Loar/New Master Models

[cameron]

I've been talking with some of the folks at Gibson about what options are available on new Master Models.Seems there are choices for tobacco or Cremona(darker) sunbursts,2 or 3 fret sizes,flat or radiused fretboards,one or two-piece backs(even choice of wide,tight or medium curl(red?) maple/all is slab-cut),Fern or Flowerpot inlays,top-bound or side-bound;but unlike some of the Loars,there is no option on a new Master Model Gibson for a 3-piece neck.
#I'm told the reason for this is that back in the day 3-piece necks were used so that they could use smaller "stock".....why is it any different today? I don't get it.
# The reason I was told that Gibson cannot/will not make a 3-piece neck mandolin today is that they are not "set up" for it.
# I guess this question is for Big Joe or Charlie,"How come it's such a big deal to make a Master Model with a 3-piece neck like some of the Loars had?"
# Does it have something to do with the type of trussrod used? (it is the double-ended variety as opposed to the single as in the old Loars?)
# The new Gibsons I played recently(one Danny Roberts- signed Fern and one Charlie derrrington-signed Master Model were both outstanding instruments. Truly wonderful.

[Charlie Derrington]

Cameron,

I guess the best answer is:

We really aren't set up for that option at this time. I could personally build you a three piece neck, but my time is so limited nowadays, I don't know how long it would take for me to do it. We are extremely back-ordered on Masters, as it is, and if you wanted me to personally build you a three piece neck, you might have to wait a very, very long time.

Wish it wasn't the way it is, but (for right now) we just have to live with it.

Thanks for the kind words on the mandos.


Charlie

[cameron]

Charlie,
I'm glad I had a chance to play a Master Model at the Gibson showroom;they are the sound that I feel many,as witnessed by the back-orders,are looking for. I'm sure the back-order wait is well worth it;and, hopefully, is time that cannot be deducted from one's life.
I sure enjoyed my visit to Nashvegas;I especially enjoyed talking with Billy(at Gibson);he is a treasure trove of mandolin wisdom!
c

[Big Joe]

That's not all Billy is full of.... .

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

So, if a guy orders a three-piece neck on a MM, would Charlie go ahead and put a date on the label immediately so that by the time he gets around to actually finishing, it might be considered a "vintage" Master Model?

[Big Joe]

That's what probably would happen. Of course, he probably would not get it started till he retired .

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

Actually, I think my F-5V Fern already has a three-piece neck. Let's see, it has a peghead, a fingerboard and the chunk of wood under the fingerboard! So I guess I won't need to place an order just yet.