Gibson A9

[dhergert]

Fair enough, point taken. I am sure there are many happy F-9 and A-9 owners out there.

Just out of curiosity, who was behind the development of the 9 series mandolins at Gibson when those were built?

Given the year, I'd guess Charlie Derrington had at least something to do with the F-9 and A-9 concepts. He talked a lot about them in this interview (see Q1 and Q5).

Here's the original F-9 announcement from 1/22/02:

[pheffernan]

Hey y'all, just to bring this back to life... What is a good price for a "like new" Gibson A9?

$1400 https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/153710#153710

[Charles E.]

Dhergert, thanks for that information. Very informative.

pheffernan, that has to be the best looking A-9 I have ever seen! How did that back slip into the mix?

If they were introduced in 2002, did the later ones get better, finish and wood wise?

[seg]

Ha! I knew one would show up in the classifieds soon!!!!

[dhergert]

Dhergert, thanks for that information. Very informative.
...
If they were introduced in 2002, did the later ones get better, finish and wood wise?

You're welcome!

The 2002 and 2003 F-9's (and I'm guessing A-9's) finish was the "Vintage Brown". After that they began looking more like the F-5G, including the sunburst finish (matte), white binding on the body, and fingerboard dots.

The wood varies on these instruments, including on the early ones. Here's the back of my 2002 F-9:



Edit: FWIW, here's the F-9 page from the old OAI section:

[pheffernan]

pheffernan, that has to be the best looking A-9 I have ever seen! How did that back slip into the mix?

The nicest one Dennis has ever seen is $1999:

https://themandolinstore.com/product...9-coming-soon/

[rcc56]

For the same price:

1998 Flatiron A-5 Artist at Lark Street Music, very nice, NFI [I don't know how to link this one]
You get a nice finish instead of a Gibson logo.

-- or --

For $300 more:

http://www.guitars.com/inventory/mf9...14-collings-mt [also NFI]

[rcc56]

software duplicated the post for some reason.

[goose 2]

My main instrument is an '03 DMM but I also have an '02 A-9. I always love playing that thing. I have played several and liked every one that I have played. I have never played an instrument that sounded better in that price range. I have played some that were prettier in that price range but they sure didn't sound near as good to me. The F-9s that I have played are great as well.

[kilowhiskey99]

I actually had the one Ty has in the classifieds for $1400. I thought it had a pretty good tone for the money and has a pickup and good finish.

I see A9s going anywhere from $1000 to $2000, I think a lot depends on their condition, people seem to be rough on them for some reason. Also that satin finish can get shiny spots easily.

I’ve had an F9 and A9, they both sounded good for the money.

[dhergert]

... people seem to be rough on them for some reason. Also that satin finish can get shiny spots easily. ...

I suspect it isn't rough treatment... The lacquer finish on my early (2002) F-9 is interesting that way, it's thin and soft enough that it's very easy to accidentally put marks in. So soft that I've wondered if it was varnish a few times. Also the finish is thin enough that the finish on the back of the neck wears through very quickly, which is a big part of the reason I felt ok to have the neck re-profiled and speed necked. I baby my F-9 and it's still got lots of marks in it. In contrast, my $199 MK F-style is like a tank as far as its poly matte finish is concerned.

I have also noticed the shiny spots developing on my F-9's top, so in regular cleaning (every few weeks), I've intentionally been gently rubbing it out and by now the top is actually a gloss finish top now. I suspect from this experience that those early matte Vintage Brown finishes were simply normal gloss lacquer that was sprayed on over the stain with a slightly higher air ratio, and then simply not rubbed out. I haven't taken the time to rub out the back and sides on my F-9, but I'm pretty sure the results would be the same.

Here's a fairly recent pic of mine, you can see the top's glossy finish mostly from the level of the end of the fingerboard on down.

[jim simpson]

Don, yours looks very nice and I like the pickguard on it. My F-9 project is the same year as yours.

[dhergert]

Don, yours looks very nice and I like the pickguard on it. My F-9 project is the same year as yours.

Thank you!

I'm rooting for you with your project, a lot of potential there!

[NYmando]

Hi Charley - Although I haven’t played many, I’ve always had Gibson envy. The price range discussed in this thread is appealing to me, so I’m wondering which “small shop” mandolins you like, and I’ll check them out. I’ve had a older Breedlove that was sweet but dead, projection-wise. I’ve disliked every Kentucky I’ve tried as they sound thin. I play a J.Bovier now and love the tone but wish it was a little louder. Just curious as to what you like.

[J Mangio]

This is the backside of my bought new in ‘02 F9, and sold in ‘19, sure was a looker.