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Thread: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

  1. #1

    Default Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    Did searches, etc.

    Korina back and sides, spruce top. Dave Harvey signed.

    Appears that people don't like the looks, however the wood gets great reviews for tonal quality as far as I can tell.

    Personally, I'm fine with the looks.

    Had it played for me on the phone and had a video sent to me. For me, it worked. (As well, there is a trial period).

    Looking forward to having it in my hands.

    Anyone else have one of these?

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Should be here shortly.
    Last edited by LKN2MYIS; Jul-22-2019 at 7:02pm.

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  3. #2
    Registered User Joey Anchors's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    Looks amazing!
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  5. #3

    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    Thank you, Joey Anchors!

    I like the looks as well.

    I also like the looks of the old birch backed mandolins.

    Priority wise, of course, it's sound and playability first. But if you have an instrument you like the look of, I think you tend to pick it up more. Just my opinion.

    Not being a bluegrass guy, the sound works for me.

  6. #4
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    Maple top? Looks like spruce to me.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  7. #5

    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    Thanks for pointing that out.

    Top is aged spruce.

    I corrected the OP.

    Had a guitar I'm selling on my mind and typed quicker than I thought!

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  9. #6
    Barn Cat Mandolins Bob Clark's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    I can't imagine why people wouldn't like the way it looks. I think it's gorgeous. If it sounds near as good as it looks, I think you have a keeper. Lucky you!
    Purr more, hiss less. Barn Cat Mandolins Photo Album

  10. #7

    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    You need to play Corina Corina on it. Tell the naysayers "I love Corina tell the world I do!"
    Last edited by CarlM; Jul-22-2019 at 9:44pm.

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  12. #8
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    That is one fine looking F-5! Isn't that wood a Hawaiian wood? I'm impressed with all that David Harvey and his small crew have been building-Did ya'll see he's doing a short run on the PeeWee Lambert F-5 "complete with the short fern!" Awesome!

  13. #9
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    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    Korina isn’t Hawaiian, it’s African. Also known as Limba. It’s most notable use on musical instruments has been on solid body electric guitars, especially Gibson Explorers and Flying Vs. It is not nearly as hard as the typical back and side woods usually found on mandolins. With a Janka hardness of 690 it is in fact rather soft for a hardwood. Tonally speaking (not botanically) it is regarded as a close relative of mahogany. So I would expect the tonal profile of this mandolin to be much like a mahogany backed instrument. Mellower than maple, with pronounced midrange. Should have a sweet tone but it may lack that sharp percussive snap that maple adds.
    Don

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  15. #10

    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    Quote Originally Posted by William Smith View Post
    That is one fine looking F-5! Isn't that wood a Hawaiian wood? I'm impressed with all that David Harvey and his small crew have been building-Did ya'll see he's doing a short run on the PeeWee Lambert F-5 "complete with the short fern!" Awesome!
    Korina is from Africa, at times referred to Limba (just Limba or Black Limba/White Limba) I think the appearance, or the disfavor of its appearance rather is likely due to it being on the plain side certainly if one were to take the traditional figured maples of the F mandolins into consideration. Even when flat sawn, such as the apove; it doesn't really have much flair to it. I think the above is likely White Limba but I can't be positive. Black Limba at times has what I would almost akin to a spalted look.
    Korina was used on those original, futuristic Gibson Explorer and V instruments in the late 50's and they command an extreme dollar these days. It is a very nice sounding wood and I imagine this example above has a pleasant tone that would be darker yet more round and less punchy than a figured maple example.
    Nice find, and good luck with it!

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  17. #11

    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    Quote Originally Posted by multidon View Post
    Korina isn’t Hawaiian, it’s African. Also known as Limba. It’s most notable use on musical instruments has been on solid body electric guitars, especially Gibson Explorers and Flying Vs. It is not nearly as hard as the typical back and side woods usually found on mandolins. With a Janka hardness of 690 it is in fact rather soft for a hardwood. Tonally speaking (not botanically) it is regarded as a close relative of mahogany. So I would expect the tonal profile of this mandolin to be much like a mahogany backed instrument. Mellower than maple, with pronounced midrange. Should have a sweet tone but it may lack that sharp percussive snap that maple adds.
    Haha...looks like we're much of the same mind on Korina

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  19. #12
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    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    Great minds think alike, obviously Hermann. But I beat you by six minutes!
    Don

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  20. #13

    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    First, you guys are MUCH more knowledgeable than I. One of the reasons this is such a great forum.

    I was looking for something a little less sharp in tone with more mids and a tad sweeter. When I heard this, I thought it fit the bill.

    It reminded me in some tonal characters of an F4 I was in custody of for a while that had birch back and sides.

    I'm surprised no other owners have chimed in. I'd like to hear their input.

  21. #14
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    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    I find the appearance of this mandolin quite appealing, both top and back. I hope you enjoy the tone too!
    Just for comparison, this is a uke I'm building from Black Limba; obviously a much different look.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Joe

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  23. #15

    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    That is interesting figuring!

  24. #16
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    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    Tis a pretty lady surely. When I first looked at the pic my aging gray matter thought " Huh looks kind of like mahogany". Softer wood softer tone ? … I would be tempted to mount a pickup in this instrument just to see what she sounds like through the wires. Enjoy R/
    I love hanging out with mandolin nerds . . . . . Thanks peeps ...

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  26. #17

    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    Quote Originally Posted by UsuallyPickin View Post
    Tis a pretty lady surely. When I first looked at the pic my aging gray matter thought " Huh looks kind of like mahogany". Softer wood softer tone ? … I would be tempted to mount a pickup in this instrument just to see what she sounds like through the wires. Enjoy R/
    I'm not sure that softer tone equates to less volume. To me, it sounded more rounded and less biting, but not quieter.

    Obviously I'll know more when I get it.

  27. #18
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    Quote Originally Posted by William Smith View Post
    ...Isn't that wood a Hawaiian wood?...
    You're thinking of koa, IMHO.
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  29. #19
    Registered User Roger Adams's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    It seems that Gibson is coloring outside of their own traditional lines.

    Check out the F5 Black Night.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=iLFqv73Rry8
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  30. #20

    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    Quote Originally Posted by Roger Adams View Post
    It seems that Gibson is coloring outside of their own traditional lines.

    Check out the F5 Black Night.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=iLFqv73Rry8
    That may very well be.

    The one I am buying was built in 2012, so they have been doing it for a bit of time.

  31. #21
    Registered User Mando Mort's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    what about the one in your ID photo? It sure looks good.
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  32. #22

    Default Re: Gibson F5C - Korina back and sides

    Yes, it is good. A wonderful sounding Girouard mandolin.

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