Gibson Fern vs F5G

[billruns]

Why the big price difference between a Gibson Fern and your basic F5G? Is it all for the bling or what? I guess I am asking is it worth the difference?

[George R. Lane]

The Fern has more bling than the F5G. Bruce Weber, who developed the F5G told me there was no difference in the construction and no difference in tone. Is it worth it, that is up to you the buyer.

[billruns]

Seems like a lot of money for bling

[George R. Lane]

I agree, but some folks have to have their bling. I prefer tone over bling.

[Timbofood]

Yep, billruns, it's like "YUGO" or Mercedes, they both get you there but, there is the whole issue of "style".
George, I would say the mandolin in your avatar is pretty stylish.

[T.D.Nydn]

Tone over bling,,but with the fern you have both,the tone and the bling....

[MikeEdgerton]

I chose my F5G for the way it sounded. That and I like flowerpots on the headstock more than ferns.

[almeriastrings]

The current F5G's have a rosewood fingerboard vs. ebony on the Fern. Older models will still have ebony, however.

[George R. Lane]

Timothy,
Yes she is quite spectacular looking. I originally ordered a standard Yellowstone, but when I went to the shop to pick out the woods my good friend Bruce Weber and Brett Byers decided to make a few upgrades without letting me have any say. I guess that is what good friends are for. And she does have a beautiful voice.

[DataNick]

billruns,

A good thread here on differences in Gibson models Gibson F9-F5G-F5L

+1 to what everybody else said and to elaborate further on George's initial post, Steve Carlson said that the F5G was developed to "boost" sales, and that Mr. Weber suggested the appointment scheme be templated from the Flatiron A5jr: top binding, no fingerboard or headstock binding, etc. The F5G and Steve Carlson Steve starts giving a detailed history of the project starting in post #18

[f5joe]

I'll take tone and bling please!

However, most F5G's I've touched were fantastic values.