Info and Opinions about 1981 Gibson F5L

[EvanElk]

Hi Cafe members - Wondering if folks can share there thoughts on the 1981 Gibson F5L. I have a good opportunity to buy one, won't get a chance to play it as is often the case. Don't know who built/signed it, which factory it was built in and what the general collective opinion is about F5Ls from that year. Any input would be helpful. 80991081 is the serial number. Not sure what information is coded into that number that could be helpful. I attached a photo of the label that the gentleman sent me. I don't see a signature and it appears to be a generic label with Kalamazoo on it, but I think I read that in 1981 the F5Ls were built in Nashville. Thanks in advance.

[William Smith]

I had one around that year, I think a 1980 a little story behind it, Dewey Farmer bought it new and hated it, the graduations were real thick I guess so he sent it to someone for a full re-graduation, I can't remember who but he signed the inside top.it wasn't Randy Wood I just can't remember. I know Wayne Benson owned it for a long time and it was pretty good one, Wayne could tell ya about it if ya can get in touch with him. I ended up getting rid of it to a guy named Ken who worked with Roger Siminoff. And Ken loved it, he pry still has it? I liked it but was spoiled with another Gibson so I didn't play her much. These were a line revamped by Roger but still not the same as the original F-5's from the golden era! I think the tops were all Sitka instead of Adirondack aka Red Spruce.

No these were built in Kalamazoo at the old factory not Nashville.

[Danny Clark]

I had that one also ,I think it was Bob Shue who did the work to it ,it did sound good
Danny

[Bill McCall]

I like my 1980. the price will probably factor into how much you like the one you're looking at.

[EvanElk]

Looks like I can acquire it for $3500, just for your reference as you guys offer your thoughts

[DataNick]

Try to find out the exact sign date in 1981:Why?

Because Roger Siminoff personally graduated the F5L tops from 78 thru mid 81 if memory serves me correctly.

[EvanElk]

I'm guessing that would be a good thing...

[DataNick]

I'm guessing that would be a good thing...

Yup!

FWIW: on the ones I've played the neck profiles/girth have been a little "clunky" for my taste; not a deal killer, just something to keep in mind.

[mrmando]

Serial number indicates a finish date of Apr. 9, 1981, the 81st instrument completed in Kalamazoo that year.

Lots more info in this article, well worth a read:
http://siminoff.net/cms/wp-content/u...of-the-F5L.pdf

This seems to imply that Siminoff was involved in carving F5Ls until production left Kalamazoo entirely in 1983. You might want to see if you can confirm that.

[EvanElk]

what great info Martin, thanks. I'm inclined to snatch up this instrument, but I'll see what info I can get. Bit of a leap of faith as it always is in buying instruments from afar

[EvanElk]

And a follow up reply to you guys - I just wrote to Roger Siminoff via his website on the off chance he might respond and got a very gracious reply in which he confirmed that he worked on the instrument I'm looking at. I didn't expect a reply at all...very cool

[Bill McCall]

The Siminoff article discussing the F5l production that's available in the cafe archives gives all the relevant info. Mine, 12/80 production, I confirmed with Roger that he had carved it. He is really great.

And $3600 is a good price, imho.

[EvanElk]

Thanks Bill - great article. I'm going to jump on it. Thanks all

[jan281969]

EvanElk I own an F-5l dated February. 12 1980 and love it.On a side note the one your thinking of getting does sound like a good purchase price cause you couldn't buy mine for that,ha.I also spoke to Mr. Siminoff and was delighted to find out he tap tuned my mandolin.Love to see a picture of the mandolin in question,here is mine.

[mrmando]

Well, I read the article again in its entirety, and what he actually says is "the increased demand for F-5Ls ... required me to carve boards well into 1980." It's hard to say how long after that his boards were being turned into finished mandolins, but if Roger is willing to confirm that he worked on a particular instrument, I'm sure you can take that confirmation to the bank. Congratulations and good luck with it!

[EvanElk]

Sure - I'll add a photo to this thread when I receive it in a couple days!

[EvanElk]

Thanks. Roger confirmed by serial number that he carved the instrument I'm buying. Now that I have read all the threads folks have sent me here on the cafe, I see that Roger is very forthcoming and a total mensch and I shouldn't be surprised that he emailed me.

[bigskygirl]

I think the F5Ls Roger worked on sound awesome!

[Sergio Lara]

Here are some clips with my 1980 Gibson F-5L signed by Richard Doan on December 18, 1980.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V02ODwRHSQs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI-bWDRoIpE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpQUpehlwPI

Enjoy and congrats on your new Gibson F-5L!

[EvanElk]

cool!! I'm excited to get my hands on this thing!!

[EvanElk]

Beautiful playing Sergio! And your 1980 has awesome tone...

[Josh Levine]

Wow, if it sounds anything like Sergio's you got yourself a steal.

[George R. Lane]

I think the F5Ls Roger worked on sound awesome!

You should know.

[Sergio Lara]

Roger Siminoff and his team really worked hard to get as close to the original 20's Cremona brown sunburst finish color.

Here are some pictures of my 1980 F-5L:











Here is one with my 1922 F-4:



And with my 1965 Fender:

[EvanElk]

Nice!