what is the function of the fingerboard extension?

[jmalmsteen]

I just bought this Gibson F5G and noticed that is has an extension that seems to serve no purpose and is in the way when you are playing. My Kentucky km-600 does not have this. If someone can explain the purpose or reason behind the fretboard extension I would appreciate it. Thank you all for bearing with me with my sudden flood of posts!
-Jen

[Jim]

Makes clicking sound if you pick too deep.

[jmalmsteen]

It just seems to be in the way and has no purpose so I am wondering if I am missing something?

[Greenmando]

Also called the Florida peninsula. I watched Chris Thile play the full fret board one night.

[jmalmsteen]

Also called the Florida peninsula. I watched Chris Thile play the full fret board one night.

That must have been interesting to watch!

[George R. Lane]

You might consider having the frets pulled and the wood scooped out. It will make it much easier to play.

[barney 59]

Dave Apollon could actually play up there although I think he maybe had a fret or two pulled. So--- he could maybe play up there, but only in certain keys. People were smaller back when they designed this and therefore their fingers were smaller. This accounts for the popularity of the mandolin at the time. They thought they were guitars.

[jmalmsteen]

You might consider having the frets pulled and the wood scooped out. It will make it much easier to play.

I've read about scooping the frets and did not know what people were referring to, but now I understand. Why wouldn't Gibson just shorten the fretboard? Are there advantages to the extension such as the effect on the tone? When I took the mandolin out of the box and played it, this just jumped out as some poor design feature.
My Kentucky has the shortened fretboard and it seems so much more logical. Especially coming from guitar, it seems absolutely bizarre to have frets under where you pick.

[Jim]

Many just have it removed. Some just saw it off and others have a luthier do a more atractive job. I have one instrument with a scooped extension and I find it still gets in the way, Letting me know I pick too deep.

[jmalmsteen]

Many just have it removed. Some just saw it off and others have a luthier do a more atractive job. I have one instrument with a scooped extension and I find it still gets in the way, Letting me know I pick too deep.

I can't say that the idea of a saw didn't cross my mind! Why would Gibson do this if it is such an annoyance? Are there any benefits to having it?

[mandroid]

Why wouldn't Gibson just shorten the fretboard?

They do, on different models and other years.. I have 2 older A mandolins
they are ending the fingerboard, straight across , with 20 frets .

[Brent Hutto]

Never underestimate the power of "that's how it's always been done" when it comes to mandolins. Just like a lot of people insist on a Gibson mandolin because of the brand's history, a lot of people insist on a fretted "Flordia" extension because of its long history on Gibson mandolins.

And a lot of people scoop or chop that extension because they don't care as much about history as about the hassle of banging their pick on it every time they play. It's a big reason I sold my nice Gibson A-5G and did something different for my backup/travel/office mandolin. I was going to have the extension chopped and it just seemed a pity to go to that expense and effort rather than just let someone own it who likes the darned thing.

[dcoventry]

It's not Bluegrass if it doesn't have a Rawhide Florida Scroll Drum.

Does that answer your question?

[jmalmsteen]

It's not Bluegrass if it doesn't have a Rawhide Florida Scroll Drum.

Does that answer your question?

What is a "rawhide Florida scroll drum?"

[MikeEdgerton]

The F5 was originally perceived as a instrument that would be used to play classical music. That "Florida" was seen as a way to extend the range of the instrument. As has been posted already. Dave Apollon could actually play up there and I'm sure others can and do as well. It's still there because that's the traditional way of building an F5. I scooped the one on my F5G using these instructions on Frank Ford's www.frets.com (well, I guess I started with them). That moment as you sit with a router over the fingerboard on your F5 and plunge forth with the courage of the ignorant is a wonderful feeling. I ended up cleaning mine up with sharp chisels and ever finer sandpaper.

[jmalmsteen]

The F5 was originally perceived as a instrument that would be used to play classical music. That "Florida" was seen as a way to extend the range of the instrument. As has been posted already. Dave Apollon could actually play up there and I'm sure others can and do as well. It's still there because that's the traditional way of building an F5. I scooped the one on my F5G using these instructions on Frank Ford's www.frets.com (well, I guess I started with them). That moment as you sit with a router over the fingerboard on your F5 and plunge forth with the courage of the ignorant is a wonderful feeling. I ended up cleaning mine up with sharp chisels and ever finer sandpaper.

You are a brave guy to do that. I wouldn't go at my mandolin even with explicit instructions. My only interest is playing bluegrass on this. The only classical I play is neoclassical shred guitar like the stuff from the '80's.

[Mandolin Mick]

My Rattlesnake F-5 is scooped. Helps to play in the sweet spot without the clicking.

[journeybear]

It also creates a lot of envy among other mandolinists. Don't think that was the original intent, though ...

[allenhopkins]

...Dave Apollon could actually play up there and I'm sure others can and do as well...

Bernado de Pace gets pretty far up on the "peninsula" as well. (If you don't want to watch the whole ten minutes, he's at stratospheric pitch around 0:43.)



How would you like it if your favorite mandolinist dressed like Pagliacci?

[dcoventry]

What is a "rawhide Florida scroll drum?"

Ah, that'd be pure and delicious sarcasm right there. Hang around long enough, and these questions will bring a smile to your face.

Let's try this:

Question: Why does an already pretty girl wear make up?
Answer: To make her more expensive.

Does that help any?

[GRW3]

My Bighorn has a Florida. Part of my routine session starting right hand practice is to not hit the Florida. My ability varies depending on how often I practice and how I'm feeling but I do pretty well at staying off the fretboard.

[Ron McMillan]

While the very occasional genius might make use of the extension, its inclusion in designs of the F5 over the last 80+ years seem to be almost exclusively a nod to the near perfect proportions and stylistic cues of the earliest F mandolins.

Ever since, other designers seeking an 'improvement' on the F5 and manufacturers seeking money-saving shortcuts have explored variations on the lines of the F5, but the original design was so beautifully thought out that even today, when makers try something new with the headstock scroll or the body scroll or the 'florida' extension, they never look quite right.

I think that the fingerboard extension was a design affectation, a classic example of form over function, and I have had the extension scooped on my F5 copy, again following the instructions on Frets.com. In my case, I gave the instrument to a luthier in Bangkok who hardly ever sees a mandolin, along with a printout of the stage-by-stage instructional photos from the Frets.com page - and he perfectly replicated what I wanted. The result is a mandolin much easier to play without the pick clicking against the fretboard extension - but one whose visual 'lines' closely mimic the classic design that time has told us can hardly be improved upon.

rm

[Brent Hutto]

I'm with Blueron. It's like the scroll on the Florentine models. While it does give the instrument a certain visual identity and yes you can certainly hang a strap there it's there because some designer thought it looked good. Thousands of instrument buyers agreed and therefore it's the image a lot of folks have in mind when they hear "mandolin".

[almeriastrings]

It is a secret test, to see if you have the cajones to file it down or saw it off....

[jmalmsteen]

That is a nice mandolin!