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Thread: Gibson f5 G

  1. #51
    Registered User jclover's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    The difference is that you didn't post it out of the blue as a question as to the authenticity of a mandolin you were thinking about buying from an unknown retailer. It's the circumstances that seem to bring out skepticism. I can show you mandolins with great labels that aren't real Gibson products, there's an entire thread dedicated to them. This one should have ended with the picture, it seemed to take off.
    Guess I will just have to live with the disappointment of knowing my label might be a fake. Fortunately, this F5G will have no such burden! Still, I am interested in your opinion - is it genuine?

    The pictures seem to have raised as many questions as they answered. My headstock does have sharper angles, for example. How sure are you Mike? Are you saying this surely is a 2014 model via those photos? Or are you just saying this is recent and therefore, close enough?
    -Jim

  2. #52
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    I'm sure it's an F5G. I'd want to see the serial number to date it.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  3. #53
    Registered User jclover's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    I'm sure it's an F5G. I'd want to see the serial number to date it.
    Yeah, I agree it is an F5G. I thought the question at this point was what year. Back to labels we go!
    -Jim

  4. #54
    Okay, I'm with you fellas tburcham's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Here are a few shots of my F-9 Custom Headstock. The Flowerpot was not stock...it is a high quality decal. Click image for larger version. 

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    BTW, I'm not saying the mandolin being discussed in this thread isn't an authentic Gibson.
    Tim Burcham
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  5. #55
    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Quote Originally Posted by tburcham View Post
    Here are a few shots of my F-9 Custom Headstock. The Flowerpot was not stock...it is a high quality decal. Click image for larger version. 

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    BTW, I'm not saying the mandolin being discussed in this thread isn't an authentic Gibson.
    That really looks nice -- did Gibson supply that high quality decal? If not did you? If so where did you find it if I might ask?
    Bernie
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  6. #56
    Registered User Wynning13's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    I know this thread dates back a bit, but for anyone interested. I called Gibson after buying my new F5-G about this same issue, (mine didn't have the signature either). They claimed that a signature meant David had built the mandolin in it's entirety. If id doesn't have the signature, it was built, at least in part, by other team members. Now, that doesn't mean he didn't approve it or do a ton of work on it, but simply didn't exclusively build it himself. My F5-G is a bad ass mofo, sounds insanely balanced and dynamics are so easily performed that it makes me sound a little too dramatic at times (lol), and i love it. It's still a Harvey and demands the respect as such, but simply lacks the autograph.

  7. #57
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    I just purchased a new Gibson f9, dated October 29, 2014 AND signed by David W. Harvey. The sound is incredibly deep and woody... Fit and finish are perfect. Your saying that THE Dave Harvey exclusively built my F9!? Doesn't matter because it's a great instrument either way, but now I'm really curious..
    Oh and thanks Wynning13 for the info and knowledge! Hope you enjoy you're F5G in good health for many years
    Last edited by Mandosurf; Feb-04-2015 at 7:11am. Reason: To thank wynning13 for topic

  8. #58
    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Quote Originally Posted by Wynning13 View Post
    I know this thread dates back a bit, but for anyone interested. I called Gibson after buying my new F5-G about this same issue, (mine didn't have the signature either). They claimed that a signature meant David had built the mandolin in it's entirety. If id doesn't have the signature, it was built, at least in part, by other team members. Now, that doesn't mean he didn't approve it or do a ton of work on it, but simply didn't exclusively build it himself.......
    Did you actually talk to someone in mandolin production or just a general customer service at Gibson? I ask this because I very much doubt that is accurate information. Maybe one of us should send David Harvey an email to and advise him of this thread -- he had been known to respond to questions before.

    I think these days (hasn't David himself has alluded to this?) all Gibson mandolins are built by a small team of workers dedicated to mandolin production? The last picture I have seen of the mandolin team was on David's facebook page (maybe a year ago) and it was taken on the occasion they awarded Sam Bush a special Telluride mandolin.
    Bernie
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  9. #59
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Yea Bernie, wouldn't a mandolin built by just a production manager (Dave Harvey) be a Master Model?

  10. #60
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandosurf View Post
    Yea Bernie, wouldn't a mandolin built by just a production manager (Dave Harvey) be a Master Model?
    All F5G's as far as I know are labeled with the Master Model label. Mine is.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  11. #61
    F5G & MD305 Astro's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    I believe mine says "Artist" model or something like that. Its a 2012 Harvey signed 5FG. I think I recall someone here posting that they used to designate lots of models as "master model" but that they quit doing that now and use it only for the top tier models. ?

    Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be changed soon
    No matter where I go, there I am...Unless I'm running a little late.

  12. #62
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Yea astro, my F9 says "artist model" as well. Not that it matters, but I am really glad Dave signed it..
    Not to derail this great thread, but I'm curious as to the tone effects of the rosewood vs. ebony fretboard and bridge? I actually love the way it looks but I'm wondering if a CA bridge I have lying around wouldn't change/improve the tone any.. I know that rosewood as a fretboard material has been known to "warm" up the sound somewhat? But I'm probably wrong.. Just a young mando player trying to gain knowledge

  13. #63

    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Mine is 10/14/14 Dave Harvey signed.
    Gibson F-5G (Harvey signed, Oct. 14, 2014)

  14. #64

    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    I'm just wondering if anything definitive has ever come of this issue. There's an unsigned F5-G in the classifieds and others online for sale as well; the question just seems worth asking again.

    Thanks all!

  15. #65
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Most F5G's were shipped without a signature label.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  16. #66
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Quote Originally Posted by Willie Poole View Post
    ...does that mean Dave went over them with tooth and nail to make sure they were perfect...
    Now, besides pick wear and finish checking, we have to worry about bite marks and fingernail scratches? Just eyeballing them ain't enough any more?

    Nobody, not even Mr. Harvey, gets to bite my mandolins. Though, perhaps, their "bark" is worse than his bite...
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  18. #67
    Lurkist dhergert's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Interesting thread...

    Just to throw another stone in the pond, my 2002 Derrington era F9 has no treble side signature label. It does have a Master Model label with the serial number on the bass side.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Personally I like it -- it's a better sounding mando than I deserve.

    We don't need no stinking signature...



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  20. #68
    Troy Shellhamer 9lbShellhamer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Just adding my two cents, because I can.

    I have a brand new F5G custom, (the Mandolin store), which I purchased last week.

    It's signed by Harvey, and on the opposite label, is classified as an artist series.

    Here's a pic....

    Click image for larger version. 

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    *2002 Collings MT2
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  21. #69
    Loarcutus of MandoBorg DataNick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Troy!

    Whaaaaaaaat!

    Congrats dude! End of the Mas journey?
    Those look sweet...I'm jealous!...well kind of...LOL!

    How about pics of those labels?
    1994 Gibson F5L - Weber signed


    "Mandolin brands are a guide, not gospel! I don't drink koolaid and that Emperor is naked!"
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  23. #70
    Gummy Bears and Scotch BrianWilliam's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson f5 G

    Neck and headstock bound f5g? Nice!

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