guidelines. as are the things requested.

https://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin...page_button=on

By the way, welcome back.

[Zigeuner]

Thanks for the response. I will review the guidelines carefully before making a listing.
Regards.

[lenf12]

I have a lot of love for vintage F-12s as my main mandolin is a 1956 F-12. I have owned it for about 15 or so years and since I had Randy Wood do the re-voicing 10 years ago, it is a great sounding, loud mandolin. Is there some deficit to yours that keeps you from playing it more? Just curious...

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[AlanN]

I had a '49 F-12, which was thuddy in the tone department. The fingerboard was glued to the top and it was heavy. I considered getting it re-worked, but sold it before that happened.

[Zigeuner]

I have a lot of love for vintage F-12s as my main mandolin is a 1956 F-12. I have owned it for about 15 or so years and since I had Randy Wood do the re-voicing 10 years ago, it is a great sounding, loud mandolin. Is there some deficit to yours that keeps you from playing it more? Just curious...

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

No, no deficit at all. When I inherited the F-12 from my Uncle in the early 1980s, it was new in the case. My Uncle was a Shriner and did a lot of charity work with them in Columbus, Ohio where he was a Chevrolet dealer. One of his fellow Shriners was an executive with Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan and it was presented to him at one of their gatherings in recognition for his service to the Shriners. I honestly don't believe that he ever played it since it still had the factory hang tag when I got it.

With my collection of some 10 guitars and two other mandolins, I really haven't played it all that much. I mostly play my 1917 A-3 and '64 Martin A model, well just because. LOL.

Since you mentioned it, I've just this week decided to keep the F-12 and play it more. I had toyed with the idea of selling it, but I can't bring myself to do it. I did sell three banjos in the past couple of years since "me and banjos" (sic) don't seem to get along.

[Zigeuner]

I had a '49 F-12, which was thuddy in the tone department. The fingerboard was glued to the top and it was heavy. I considered getting it re-worked, but sold it before that happened.

I understand that the low fingerboard is the reason that some will prefer an F5. I'm not an expert on mandolin tone at all, but the F-12 I have sounds OK to me.

[Timbofood]

If you want to send it back to it’s brithplace, I live in Kalamazoo!
I’ve never played an F-12 but, willing to keep it happy for you.

[mando_dan]

In short, most F12s just aren't all that great. Lucky for you that the headstock says Gibson and not Gilson.

[MikeEdgerton]

If you want to send it back to it’s brithplace, I live in Kalamazoo!
I’ve never played an F-12 but, willing to keep it happy for you.

Tim, you are a mensch. The salt of the earth.

[Zigeuner]

In short, most F12s just aren't all that great. Lucky for you that the headstock says Gibson and not Gilson.

I've heard that but I've seen a few in Bluegrass bands now and then. They can't all have been re-voiced by Randy Wood.

Like the Mandolin players, the Martin guitar owners (I'm one) all have to have the very best as well. If only there were enough Lloyd Loar F-5's and 1935 D-28's to go around. LOL.

[Zigeuner]

If you want to send it back to it’s brithplace, I live in Kalamazoo!
I’ve never played an F-12 but, willing to keep it happy for you.

I could be persuaded. It would take some money however.

[William Smith]

If you can get a 12 cheap enough and the last 49 I seen was at a Dealers recently for 2500 and it sold don't know if for less but worth it if you can get em re-worked. I've had a ton of mandolins and for me its the old wood or something? Its the sound I'm used to and like compared to anything new.

[Zigeuner]

If you can get a 12 cheap enough and the last 49 I seen was at a Dealers recently for 2500 and it sold don't know if for less but worth it if you can get em re-worked. I've had a ton of mandolins and for me its the old wood or something? Its the sound I'm used to and like compared to anything new.

Yes, I'm sure that I could have it redone to improve the tone. I won't do that, however since I want to keep it as it is when I received it. It is in near-mint condition and I really don't want to make any changes in it.

Regards.

[Timbofood]

Tim, you are a mensch. The salt of the earth.

Can’t blame a guy for tryin’!
Thanks Pal

- - - Updated - - -

I could be persuaded. It would take some money however.

Well, if you find some,send it to me and I’ll make you an offer.

I will be watching for the envelope of cash that I can send back or, bring back and we can hand it off for a safer trip back to its hometown.

[Zigeuner]

"Well, if you find some,send it to me and I’ll make you an offer.

I will be watching for the envelope of cash that I can send back or, bring back and we can hand it off for a safer trip back to its hometown."

I'll consider that.

[Timbofood]

You’re too kind!
Maybe I should have worded the offer more like, “How much money will you send?”
There is no place like the Café for poking jokes. Have a wonderful day!

[Zigeuner]

You’re too kind!
Maybe I should have worded the offer more like, “How much money will you send?”
There is no place like the Café for poking jokes. Have a wonderful day!

Well, whatever makes a deal. LOL.

I like your quote in the signature.

Another one that I like is from Bill Monroe. If he though something was stupid or he just didn't like it, he would say "Aww, that aiin't no part of nothin'."

I remember seeing Bill Monroe live one time in the 1960's at the old Ash Grove in Los Angeles. He was really something.

[f5loar]

Late 40's F12 are pretty darn cool for sure. Many pros started out using them, then moved up to their prewar F5s. Only 6 (the first for the F model post war II) were made in 1948. Then in 1949 due to the Monroe influence of the Gibson F model and the fact the F5 was not being re-introduced yet, they shipped out 85. The bad part is that early '49 not only had the fingerboard glued flat to the top (like the A50) but also had a short neck like the A50. Then sometime later in '49 they moved it to the long scale like the F5. You don't say which one you have, long or short neck. If you don't know the difference, post a photo here and we can tell you.

[Zigeuner]

Late 40's F12 are pretty darn cool for sure. Many pros started out using them, then moved up to their prewar F5s. Only 6 (the first for the F model post war II) were made in 1948. Then in 1949 due to the Monroe influence of the Gibson F model and the fact the F5 was not being re-introduced yet, they shipped out 85. The bad part is that early '49 not only had the fingerboard glued flat to the top (like the A50) but also had a short neck like the A50. Then sometime later in '49 they moved it to the long scale like the F5. You don't say which one you have, long or short neck. If you don't know the difference, post a photo here and we can tell you.

Hi,
I'll post a photo later tonight or tomorrow. I do recall that the scale is something like 13-3/4" and the bridge falls directly in the center of the F holes.

It appears that the F-12 was not a popular mandolin. I felt better, however, when I saw an article here about Ry Cooder's collection of instruments. He has an F-12 that he electrified with a humbucking pickup and wiring harness for tone and volume.

To be continued.

[Zigeuner]

Here are pictures of my 1949 Gibson F-12.

[f5loar]

Your image did not come through. Happens a lot. I have trouble to getting it to post here.

[Zigeuner]

Your image did not come through. Happens a lot. I have trouble to getting it to post here.

Here you are again. Comments?

[William Smith]

This looks like the one on evilbay right now? I guess you decided to sell?

[f5loar]

it all looks right and original to me except the added padding in the case top. Needed that to keep it from flopping around in the case. Clean. Regular F5 length neck.