in a few months I'm thinking of getting me a gibson F9. but I wondered.
on paper the Kentucky master models seem to be superior. at least based on my limited knowledge. think adirondack top vs regular spruce for example.
the chinese workers are also apparently well trained so one would think are as good as american workers except they get paid far less thus resulting in a cheaper price for the mandolin. but maybe not. or maybe gibson still does things exclusive to it that make its tone better?
I wouldn't know. This is where I suspect some will suggest I simply try a bunch of mandolins from various models. not gonna happen. I'm too far from the only two shops in the entire country that apparently carry a good selection of mandolins outside cheap toys at guitar center.
I do have a km-950 which I like but when I can afford it, I want a nice traditional mandolin with a scroll. I have a km-752 as well with a scroll and the odd thing is I like its more played in, open airy ringy sound with more sustain but wish it had more depth like the 950, not thin sounding, but I like the 950's depth and dark tone but wish it sounded less tight and more open and ringy like the 752, but keeping its richer tone. I had a gibson F5G for a bit which I did like but had to sell to cover medical bills. but to be honest I didn't find that particular one night and day better than my kentucky. maybe a bit better on the G string but then the high notes didn't sound as good as even the km-150 I have.
so I don't know. the ideal would be to go and try a bunch. since that's simply not an option, I'll likely just order a nice mandolin in a few months from the mandolin store.
the mandolins I'll likely consider will th the gibson F9, a northfield Big Mon, Eastman 815, or a kentucky km-1500.
any input is welcome. and certainly on the question of if gibson is better and if so why? I know first hand names and price mean little. I once tried a weber gallatin and it sounded like a toy to me. like it was stuffed with socks. even my km-150 sounded better to me. (and that wasn't a typo)
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