"f2" with reverse headstock

[mrmando]

I think we've seen this one before, have we not?

Seller is claiming that a "whole batch" of F2s left the factory with reverse headstocks ... but they can't tell us when! Never heard of such a thing. Of course, the ugly brown mahogany back, weird scroll, and crooked frets on the extension still beg to be explained.

[cooper4205]

That's the same one. Is that a mahogany back (he says its mahogany finished maple )


I wonder where they conducted their "research" to find out about this "Gibson"? I guess if you're gonna make a tall tale, you better go all out.

[MikeEdgerton]

One previous thread

[jackc]

I sent an email to the seller. I can't believe that they are passing this off as a Gibson. For one thing, the shape of the thing is weird. If nothing else, Gibson has always been pretty consistent with the body shape, and it never looked like this one.

Here's my message to them:

You must know that this is not a Gibson mandolin. I'm sure you're getting many emails about this. It's an interesting copy, but it's no Gibson. For one very obvious thing, the peghead is a mirror image of a real F-2 head.


Here's their reply:

Yes, it is actually Gibson. An entire batch of these F2s left the factory with backward headstocks - we have sent photos to Gibson and they have confirmed that they made this mandolin.
Thanks-
Jennifer

[John Flynn]

If the headstock were really reversed, shouldn't the logo read "Eht Nosbig?"

[PhilGE]

If the headstock were really reversed, shouldn't the logo read "Eht Nosbig?"

Close, Johnny. I think it would really look like the one below.

By the way, those pix on the 'bay... gee... uh, what was it P.T. Barnum said?

[f5loar]

It's the same run that ran 7 months ago. Maybe a different seller this time. Maybe they found out it's not real and ready to pass it on to another unsuspecting fool however this time they are using the Gibson Co. as their backup for authencity. I asked them where they read about these reversed pegheads and here is what I got:
"It's not listed in any book that I know of - Gibson told us when we called them about the mandolin."
Thanks-
Jennifer
They must have gotten the floor sweeper when they called.
No way Big Joe or others we know would admit to that.

[mikeyes]

I sent them an email too:

<<I hate to break it to you fellows, but this instrument is clearly a copy of an F2 and not a very good one.

The scroll is poorly done, the back and sides are mahogany, the back is not carved properly, the sound hole is too small, the marquetry around the sound hole is wrong, the top point is facing the wrong direction and gibson never made a reversed headstock. Even if they did, they must have hired Salvador Dali to do that one. the Logo is also wrong - there is a tremendous scholarship on this issue alone.

You need to change the description on this instrument otherwise you are going to have a few problems if someone buys it thinking it is a genuine Gibson F2.>>

In addition, there is a spacer at the neck block on the bass side. Mine certainly doesn't have one. Maybe they asked the Gisbon factory about the reversed headstocks <G>

[mrmando]

Maybe they really asked the Givson company!

I e-mailed them to ask what the factory order number was. They were unfamiliar with the term "factory order number."

[kiprainey]

I remember a similar instrument popped up on eBay a few years ago when I was looking to buy an F-2 or an F-4. The seller was besieged with responses describing the design inconsistencies that made the instrument an obvious forgery. He became more and more indignant in insisting that it was a genuine Gibson.

It was enough of a wake up call for me that I coughed up the extra money and bought my F-2 from Elderly instead. It's a reminder that it's often worth the premium to deal with a reputable company.

[mikeyes]

At least Jennifer is consistent:

<<I have contacted Gibson because of the oddity of this mandolin and they have assured me that they did indeed the manufacture this instrument and I feel 100% confidant that the company that produced the instrument is the final word on it's authenticity and am therefore listing it as a genuine Gibson in good conscience.
Thanks-
Jennifer>>

[blawson]

At least Jennifer is consistent:

<<...I feel 100% confidant...>>

Think the confidant might file harassment charges?

[f5loar]

She must have gotten the Gibson Appliance manfuacture.
Don't they make lawnmowers too? If you she talked to someone in Nashville then let the name loose. We can take it!

[kiprainey]

Pretty odd for an F-2 from the 1914-1921 period to have a truss rod like that. I don't think F-2's had truss rods until about 1922. Someone who knows more than I can confirm that.

The crooked frets on the extension are hilarious.

[pickinpox]

I tried to place a bid in the amount of $Hahahoh.00 The 'bay is not programmed to accept that amount.

[mrmando]

Pretty odd for an F-2 from the 1914-1921 period to have a truss rod like that. I don't think F-2's had truss rods until about 1922. Someone who knows more than I can confirm that.

Am I missing something? No sign of a truss rod cover on the headstock closeup:

[laddy jota]

I find no website for Soundstown and their phone number 828-430-9386 is unlisted per my switchboard.com search, but on the bright side there are no top cracks like all the other F2's I have seen. The bidders indicate that there is still substantial liquidity in the market.

[blawson]

I find no website for Soundstown

Just Google the name, and you'll get their site as the first link. The guest book is an interesting read in spam. Good luck finding any info on current inventory, though.

[mrmando]

The bidders indicate that there is still substantial liquidity in the market.

Most of said liquidity would be located directly between said bidders' ears, if they believe this is really a Gibson.

[jim simpson]

It's a shame that the seller has to part with this treasure. I wonder why they have to sell it?

Oops, wrong thread!

[MASadict]

I wonder what happened to the label?

[atetone]

What I am wondering is how someone could go to so much trouble to build something so, so wrong!
You couldn't stay that drunk for that long could you?

[David Hanson]

I fail to see the point of it [ no pun intended ] if you are going to go to the trouble of copying something how is it possible to get it so wrong ? it is not going to fool anyone with even slight knowledge of Gibson mandolins.

The vendor must be a moron.

Dave H

[mikeyes]

I don' think she is a moron, just star-struck. From what I can tell, Jennifer truly believes that this is a Gibson and is in total denial when faced with continuing comments pointing out that it is a copy. I wrote her twice and her reaction reminds me more of people who choose to believe something because it is convenient rather than someone who is trying to sell a bad product.

She is consistent and is making an effort to reply in spite of the pressure. Most of the time crooks either don't answer at all or become very defensive. Jennifer is just sticking to her story.

I wish someone from Gibson would comment.

[earthsave]

She got taken on this one.