Gibson F9

[JimW]

I know there's been some interest from a few of the cafe members on the Gibson F9. I just bought this one a few days ago. I'm really impressed with it's playability and tone. It's definitely got that dry, woody, Gibson bluegrass tone. Anyone looking for a F style mandolin in the 2K range should check these out.

Jim

[ronlane3]

JimW, Very nice. I really like mine. As soon as I get a digital camera, I'll post some of mine.

[JimW]

Ok, I took some pictures with better lighting today. Without the mauve chair (satisfied Dale)

[JimW]

Another of the Front.

[JimW]

One of the back.

[JimW]

Last one, a closer shot of the back.

Dale doesn't know it yet, but I'm going to sell him my mauve chair.

[pickinNgrinnin]

I didn't really care for the F9's at first but over time I am starting to like the simple look to them. Nice flame on the back on this one. Very nice.

[Zed]

Same here. Lately i've come to really like the simple elegance of an F9 or a Collings MF.

[markdavenport]

I think Gibson some ante up and
put the dots on the fingerboard...

[Coy Wylie]

The simple look reminds me of an old fiddle. Question: why have mandolins been made so ornate and fiddles remain relatively plain?

[mandobsessed]

The simple look reminds me of an old fiddle. Question: why have mandolins been made so ornate and fiddles remain relatively plain?

Probably because the points might poke your eye out. Thats a good question actually. Any fiddle sages want to chime in here?

[Bob A]

Well, I don't know that I consider fiddles "plain". They're intricately carved, the purfling is probably harder to do that on a mandolin, the scroll is a piece of work, the overall shape has cosmetic augmentation as well.

I do know, though, that violinmakers do not like to work on mandolins. They hate the binding, and are taken aback at the amount of work necessary to open up a mandolin. Then there's the fret problems.

I guess it comes down to what you're used to.