Gibson F-5L thoughts

[ABrown]

I like this one made by David Harvey just fine ,did you look at it ,it’s a beauty !
http://www.mandomutt.com/products-pa...14-gibson-f-5l

Go for it, they are great instruments and that is one of the nicest backs I've seen on a modern F5L. Don't let anyone here tell you how to spend your money, it sounds like you know exactly what you want.

[CES]

Kevin was good to deal with when I bought my Kelley. I actually wanted to go pick it up (I’m about 2 hours away), but neither of our work schedules would allow it, and shipping was the fastest route. He had a day job at the time that sucked up his weekends, and I couldn’t get away during the week.

Sounds like the OP wants a Fern and found one with some cool provenance. In that situation, nothing else will do!!

[Todd Bowman]

MAS is MAS and sometimes we have to learn the hardway, but I think you will be happy with a Harvey! I love my 2012 MM and won't part with it.

[GreenMTBoy]

It is on the way !
I upgraded to second day Air so should have it by Friday .
Don’t want that pretty little thing sittin in a freezing wearhouse or truck over the week end !

[stevedenver]

Congrats.
Im sure youll love it.


Aa good gibson has a unique and distinctive sound, and, imho, an unequalled woodiness to the lower ranges and chop. And a certain sweetness to the higher range.

And, i happen to love the gibson triburst. My first mandolin was a ‘35 a50 with a superb deep triburst.

Play it in good health.

And, I suggest from a recent acquisition of my own, long distance, that something seemingly a bit disappointing on arrival can awaken within 12-24 hours. Had this happen recently on a martin custom shop dred i bought, used. It might also be open mind and ears to a new sound....a nights sleep???

A new sound can take a bit to embrace and really hear.

In any event, I went from underwhelmed to ecstatic in a day.....(new strings may have been relevant....lol).

[MontanaMatt]

And, i happen to love the gibson triburst. My first mandolin was a ‘35 a50 with a superb deep triburst.
).

I'm not a sunburst aficionado...how is this mando's sunburst different? I don't see "tri" colors.

[stevedenver]

Many mandos have yellow to brown/sepia. Tobacco burst, and other names given to particular hues and shades of the various browns gibson has used. Ice tea, desert sunset, ad nauseum,



These twenties styled ferns go from amber, to a slightly bluish red to brown. Three distinct bands of color instead of the more common two bands.

Fwiw often the red doesnt get captured in photos, and looks deep brown instead.

The ops f5 has this. I think if you saw a cremona finish, yellow to brown, you would be able to distinguish the difference more easily. Find a gibson es175 on line for an example.

Also, its analine dye, and can fade with uv exposure. Mine has from sitting in the bright Colorado summer light, even though i was always shaded..it no longer has the intense red, but a reddish iced tea tone.

[GreenMTBoy]

Got it ,this sums it up ,I love it ,it is beautiful , it sounds great ,strong everywhere up and down the neck ,every string ,very impressed ,very happy .the end !

[GreenMTBoy]

One more thing .....Thank you everybody for your comments ,much appreciated

[Charles E.]

Happy pickin! Kevin is a great guy to deal with.

[almeriastrings]

Got it ,this sums it up ,I love it ,it is beautiful , it sounds great ,strong everywhere up and down the neck ,every string ,very impressed ,very happy .the end !

Fantastic. I have owned and played a lot of mandolins over the years... out of all of them, the three that really stood out have been my lovely Ellis F5 Special, my Harvey-signed Fern and a very nice Heiden that evaded capture.. top tier mandolins. All very different but equally nice.

[Bernie Daniel]

Well instead of buying a old oval Gibson I have been stricken with Fernmonia and am thinking about trading up to get this http://www.mandomutt.com/products-pa...14-gibson-f-5l
Buying it without playing it ,going on Kevin’s word that it is ecxceptional .
There’s just no cure for this mandolin disease !just when you think you are done with it wham it comes back even stronger then before !

Good catch and I'm sure you find it a typical David Harvey product -- i.e., an awesome to merely excellent mandolin.

[GreenMTBoy]

Fantastic. I have owned and played a lot of mandolins over the years... out of all of them, the three that really stood out have been my lovely Ellis F5 Special, my Harvey-signed Fern and a very nice Heiden that evaded capture.. top tier mandolins. All very different but equally nice.

I never played a Heiden ,one of these days ! I have a Ellis A-5 Special #455 ,just starting to open up and it is lovely .
Feeling very blessed to get a hold of this Harvey Fern .i am going down it quantity ,thinning the herd I just need a couple good ones and I’m going to be satisfied ....I think !

[CES]

Congratulations!