Gibson F-2

**Steve Mead** · Feb-03-2022, 2:58pm

Wondering if anyone can help by telling me what year Gibson started putting elevated fretboards on their
F-2 Mandolins. Thank you

**William Smith** · Feb-03-2022, 3:12pm

Hey Steve, they never did on an F-2, "as far as I know but with Gibson there may be the odd one out there" There were a few late 30's F-4's that have the elevated boards.

**Steve Mead** · Feb-03-2022, 3:54pm

Thanks Will, good to hear from you. Have a friend that may be selling one, have played it a few times but never paid attention to the details.

**William Smith** · Feb-03-2022, 7:05pm

If you can get a deal, go for it man! If its an elevated board F-2 that would be great but it's probably an F-4 from the mid to late 30's into early 40's.

**Steve Mead** · Feb-04-2022, 9:08pm

He says it is an F-2 for sure but I not sure of the year (he thought 27) or it the board is elevated. Asked him for serial and fon number but have not received that yet. Said he had a letter regarding it from Mandolin Brothers.

**William Smith** · Feb-04-2022, 9:48pm

If a 27 F-2 that's still a great mandolin, I had a real nice 1912-13 and it was fine toned and not too tubby either. Keep us posted. All the different eras at "pre-war" Gibson had some great stuff.

**Zach Wilson** · Feb-05-2022, 7:46am

I've heard of folks adding elevated fretboards to older models and joining them at the 14th fret as a way of improvement, making the mandolin more comfortable to play. Could be that someone had this done by a luthier sometime after it was built?