Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Gibson F9 not signed?

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Winnsboro, LA
    Posts
    76

    Default Gibson F9 not signed?

    I recently bought a used 2002 Gibson F9. It plays amazingly well even with the very narrow nut of 1-1/32. My question is that were the early F9 models not signed because mine does not have a signature inside it. The serial #20214030 if anybody could decode that for me that would be great too. Any info is much appreciated.

  2. #2
    Lurkist dhergert's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Blue Zone, California
    Posts
    1,867
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Gibson F9 not signed?

    My 2002 F-9 also does not have a signature. It has the style name and serial number on the Master Model sticker, visible through the bass side f-hole.

    Signatures are usually on a separate sticker visible through the treble side f-hole. My F-9 does not have the treble side sticker at all.

    I'm not certain, but I believe that is normal for the first standard F-9 series, which started in 2002. From what I've read, some of the F-5 series mandolins also do not have the treble side sticker with the signature.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	2002 F-9.jpg 
Views:	97 
Size:	71.2 KB 
ID:	150858

    I believe that your serial number 20214030 would be Feb 14 2002 and #3 off the bench.
    -- Don

    "Music: A minor auditory irritation occasionally characterized as pleasant."
    "It is a lot more fun to make music than it is to argue about it."


    2002 Gibson F-9
    2016 MK LFSTB
    1975 Suzuki taterbug (plus many other noisemakers)
    [About how I tune my mandolins]
    [Our recent arrival]

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Winnsboro, LA
    Posts
    76

    Default Re: Gibson F9 not signed?

    Thanks for the info. Those 2002 F9s are a great buy when you can find them.

  4. #4
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,874

    Default Re: Gibson F9 not signed?

    The F5G's from that era didn't have a signature label either, or I should say most of them didn't have 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

  5. The following members say thank you to MikeEdgerton for this post:


  6. #5
    Lurkist dhergert's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Blue Zone, California
    Posts
    1,867
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Gibson F9 not signed?

    You're very welcome. I really like mine too.

    Here's some more ca. 2002 F-9 info in case you haven't seen it yet...

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Announcement.png 
Views:	92 
Size:	536.5 KB 
ID:	150859 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	F-9.png 
Views:	107 
Size:	612.9 KB 
ID:	150860
    -- Don

    "Music: A minor auditory irritation occasionally characterized as pleasant."
    "It is a lot more fun to make music than it is to argue about it."


    2002 Gibson F-9
    2016 MK LFSTB
    1975 Suzuki taterbug (plus many other noisemakers)
    [About how I tune my mandolins]
    [Our recent arrival]

  7. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Kernersville, NC
    Posts
    2,593
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default Re: Gibson F9 not signed?

    I kinda dig the look of that vintage brown and ebony on the early F9's. Did they all have flat boards?

  8. #7
    Lurkist dhergert's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Blue Zone, California
    Posts
    1,867
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Gibson F9 not signed?

    Mark, I think I've read of one or two F-9s that were custom made with a radiused board and larger frets. I believe those were from one of the later series though, meaning they are a more F-5ish sunburst.

    Regarding the vintage brown and ebony, I've also been lucky to locate an ebony pickguard and an ebony armrest for my F-9. Sort of nice touches. Pics in my profile if interested.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Wilson View Post
    I kinda dig the look of that vintage brown and ebony on the early F9's. Did they all have flat boards?
    -- Don

    "Music: A minor auditory irritation occasionally characterized as pleasant."
    "It is a lot more fun to make music than it is to argue about it."


    2002 Gibson F-9
    2016 MK LFSTB
    1975 Suzuki taterbug (plus many other noisemakers)
    [About how I tune my mandolins]
    [Our recent arrival]

  9. #8
    Registered User J Mangio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Willow Spring, NC
    Posts
    563

    Default Re: Gibson F9 not signed?

    #20214030 Feb. 14, 2002. The third off the bench.

    Happy Valentine's Day, she must be a sweetheart.

    My '02 doesn't have a signature label either.
    2021 The Loar LM700 VS

  10. The following members say thank you to J Mangio for this post:


  11. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Va
    Posts
    2,573

    Default Re: Gibson F9 not signed?

    Does any Gibson mandolin have a radius fingerboard? Wouldn't that be blaspheming Mr. Loar?

  12. #10
    Lurkist dhergert's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Blue Zone, California
    Posts
    1,867
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Gibson F9 not signed?

    With Gibson, anything is po$$ible.

    -- Don

    "Music: A minor auditory irritation occasionally characterized as pleasant."
    "It is a lot more fun to make music than it is to argue about it."


    2002 Gibson F-9
    2016 MK LFSTB
    1975 Suzuki taterbug (plus many other noisemakers)
    [About how I tune my mandolins]
    [Our recent arrival]

  13. #11
    Loarcutus of MandoBorg DataNick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Fallbrook, CA
    Posts
    3,837

    Default Re: Gibson F9 not signed?

    F9s as a rule are not signed; just the serial# Master Model label.
    1994 Gibson F5L - Weber signed


    "Mandolin brands are a guide, not gospel! I don't drink koolaid and that Emperor is naked!"
    "If you wanna get soul Baby, you gots to get the scroll..."
    "I would rather play music anyday for the beggar, the thief, and the fool!"
    "Perfection is not attainable; but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence" Vince Lombardi
    Playing Style: RockMonRoll Desperado Bluegrass Desperado YT Channel

  14. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to DataNick For This Useful Post:


  15. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Winnsboro, LA
    Posts
    76

    Default Re: Gibson F9 not signed?

    Quote Originally Posted by dhergert View Post
    Mark, I think I've read of one or two F-9s that were custom made with a radiused board and larger frets. I believe those were from one of the later series though, meaning they are a more F-5ish sunburst.

    Regarding the vintage brown and ebony, I've also been lucky to locate an ebony pickguard and an ebony armrest for my F-9. Sort of nice touches. Pics in my profile if interested.
    Mine has a flat fret board but there were a few radius fret from what I have have found. I would love to find an armrest for it as the edges can be quite sharp after playing a while.

  16. #13
    Lurkist dhergert's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Blue Zone, California
    Posts
    1,867
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Gibson F9 not signed?

    Here's mine with the armrest and pickguard, plus you can see I've got a toneguard on it.

    The ebony armrest is from Cumberland Acoustics (as is the toneguard). The ebony pickguard is from StewMac (not available anymore) and I removed the binding from it.

    The finish and everything else in the image is actually a little darker; the flash was hot.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	2002 F-9 with accessories.jpg 
Views:	122 
Size:	827.4 KB 
ID:	150864
    -- Don

    "Music: A minor auditory irritation occasionally characterized as pleasant."
    "It is a lot more fun to make music than it is to argue about it."


    2002 Gibson F-9
    2016 MK LFSTB
    1975 Suzuki taterbug (plus many other noisemakers)
    [About how I tune my mandolins]
    [Our recent arrival]

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •